Does a seam ripper get dull/blunt? Lately, when I use mine, it seems like it's more difficult to remove stitches.

Sure it does, just like any other blade ~ it will get dull and need to be replaced.

I think mine needs to be replaced more than normal because I use it so much. :-) :-) :-)

Yes, and the chance of actually ripping into your fabric increases. Ask me how I know.

I am having a very loving relationship with mine (all of them). When I sew I make sure there is one in hand, because I know I will need it. I keep several, because when one needs to be replaced, there is another one.

Yes they definitely do get dull, and mine are at the point right now lol. I use mine more than others as well. Especially when I try to do "sleepy sewing" NOT a good idea ;)

Guess I need to replace mine, since I probably wore out it taking apart about 80 half triangles sewn together!

this is so true, and it depends on how much you use it.

I just bought a couple more, as mine were dull. Wish I could sharpen them!

The wonderful owner of my LQS told me that the one thing quilting ladies/gentlemen never replace are their seam rippers and it should be the one gift they treat themselves to.....

I get a new one about ever 6 months (I rip a lot LOL)

I have 4 of them right now...one is going to be retired soon LOL I do keep a dull one for other uses though :wink:

Yes, and I have replaced mine recently. I can tell when the threads don't cut as quickly, and I have to keep going over it.

sssssshhhhhhhh.........i hid my seam ripper (spoken in a whisper ) so I wont make any mistakes..... :lol: :lol:
I will let you know if it works....

I like to use small sissors better than the seam ripper. But I must say I never thought about them getting dull.

There is a surgical seam ripper out there that comes with replacement blades. I love them and have sold A LOT of them at my quilt retreats. I have everybody hooked on them. They cost more up front but I think are well worth the extra cost.

what about the lighted seam ripper? Anyone got opinions on that? I bought one, personally not impressed!Seam ripper works well, but as far as the light goes,not so much!

This sounds like a good idea. Is there a brand name or certain way I should look it up on the 'net? Or do you get them at an lqs?

Its a good idea to replace your seam ripper sometimes. Yes, they can become dull. You don't notice the how dull they are until you repace it with a sharp one.

Doyou realize that there are different size seam rippers?
It's a good idea to look at the "shaft" of the seam ripper because some are very large and if you are sewing with smaller stitches, you would have a hard time use the larger one.
Just a" for you info".

One of my friends was COMPLAINING about un-sewing. I looked at her seam ripper, asked "how old is it?" She said "it's the one that came with the sewing machine" (sewing machine is probable 20 yrs old). I MAKE HER buy a new seam ripper. Then she is saying "OMG, OMG this is so much easier".

About the 'Lighted' seam rippers. IMHO not worth the money. The blade area is to thick and not to sharp. Light idea is great, but.... I will stick to my little white clover.

:lol:Martina, shortly after I posted the question, I ripped a tiny hole in the backing. Thankfully, the patterned backing will hide my repair.

Thanks for the replies. I use my ripper a lot so I'm going to get a new one today.

Yeah...who knew? I only discovered how nice a new one is when someone gifted me with a really nice Fons & Porter one. I had inherited mine from my Mom...didn't know there was such a thing as a sharp seam ripper :oops:

I was surprised at a recent quilt class I went to and so many of the quilters had the cheap blue handle seam rippers. I loaned my Clover seam ripper to the lady next to me and she was beside herself at how great it was. She went to every one of her friends and said try this. Then she said she always bought the cheap ones, didn't think the more expensive ones were worth it and now she knows better. I use the Gingher seam ripper, the best I've ever used but it doesn't leave my sewing room.

My husband has sharped them. But the cost for a new is very cheap. I live 25 to 30 miles away from a place to get them.If I need it sharped it's nice to know he will sharpen them. I keep two because I lose them. Not so much since I cleaned my sewing room.

I use the cheap blue handled one and they work great. It is small enough to get in the stitch and point is not sharp enough to make a hole in fabric, when used carefully.

I have used disposable eyebrow razors. They are small and inexpensive. You gently pull apart the fabrics and cut the threads. It's fast. You can buy those razors in the cosmetic dept. at your pharmacy.

I've use the eyebrow shapers for removing machine quilting. They work great. I use my rotary cutter a lot for removing stitches. It's not as easy as you think it would be to cut the fabric with the rotary cutter. But my Ginger is the best and it glides through the stitches, no picking needed.

I use a seam ripper for some 'repairs' but if it is a seam the be torn out I use a 30 - 40 year old (or older) disposable scalpel! My sister is a nurse and used to work in the OR. She gave me several and I still have two left. They work great! Never thought about seam rippers going dull. Who knew? O.k. a lot of you knew and that is why the rest of us are here - to learn. Thanks!

Here is a link for the Gingher seam ripper. JoAnn's has it and a coupon is good if it's not on sale.

http://www.sonomacutlery.com/store/p...6&cat=0&page=1

I have 3 seam rippers right now, one at my machine, one at my cutting table, and one on my ironing board under a piece of elastic I tied onto the board. One is very fine, the others the cheap blues. Toss them when they slow you down and don't give it a second thought. I will look into the Gingher's at Joann's, I may be missing out! :wink:

I gifted myself a new seam ripper. I used a coupon from Joanns and got the Fons and Porter one, thicker handle. I am very happy! I never even thought that they could get dull. Which reminds me, maybe I should get my gingher sissors sharpened. (I inherited 2 pairs in 1995 when I worked at Vanity Fair factory and they relocated to Mexico)and my local Joanns sharpens every other Saturday.

When I worked at VF Factory I used to sew the banding on the Victoria Secret bras. When the machine (not me -haha) made an error I used to rip it out with a razor. It looks like Gingher has a new razor out for seam ripping.
http://www.gingher.com/

I use a small sharpening stone I got at a local knife maker/sharpener that is commonly used for fish hooks and the like. It is about the size of a pen, retracts into a plastic case and cost no more than a few dollars...it is also great for taking the burrs out of pins after I sew over them (though I really try NOT to do that!) and smooths away tiny chips on the edges of crystal and glassware. I think the seam rippers I have were given to me in 6th grade! I am well beyond that now, having just turned 49, so I think this method works!

I recently found this "surgical" seam ripper & it is a dream. It can be a dangerous tool though. I cut myself 3 times before I learned to deal with such a sharp ripper. I was so used to dull ones that I had to learn to be more careful. They should include band aids for first time user. LOL Pat

The ole saying goes...."AS YOU SEW, SO SHALL YOU RIP".... seems to be my favorite used motto....

TIPS: When that seam ripper does get too dull, mark the handle with tape or red nailpolish, etc. and use it for a stylus... helps to guide fabric by the needle and save your fingertip!

I bought a few when notions were 50% off at Joann's to place at both my machines and also have one with my small Vacation/RV box that includes several small hand sewing projects to "pick-up".

I have tons of seam rippers. The blue ones are so inexpensive and you can never have enough of them. I have a larger Fons & Porter seam ripper and one where the blade is the same size as the blue one, but it has a longer white handle that's easy to hold onto.

Hmm, the above makes me sound like I do a lot of ripping out. LOL! :lol: :lol:

My favorite seam ripper is Clover. The handle is easy to hold in your hand, the ripper is sharp and small enough for tiny stitches. It is affordable and you can find them at JoAnn's, Michael's and Hancock Fabrics (chance to use your coupons)

Wow! After reading this, I realize probably all of mine, 3 or 4, dull since I can't remember when I bought them and they are ALL the cheap blue handled ones. Tonight, I'm off to Joann's to look at theirs. Never knew one could get dull but it does make sense.