I have been sewing for almost 60 years, and have never broken a seam ripper until this week. I was using the tip to help get some corners turned right side out...something I have done countless times with never an issue. So, I was shocked when the tip just snapped...and this is a new ripper, only about 2 months old!! Methinks maybe a lemon? Yay for DH...he offered to loan me his. :)

Patti

i did alterations for 10 years i couldnt count how many rippers i have broken

I went through a streak where I broke about 5 of them! So frustrating.

I bought several from JoAnn's when they were half price - Dritz with the pretty purple ergonomic handles - and they all broke very quickly. I wasn't doing anything weird with them either, so I suspect they were just weak. I may take them back in and see if they will replace them, but in the meantime I've switched brands.

Yeah, I broke two...deep pink and beige handles...but the third one is doing fine. Not sure why I bought the same one that broke twice...slow learner, maybe? Actually, it has a handle that I lik.

yep, been there, done that...

Ditto.

I broke my very first seam ripper the second or third time I used it. I figured it was a "user error" but the tip on my snapped right off too. Too bad, it was my favorite - and in fact, I am still using it as the cutter part works fine and I am too cheap to buy a new one!!! I have an "ergonomic" but the tip is way too large for my taste.

Made in China?

broken rippers, are you kidding? i cant count how many ive broken over the last few years, jus goes ta show, they dont make nuttin like they used to!
katz

I broke a Janome shortly after I bought it. The LFS replaced it. The new one broke. I'm not sure it's worth bothering to replace again. It looks like my 37 year old Elna one, but it's sure not as strong.

I have a clover with a white handle. Haven't broke it...yet.

Yes I have broken several.

I have broken many seam rippers. I keep a small stash of them just in case!

I have broken a few,, always while doing something with it that it was not designed to do....so now I use an orange wood stick or my purple THANG instead of the seam ripper!

I have dulled so many it is not laughable.

Don't know where it was made. It was a F & P. I was self employed for about 25-30 years...designing and making womens' clothing. All those years, I used the ripper my mom gave me at about age 7 or eight...this one only lasted about 6 weeks!!! LOL

Patti

oh I've broken my fair share.

Only broke one in close to 55 yrs of sewing. One of those ergonomic purple handled ones. I was totally shocked. Am still shocked-it had to be weak metal. As someone else on here posted she/he broke the same type I suspect it was flawed.

Kat

I used to break the Dritz ones, but I bought some Bernina ones and although they are rather fine and somewhat delicate, they are sharp and really last. The one thing I did buy recently, that I have been using quite a bit, is the Ginger Seam knife type of ripper. You hold the fabric apart with a "Birds mouth" clamp attached to the sewing table and grasp the fabric with the other hand and use the knife to part the stitches. It is really fast and I have never cut anything but the seam threads. It takes a bit to set it up and use it so it is good for those "Uh-oh" moments when you realized what you have been doing, is wrong, all wrong, and needs to be ripped out and done over. (Not that that has ever happens to me, you understand). :roll:
John

that's exactly how I broke mine.

So I've kept that broken one (still have some poking power) and still use that to pull out the corners.

Can't believe I'm not alone in this...thanks for sharing.

Never broke a seam ripper; misplaced several, but not broken them.

I've done the same as Jacquie. Broken them using them for something other than fabric. I try not to do that anymore.

Pat

....never have broken one using it ripping seams....however, did break one ripping a label off a can. Not recommended.

Nope, never broke one. Lost one, which the cat has still not confessed to...

HECK I THOUGHT EVERY BODY BROKE 1 OR 2 A YEAR LIKE ME LOL

They always break away from the plastic, so I now have two wooden handled ones.

I have broken many of them.

Yep!!!

I have broken the tip off several seam rippers. I bought a more expensive ergonomic one that a friend recommended. It broke the first time I dropped it on the floor, so back to cheap ones with tip broken.

I've broken a few. I think they might have had some "help" from one of my kids using it for who knows what reason.

Whats bad is when you DH breaks your most favorite clover seam ripper that has been working fantastic on his shoe lace because he wanted to loosed it.
Or, the seam ripper wins and cuts your leg open and you have to have stitches.

I have had my Clover for some time and love it. No, it has not broken yet. The Dritz and other little ones you can buy always break on me. Not sure why.

I broke one many years ago. I still use a seam ripper to get it started, but now I use a razor blade. Much faster!

I just broke my 6th Clover seam ripper yesterday. They roll off my machine table or cutting table and the tip snaps off because of the ceramic floor in my sewing room. I regret putting in that floor!

Well, yes I broke a seam ripper just a few days ago. Of course I was not using it for it's intended purpose, so I was pretty upset with myself - plus it was my favorite one that I had had for quite a while. Well, next time I go to a fabric stor guess what I'll be buying?

No, can't say that I have and I've been sewing for over 50 years

I do something similar but use my 18mm rotary cutter. Works well, but I wonder if the Gingher would be a little safer. Will have to check it out.

many, many times.

Funny the subject of seam rippers comes up. The one I was
using I had for 45 years. It was so dull, I finally bought a new one. Think the one I got was Dritz (red handle). It works fine, but the end of the handle is not rounded and
polks my hand. Maybe I'll get another new one..different
brand..and keep this one for a 'back-up'. Never broke any.

I have broken several over the years. I wonder if because they have to make the steel so thin to be able to get into the seams :?: