Favorite Jack?
 

I know this sounds a bit like an oxymoron, but do you have a favorite seam ripper? I had one for eons, and decided it really was too blunt to be any good any more, so replaced it with <I don't remember what brand or where from> seam ripper. The new one was so sharp, I loved it! Sadly, it vanished from my sewing table recently (I think it may have rolled off, unnoticed, into the trash), so I bought some replacements (generic brand, Amazon) and I am so disappointed that they seem about as blunt as the really old one I first threw out. Probably serves me right for going generic.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good, reliable, and sharp seam ripper??

And on a fun related note, when I was growing up my mother called this item a "quick unpick", not a "seam ripper". Anyone else familiar with that term?

Hobby Lobby has the ones I like. They are very like the ones that I got with my Brother sewing machines. They are small and fit my hand better than most and the blade that goes under the stitches is small. It's probably too small for most people. I have been told that I don't use it properly, so there is that too. I like to cut every 3rd or 4th stitch and then just pull the piece apart. Others hold the ripper and push against the sewing threads as the fabric separates. I am always afraid that I will slash through the fabric. I've only done that once. https://www.hobbylobby.com/search/?t...uickview=51980

Clover brand is my choice. I have a basket full.

i like the flat, blue handle Dritz ones--I buy 2 new ones every Jan--one for sewing room, one for long arm room. I like it cause it's large enough that my hand doesn't cramp, the blade is flat and slips under a seam easily, and the flat handle doesn't roll anywhere. I like the Clover brand with a flat handle/blade too, but it's just a bit too small (handle) to do lots of ripping (long arm sometimes requires a great deal of unsewing https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/hug.gif)

I believe in multiple disposable seam rippers so I buy them often and on sale or with a coupon, I usually get blue (Dritz?) larger handle ones. I have a slightly more expensive padded handled one, I think by Singer (its pink and white, didn't see one quite like it on my search).

The little ones cramp up my hands. I like that pink and white one, not so much since the dog got it and chewed the end a bit but it fit my hand well.

The best and sharpest ones I have ever had came with my sewing machines. I have several that I have purchased from Brothers over the years and there is nothing like them IMHO.

I agree, the best ones come with my machines. I've purchased 'fun' ones, and just are not as sharp.

I had a Clover for years that I loved. I accidentally threw it in the fireplace while we had a fire going. Have not idea how I did such a stupid thing! It had a long brown handle. I have tons of rippers but I agree that the ones that come with machines are good.

At a sew day the sewer next to me was tugging and pulling on the threads to take out, she was literally breaking the threads with force using her seam ripper. I offered my seam ripper saying it's very sharp. She said, I've had this seam ripper for years and it's still good. I couldn't' help myself and said good for what? She reacted in one of these two ways. She huffed up and pouted the rest of the day, She laughed and said I guess it does need to go in the trash after all and borrowed mine.

She chose to laugh and I gave her a new seam ripper the next sew day. We are good sewing buddies now.

I think a never-gets-dull seam ripper is on every quilter's wish list along with never-ending bobbins. I really liked the Alex Anderson 4-in-1 model, it has a seam ripper on one end, a stiletto on the other, the caps for both are wooden and are shaped to be used as tools. It's square and easier to grip than those teeny rippers. Alas, it too has become dull.

I Love Clover 482's! Super sharp with a comfortable handle. I drill holes in the handles and put a shoe lace through it so it's easy to find if my quilting area gets chaotic. Hahahahaha! Who am I kidding? When it gets chaotic. I use a wide, very bright lace.

I had one that DH turned for me (he's a woodturner) using an Arizona Silhouette kit. I adored it, but someone it went missing in our last move (ironically our shortest - just across town from our temporary rental to the home we built). Sadly, AS sold to another company. He's since made me one with another kit, but it's not as sharp.

I have a Clover and like it, but that one from AS was a the best.

There are a few Brothers for sale on line, if that helps anyone. I will keep them in mind for next time I need one.

