I love the Fons & Porter seam ripper as well. I think the best thing about it is that the handle is sort of rubberized, and it works great to brush off the little bits of thread after you unsew. I've never had a problem with the tip breaking off, but I have noticed that the cap doesn't stay on

Thats sounds like a great idea...I might have to steal hubby's and try it out...lol

The best item for Unsewing is an electric shaver...Use a bikini shaver...a side burn trimmer...etc. Super fast and easy!

I've got a surgical seam ripper from Nancy's for 3.98 and it is super. A whole lot of the quilters went together and each bought one, or two.

Thats is the most difficult thing for me.

seam ripper
 

I use one made by Anchor very much like this one but a whole lot cheaper. Everyone that I recommend it to loves it.

I use a Ripper-Clipper made by Anchor and everyone that uses it loves it.

I just ordered this one
 

Thanks for the info. I found their website and ordered it. Just hope I don't hurt myself with it.

I have the Fons and Porter seam ripper and it works great.

seam ripper
 

my very favorite over all the others here is below. It has a magnifying glass that is lit with a tiny light. See amazon below.



http://www.amazon.com/Mighty-Bright-...for+low+vision

Seam ripper
 

I use an X-acto knife that looks very similar to this, but the blade is not curved. Works well for me.....

I have to put in a plug for the Bernina seam ripper, sold at the Bernina shops. They are razor sharp, last forever, and I will never buy a different brand of ripper ever again. They are fabulous.

Years ago I worked at an alterations site, and learned there to use a pan knife. So that's what I use whenever the situation is such that I can

Absolutely have to echo the marvels of the Havel's seam ripper!! However, do be careful...these are surgical instruments that have been adapted to the sewing industry. They are very sharp... and that's why I love this product, it makes 'reverse' sewing a breeze!!!

I love this one too! A must have.

The small ottlite
 

These are marked on sale on the web site (white ones) but when I called a local store, she said they'd be on sale in the store next weekend, but then said Aug 3-4-5- Founders Day Sale. It got great reviews except that it was hard to chg batteries. I'm going to have my DS pick one up for me where they live. Looks good!

I use the cheap little one that came with my Janome - it has the best shape for the tiny machine stitches in quilting. My others were ok for sewing. Look carefully at the shape of the ripper to see if it will sneak under the stitched!
But even more than a good light is (oh I am getting old!!!) a magnifying glass on a stalk so you can use both hands on the ripper and the fabric. I have one stuck on my Ott light but I refused to use it...finally gave in and OMG what a difference! no more punctures!

I did the same as you. I thought the Gingher would be just as sharp as the Havel, with the plus that a retractable blade would be safer to use. Useless as made. Not sharp and too blunt to fit under stitch. I wrapped the handle of the Havel with rubberized shelf liner stuff to get a better grip. To me the danger is when setting it down/picking up. Gotta make sure the cap is on or you could reach for it and get cut. I wish Gingher would change those blades! I still think retractable with something that sharp is the way to go.

Someone else gave the url for Superior - and I have to say the Superior seam ripper is the best I've ever used. I bought one at the Tucson quilt show in 2010. It was so good that i bought one for my CT sewing room the next year!

I got a new one that has a big fat handle (comparitively) that says SKC on the blade along with Japan Techn. It is NOT sharp and I am back to using my old little one that DH put rubber bands around so I can hang on to it (I have pretty bad arthritis). I was so excited to find a fat handle, but the dull blade is a loser.

I'm so sorry to hear your Fons & Porter ripper went nuts on you. I have one & of all the ones I have, it's my favorite. I like it because the handle is big. I do wish the pointed part was a little thinner, but that's only because I tend to sew with really small stitches.

I am going to look into the de-baller -
I haven't tried the Fons & Porter one - if something is going to break easily, I'm the one to break it
I do like the seam rippers with the small end/point better than the bigger ones - it's easier to get under the threads
I tried using a rotary cutter to cut the threads in the seam - that didn't work out real well for me
I had one of those little scapel like ones - mine got rusty and dull - plus it was so small that I tended to misplace it a lot
I'm also not that skillful with the razor blade

Thank you for your input. I'm always amazed at how many things are out there that I've never heard of - or thought of using.

Went to the Havel site.

http://www.havelssewing.com/seam-rippers.html

They have a quilt pro -worlds's best seam ripper

and a quilt pro 2 that has a buttonhole cutter blade

Anyone know the difference between the two?

They look a lot alike to me in the pictures.

The best I have ever used were a very small razor one a LAer gave me. she buys them in bulk but I cannot find them anywhere. I also have Clover ones which I like especially the ones that are rounded slightly and I have the one posted above that have the razor on the end which you can replace.
I have also used small manicure scissors. so I guess it is whatever I grab first..lol My motto whatever it takes to get er done!

Thats what I use.I worked with a tailor for a few years before I opened my alteration shop. Thats what they use.I have retired, but still use my knives.

My favorite ''go to'' seam ripper is a rotary cutter. Works better and faster than anything I've tried.

I bought cheap battery operated hair clippers -- at the dollar store I think. OMG zip and you are done with the seam! I use them for everything.

I have a clover that I use for small things. For most of my ripping I use a small rotary cutter. Works really well -- just be cautious about catching the thread and not the fabric. It sounds harder than it is.

I have tried to find a mustache trimmer and cannot. Where have you found yours?

Any kind of battery hair clippers will do. Cosmetic section of Walmart. Also there are smaller versions for 'pet clipping' that manuver well...also cheap. I have taken apart snarls and messes of threads that I would normally throw away with these. Quick and easy with them.