:lol:Martina, shortly after I posted the question, I ripped a tiny hole in the backing. Thankfully, the patterned backing will hide my repair.

Thanks for the replies. I use my ripper a lot so I'm going to get a new one today.

Yeah...who knew? I only discovered how nice a new one is when someone gifted me with a really nice Fons & Porter one. I had inherited mine from my Mom...didn't know there was such a thing as a sharp seam ripper :oops:

I was surprised at a recent quilt class I went to and so many of the quilters had the cheap blue handle seam rippers. I loaned my Clover seam ripper to the lady next to me and she was beside herself at how great it was. She went to every one of her friends and said try this. Then she said she always bought the cheap ones, didn't think the more expensive ones were worth it and now she knows better. I use the Gingher seam ripper, the best I've ever used but it doesn't leave my sewing room.

My husband has sharped them. But the cost for a new is very cheap. I live 25 to 30 miles away from a place to get them.If I need it sharped it's nice to know he will sharpen them. I keep two because I lose them. Not so much since I cleaned my sewing room.

I use the cheap blue handled one and they work great. It is small enough to get in the stitch and point is not sharp enough to make a hole in fabric, when used carefully.

I have used disposable eyebrow razors. They are small and inexpensive. You gently pull apart the fabrics and cut the threads. It's fast. You can buy those razors in the cosmetic dept. at your pharmacy.

I've use the eyebrow shapers for removing machine quilting. They work great. I use my rotary cutter a lot for removing stitches. It's not as easy as you think it would be to cut the fabric with the rotary cutter. But my Ginger is the best and it glides through the stitches, no picking needed.

I use a seam ripper for some 'repairs' but if it is a seam the be torn out I use a 30 - 40 year old (or older) disposable scalpel! My sister is a nurse and used to work in the OR. She gave me several and I still have two left. They work great! Never thought about seam rippers going dull. Who knew? O.k. a lot of you knew and that is why the rest of us are here - to learn. Thanks!

Here is a link for the Gingher seam ripper. JoAnn's has it and a coupon is good if it's not on sale.

http://www.sonomacutlery.com/store/p...6&cat=0&page=1