I looked it up but cannot tell if the handle is round. I had one with a round handle and got truly sick of having to pick it up from the floor!

My daughter gave me one with a magnifying glass and an LED light! I liked to so much that when I saw another at Joann's, I bought it to keep with my mid-arm.

BTW, when the point gets blunt, you can sharpen it with a whetstone like for knives. Or any stone, really.

I 'think' I have 7 somewhere around my sewing room. There is never ever a ripper near at hand when I need it. Which do I prefer? The one that I can find!! Honestly! There are days that finding one is like finding the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, or hens' teeth in a chicken coop!!

I prefer the larger ergonomic handles, especially the oval ones that might roll in a circular motion but not on to the floor. I have had some success in sharpening the blade by ripping thru a piece of aluminum foil.

If you have access to a Lee Valley outlet or catalogue, they have a phenomenal surgical steel seam ripper. It is amazing!! and you can order replacement blades!! Here is a link: https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop...eam-ripper-kit

I counted the seam rippers in the basket I use. 17 of them And several laying around the sewing room. I never look for them, I get another out of the basket. They all show up eventually and go back in the basket. Same with scissors. I can lose a ripper and scissors in five seconds after using one. LOL Clover makes round and flat handles. Why Clover made the flat handle one an ugly brown color is a mystery.

The name escapes me right now but I love mine. It's the one with the rubberized tip on the top, great for picking out threads. It's usually the type sitting in quilt stores up by the cash register. I think I have 4 of them.

I like the ones that come with my Pfaff sewing machine. They are sharp and stay sharp for a long time.

Love your name for this thread! "Favorite Jack" gave me a chuckle.

Clover is my "go to" seam ripper. I inherited my stash and also lots of tools. Included were a life time pile of seam rippers of every variety. I began to us use them and soon discovered why there were so many. Most were not sharp enough to do the job. I began to toss out the ones that made the work harder rather that easier. Got down to the blue handled Dritz and eventually purchased the Clover because so many of my quilting friends were using that brand. Well, the sun rose, the birds began to sing, the sky became blue and I began to smile when I opened the package and used that little gem. Easy to use, fits my hand and has stayed sharp for about four years now.

For Christmas I received a gift with both the large and small ergonomic handle seam rippers from Joann's (I'm sure they are sold elsewhere)
They are so comfortable in my hand and very sharp.

Onebyone- the one I accidentally threw in the fireplace was that ugly brown one lol!!!
I loved it. Darn! But I have a zillion others so I haven't replaced it.

Ah!! You just reminded me that the one I liked which I lost actually came with my sewing machine! (I'd forgotten that). I'm going to try a Janome brand seam ripper, since they also sell them separately. A bit spendy, but if it's sharp I'll be happy!

That's brilliant! One of the things that I find a problem is how easily the little ones roll around (and off!) my sewing table, so I've been wracking my brains, trying to figure out what I can tape to the ripper that will stop it rolling, but not be uncomfortable in my hand. But the ribbon idea is brilliant, because then it's always easily seen - even if it lands in a trash can full of bits of fabric!

https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images...es/biggrin.png My answer to the face value of this question would be "pepper". https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/wink.png

Thanks so much, everyone! Seeing how the Clover rippers have got a lot of positive reviews, I might have to get one of those as well! https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/smile.png

Once I have to tug to snap a thread that ripper is in the trash. When I go to a quilt shop and have nothing in mind to buy I always buy a seam ripper. Fons and Porter's big red/cream ripper is very good but hard to find.

It usually depends on what I'm ripping. I've used the eyebrow-shaper kind with great results, and if my stitches are large enough, I like my Gingher. The Ginghers aren't being made any more. I think people really didn't use them right. I must say, I love the feel of it in my hand.

Good luck finding one you like. Amazon orders can sometimes be very easily returned.

I like the double ended one from smartneedle.com

Is it round? It looks round in the pictures....

No, whatever is handy. I have several.

It round but has a big end that is great for removing the picked threads. The handle big and easy to hold, is firm grip stuff so doesn't roll around much.