looking into new pinking shears
 

I have a pair of Brazilian Ginghers and had them sharpened last year. BUT they still cut very hard and make my thumb hurt and if used too long while cutting layers, the thumb starts to go numb.

Any one have a good pair to recommend for cutting 2-3 layers of flannels. I use the pinkers to cut flannel for bibs, makes the curves turn very easy, then to top stitch finish.

Have checked Amazon and most reviews are not good.

Have you considered getting a specialty rotary cutter blade?

https://www.olfaproducts.com/olfa-bl...-rotary-blades

I have special blades but do not think it would be easy to use with a baby bib pattern. I have been tracing around a self made cardboard pattern, stitch, then trim with the pinkers.

Thank you for the link but would rather check into a pair of shears. If no good shears are available I might have to resort to testing my special blades. The bibs etc are collected at church to be given to a local charity, Positive Alternatives.

Kai scissors are wonderful. I have a pair of their pinking shears, which cut great. They still need a stronger hand grip than for regular shears, but I like them very much. Kai scissors are wonderful. https://kaiscissors.com

I have not used pinking shears since I bought a serger back in 1987.

A friend recommended and I bought a pair of Fiskar pinking shears many years ago and they are still sharp--I do use them often. All I do is clean and put a dab of oil in the 'joints' occasionally. Not very expensive, can be bought at Hobby Lobby, WalMart , etc. I have the rotary pinking blades but not so happy with them, rather use my shears.

I ended up with blisters too on a pinking-heavy project. So, this is what I bought....it really helped a lot.
(I also have 2 different specialty pinking blades, but like the scissors better):

https://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-Actio...1334453&sr=8-1

I know that you have said no-way-not-going-there to the rotary pinking blades, however ..........

I switched to the rotary pinking blade several years ago.
I can cut pretty quickly and smoothly with it.
When cutting similar to your bibs, I simply mark around my pattern onto the fabric.
Then use a ruler for the straight away. Then gently turn it as I go around the curve while cutting up to it.
It sounds awkward, but once you do it a time or two it is pretty slick.
Or you can even free-hand it.

I've cut miles of flannelette nightgowns with lots of curves, and my hands say, oh thank you! :D

Yes, I know you have ruled it out ... but sometimes we need to hear how someone else does it,
and then say, hhmmmmmm, never thought of it that way!

Good Luck!

Now I have some ideas and brands to look into.

QuiltE, guess I best at least give it a try to go around the pattern with the rotary cutter. Seeing I already have blades to try, turning would be easy on my small turntable mat.

Thank you for your input and will try the rotary cutter tomorrow, when I go up to do the final sewing and attach the snaps.

I just bought a new pair. I got these at Amzon and they are very good. Lightweight and easy to use and cuts through fabric and batting layers very smoothly. I was surprised because they were not expensive about $9. I bought them thinking I would have to return them if not up to par. I am keeping them and marking paper on my old heavy pair. I bought the pinking rotary blade and do not like it at all. It never cut clean. [h=1]ZXUY Pinking Shears Green Comfort Grips Professional Dressmaking Pinking Shears Crafts Zig Zag Cut Scissors Sewing Scissors[/h]

I use the spring action Fiskars scissors for everything and love them. Didn't realize they had pinking shears, too. I would suggest considering this, as the cutting action requires use of your stronger gripping muscles, rather than forcing your weak extensor muscles against the scissors.

The turntable mat would be a great option.
Another possibility ... you could get a plexi template made of your bib pattern.
Then could just zip around it, without needing to draw the pattern onto the fabric.
I've had a few templates made at a local glass shop. Very low cost!

Look forward to hearing/seeing how it goes for you. Good Luck!

I have a pair of pinking shears but haven't used them in years. They're still in their original case even. Found specialty blades at Nancy's Notions and ordered them. Their pinking shears ones as well as the one to cut evenly holes in fleece when you want to tie them together using yarn. I use the pinking blade whenever I'm cutting into dress fabrics and fabrics that seem to fray alot. Love these blades. Yes, they're expensive but if you're not using them constantly its my go to blade when I need it.

I have my Gingher's and my mother's Gingher's and both are hard to operate. An inexpensive (comparatively) pair of Fisker's works wonderfully well. (orange handle)

I have the spring action Fiskers that I go for things like grading straight seams (they replaced my mom's Ginghers that she had for ages) because they are easy on my hands for some projects that I can't use a rotary blade for. However, for projects that are not bulky or have a lot of curves and angles I use the Karen Kay Buckley scissors because they are like a micro pinking sheer and they are easy to use on non-straight places.

Tried the rotary blade today and am not happy with how much pressure it requires to make a cut in one pass. Can not stand long enough to make it work for me.

Am checking Amazon for those mentioned above and will read reviews to make the right decision. I have not used my Ginghers in years because of the pain it causes, really want a pair to use.

Thank you for all the input of your favorite ones. Hope to join the group with an easy to use pair.

I didn't care for the pinking rotary blade. I also had a Ginghers that was hard to use. I took it along with another scissors to be sharpened & asked them to check the Ginghers. I wasn't crazy, it had been tightened to much when put together. It's a dream to use now. I may check out the Fiskers also. They are also a high quality company.

If you can find them, Wiss makes a really good pinking shear that sharpens well. I inherited my mother's, so they are over 35 years old and work great. They are heavy though.