I was a professional dressmaker for 40 years and have several pair of Ginghers in different sizes. I worked 18 to 20 hrs a day with these scissors. There is nothing to compare with them! I do quilting now and my trusty Ginghers are still the only ones I will use!

I have a pair of scissors that my husband bought with my first sewing machine that he gave me when we got married. This next Jan will be 38 years so I have had those scissors that long. They only cut fabric. I have only had to have then sharpened once in that time period. The brand on them is Wyss. They made great dressmaker shears. I also have a pair of Ginghers I bought when I was working at JoAnn's 12 years ago.

I have the Cutco scissors, but i like the KAI better , i also use the fiskars spring action . DottieBug

I have always loved my Ginghers and I use the whetstone that came with my set all those years ago so they stay sharp. A year or so I decided to buy another 4" pair because I have become so spoiled to them that I wanted to have a pair for the sewing machine and a pair for the ironing board. The second pair is slightly lighter weight and thinner. I still enjoy using them, but I definitely know that they are different. I am sure that the manufacturing locations must make a difference. I also have the spring loaded scissors by Fiskar and a pair of Kai that I like. I bought a smaller pair of Kai when they were on sale and don't really like them because my fingers don't seem to fit.

OK here is my suggestion for you as you go to bed tonight, try to think back to the last time you remember actually using them, what you were cutting or working on. Maybe as you sleep your memory will bring them to mind. Hopefully when you wake at some point in time during the day you will be inspired where to look. I haven't read all the postings yet so maybe you have already found them... but I think that there is nothing like having your favorite tool.

I have a vintage set of Joy scissors that were my Mother's and they have served me well. I will get them resharpened but I have to admit that they aren't my favorites. I purchased a pair of Fiskars dress making shears back in 1967 and after many years of use have finally gone dull. I recently purchased the same new pair and I like them because they are light weight to use with my arthritic hands. They cut with precision and I like them so much that I purchased other sizes for paper cutting to embroidery. I highly recommend them. I sure hope this helps on your selection.

Happy Quilting!!!:o Annie

I believe that they Gingher changed from making them in Germany to having them made in China or Japan, the quality is not as good. The store that I work at send a whole order back for that reason. If you are lucky enough to have the older ones that were made in Germany hang on to them. They are far superior to the ones now.

Haven't found a brand that I would replace them with.

I found the pair that went missing. Yeah! Unfortunately, I am now missing a box of pins that also has 4 bobbins for my 301 and FW. I want that to come to light soon.

I must have a dozen pair of scissors of all sizes and types in my sewing room. They range from dime store variety to the Ginghers My daughter bought for me when she worked for a fabric store in California more than 20 years ago. I've tried my best to protect the Ginghers from misuse, but something must have happened to them. They no longer cut right, and there is no one within reasonable distance that sharpens scissors. I bought a set of 3 pair at Cosco for $7.00 and was surprised to discover that they really do a pretty good job on most fabrics. Recently, while making out an order for some other stuff that isn't available locally I added a pair of shears made by Singer that were advertised to easily cut through 13 layers of denim. When they arrived, I was pleasantly surprised at how well they cut. I still doubt the 13 layers of denim claim, though.

Update; Foubnd the box of pins with the bobbins yesterday. Unfortunately one of my quilting helpers also discovered the box and it is MIA again. Why would a cat want a box of pins? Who Knows?