Concerning the seam ripper's use, I tell my students that it is not a question of 'if' but 'when' you will use the seam ripper. I also tell them to remember to replace it. I had not even thought about replacing mine FOR YEARS when I heard Angela Wolfe talk about it in an alterations class. I bought a new one and could not believe how much easier it was to use! It is amazing how we skimp on the the simple things (cutter blades, needles, rippers) that would make our projects go so much faster and easier.