Would appreciate any advice please on the above, would like to purchase a decent pair that stay sharp for yonks, fabric only. Quite a few on trademe, mundial sound top of the line? But whats a good general size? are the measurements taken from the blade only? or from the handle to the tip of the blade, What size do you use? 8" or 9"....speaking for general home sewing. Many thanks.

beebb3 - 2021-09-28 14:04:00

I have been told that if I cut paper with dressmaking scissors, they will go blunt. But not if I cut fabric. I do not believe that.

trade4us2 - 2021-09-28 17:35:00

And NEVER let anyone else touch your dress making scissors
I have Xlasse ones- 11 inch used for patchworking many many years, never needed sharpening.
Buy the best you can afford for a lifetime of pleasure, like your kitchen knifes

And try them for comfort and weight.

lilyfield - 2021-09-28 17:45:00

I found this about scissor length :)

https://www.bing.com/search?q=measuring+scissor+length&c
vid=14e79b233c8e4e0f89a4a944098a60b5&aqs=edge..69i57.813
9j0j1&pglt=2211&FORM=ANNTA1&PC=ACTS

I have had mine since I was 16 (I'm 57 now) when I bought a very expensive pair of scissors, German made, all steel and reasonably weighted. I've only ever had to sharpen them once and they will last many lifetimes.

The advise given here is awesome, buy what you can afford and what is comfortable to use. They are never used on paper (I have a cheap pair for that) and heaven help anyone that uses them for anything other than fabric. Even my dad learned that when he lived with us lol. I also have a rotary blade but still go back to my scissors.

kiwimade64 - 2021-09-29 07:26:00

I got some nice looking Bessey shears for au$12 when I was there visiting daughter about 2018 - glad I have only used them for material & wished I'd bought more, as they have been awesome.. also got some small Peace scissors via trademe & they have also been pretty good as well

urbanrefugee54 - 2021-09-29 22:48:00

trade4us2 wrote:

I have been told that if I cut paper with dressmaking scissors, they will go blunt. But not if I cut fabric. I do not believe that.

My mother was a tailoress/seamstress and she said the same! No way were we allowed to use her scissors for anything.

cherrylane2 - 2021-10-12 18:47:00

urbanrefugee54 wrote:

I got some nice looking Bessey shears for au$12 when I was there visiting daughter about 2018 - glad I have only used them for material & wished I'd bought more, as they have been awesome.. also got some small Peace scissors via trademe & they have also been pretty good as well

I have also bought inexpensive scissors once or twice that have turned out to be really, really good. Generally tho' you do get what you pay for. The most disappointing IMO are the 'mid' priced ones. They seem to take the worst from both ends - are relatively expensive, don't retain their sharp edge and definitly don't stand up to sharpening more than once or twice.

brouser3 - 2021-10-13 14:45:00

Well just letting you know, I purchased a pair of Kai 7250 shears, and man oh man are they fantastic!! Like cutting through butter, feel so good in my hand, cannot speak highly enough about them. Bought them here on trademe. Had heard about them, looked at online reviews and I thought right, gunna get these. Just fantastic, glides and cuts like no other. Top investment if you do alot of sewing etc.

Edited by beebb3 at 6:44 pm, Sun 17 Oct

beebb3 - 2021-10-17 18:41:00

I will add a recommendation for Kai scissors, they are amazing.
I did a lot of online research before buying my first pair and I wasnt disappointed at all. The first pair I bought were Kai N5520 (I have small hands so wanted the smaller size) and I was genuinely shocked at how well and easily they cut through even really thick fabric.
And then I discovered they also make a model # N5520L, which is the same scissors only they are 'lefties'.
Lefties are not the same as left-handed scissors. Left handed scissors are made for left-handed people and the hand grips and blades are left-handed.
Lefties are for right-handed people who use scissors with their left hand. The hand grips are for left-handed but the blades are for right handed cutters.
Initially I was skeptical, I couldnt envision how the blades being different would matter, but, wow, it certainly does. I never knew a pair of scissors could be so comfortable and easy to use. My hand no longer gets sore after just a few minutes cutting and my cutting is much more accurate.
I've had my scissors for over a year now and they are still as sharp as when I bought them, and I've used them a lot. I wouldnt even say these were expensive, when you look at what some of the top brands sell for.
Great scissors, highly recommend them.

Edited by tam-n-sav at 8:00 am, Mon 18 Oct

tam-n-sav - 2021-10-18 07:59:00