How to keep them sharp?
 

Ladies...how to you keep you seam rippers sharp for quilting? I'm not talking about the blades (razor types) but the pickers/rippers. Clear as mud right?? When quilting on a frame and making an oops that you just have to pick out and have another go at. I swear I've gone through so many rippers and none stay sharp. I've tried the cheap ones and the expensive ones. Too many mistakes you say....probably right!! But there has to be a solution to sharpening these darn things....emery boards just don't work!!

I bought round rasps/files at the hardware store. I just go back and forth over the cutting edge of the ripper and it is sharpened.

I buy new ones when they get dull.

i look for the least expensive stitch-pickers i can find.
buy them in bunches.
(did I mention that i have a tendency to lose them before they go dull? lol)

I replace them whenever I lose them. I always have a bunch on hand. I don't remember ever thinking "this one is dull, I have to sharpen it."

I have a old sharping stone, run across a few times and vola!! They are sharp again.

I've still got the one from high school home-ec. Still sharp. I've bought two since (in 48 years) :) one just because the handle was so pretty and one for the to-go busy bag. I've never met a dull seam ripper to tell you the truth!

I'm gonna have to try this. I've always just purchased new ones, but I splurged on the Alex Anderson 4-in-1 a few years back and don't want to let it go.


Must be because you're so good, you hardly ever have to rip seams! :thumbup: <3

With KalamaQuilts here. My favorite one is the one I used when in high school - and I graduated in 1967!!! Never thought about it being dull.

I don't like those seam rippers, never use them. I keep the surgical seam rippers on hand, but I prefer the spring handle fine point scissors, they get under the stitch and are easier to hold. For seam ripping, I use my handy dandy battery dog groomer.

I buy new. They are too cheap to waste time sharpening.

I have never had problems with them getting dull and have my original one. I have several others that were given to me as give- aways at various shows, shops, etc. But, I do have a favorite one.

Do you know the trick of picking only the 5th -6th stitch and then pulling the bobbin thread to release the stitches? I'm guessing that picking/ripping each stitch could dull a ripper quicker. (This method does save some time too).
I don't think I've gotten rid of a seam ripper because of dulling but do have many as I like them handy.

I've never replaced mine but I keep buying them because I can never seem to find one when I need it!

I’ve not noticed dueling in mine but have only ever had a few cheapy ones so maybe I don’t know what it’s like to have a sharp one!

Last seam ripper I bought was from Quilt in a Day...in fact I bought two...magnifies and has light in it so I can see and rip with one seeing eye....it works wonderful. I gave all my old ones to dh who loves to sew his kilts. Problems solved.