The new surgical seam rippers aren't used the way you are used to using them. They are used like a zipper. You zip the seams open, you don't pick them out and it works in seconds. The Gingher is the cream of the crop of this type. I have several, some with a handle and some without a handle. The eyebrow trimmers work pretty good but they dull very fast.

Doesn't those surgical rippers distort the fabric if you have to use them zipper style? I imagine there would be some pressure applied when you
open the two pieces to rip. :?:

It's so sharp there isn't any drag on the fabric. I haven't had any problem removing straight stitching. I suggest practicing on scrap stitching first before zipping open a seam on a quilt block. I haven't cut any fabric, so far, using one.

I think some tools are perfect for certain situations. It feels very good in the hand. I like my Gingher ripper for reverse engineering my serging a lot. It rips a regular sewing stitch (2.5 setting on my machine) well. For quilting, I use a Clover because it has a really narrow point.

So you run it in the seam? Pull the pieces apart a little and then cut through where the thread is? I looked on youtube for videos but didn't see any.

I use a moustache trimmer. Excellent.

I love my Gingher seam ripper with the pretty purple flowers :thumbup:

When I have to rip I use a mans mustache trimmer. you just start the seam to be ripped and then pull and run the trimmer down the seam, just like you were shaving. It really works. Learned this at a retreat a couple years ago. Kept hearing a buzzing sound from across the room. Finally had to go investigate and she was using it to unsew seams. Stopped and bought one on my way home from retreat. Mine is a Wahl brand. Bought it at Walgreens.

I bought 5 seam rippers off ebay for 99 cents a piece. They work just fine and if I put one down and it hides on me I am ok with it.

The Clover brand I use has a weighted handle that makes it comfortable to use. The tip is small enough to use on most any seam. I was at a swap meet several months ago and found a lady that had sewing notions. She had these rippers so I bought one for all the girls in my bee. They all loved them as much as I do so I was a hero that meeting.