I have 3 seam rippers right now, one at my machine, one at my cutting table, and one on my ironing board under a piece of elastic I tied onto the board. One is very fine, the others the cheap blues. Toss them when they slow you down and don't give it a second thought. I will look into the Gingher's at Joann's, I may be missing out! :wink:

I gifted myself a new seam ripper. I used a coupon from Joanns and got the Fons and Porter one, thicker handle. I am very happy! I never even thought that they could get dull. Which reminds me, maybe I should get my gingher sissors sharpened. (I inherited 2 pairs in 1995 when I worked at Vanity Fair factory and they relocated to Mexico)and my local Joanns sharpens every other Saturday.

When I worked at VF Factory I used to sew the banding on the Victoria Secret bras. When the machine (not me -haha) made an error I used to rip it out with a razor. It looks like Gingher has a new razor out for seam ripping.
http://www.gingher.com/

I use a small sharpening stone I got at a local knife maker/sharpener that is commonly used for fish hooks and the like. It is about the size of a pen, retracts into a plastic case and cost no more than a few dollars...it is also great for taking the burrs out of pins after I sew over them (though I really try NOT to do that!) and smooths away tiny chips on the edges of crystal and glassware. I think the seam rippers I have were given to me in 6th grade! I am well beyond that now, having just turned 49, so I think this method works!

I recently found this "surgical" seam ripper & it is a dream. It can be a dangerous tool though. I cut myself 3 times before I learned to deal with such a sharp ripper. I was so used to dull ones that I had to learn to be more careful. They should include band aids for first time user. LOL Pat

The ole saying goes...."AS YOU SEW, SO SHALL YOU RIP".... seems to be my favorite used motto....

TIPS: When that seam ripper does get too dull, mark the handle with tape or red nailpolish, etc. and use it for a stylus... helps to guide fabric by the needle and save your fingertip!

I bought a few when notions were 50% off at Joann's to place at both my machines and also have one with my small Vacation/RV box that includes several small hand sewing projects to "pick-up".

I have tons of seam rippers. The blue ones are so inexpensive and you can never have enough of them. I have a larger Fons & Porter seam ripper and one where the blade is the same size as the blue one, but it has a longer white handle that's easy to hold onto.

Hmm, the above makes me sound like I do a lot of ripping out. LOL! :lol: :lol:

My favorite seam ripper is Clover. The handle is easy to hold in your hand, the ripper is sharp and small enough for tiny stitches. It is affordable and you can find them at JoAnn's, Michael's and Hancock Fabrics (chance to use your coupons)

Wow! After reading this, I realize probably all of mine, 3 or 4, dull since I can't remember when I bought them and they are ALL the cheap blue handled ones. Tonight, I'm off to Joann's to look at theirs. Never knew one could get dull but it does make sense.