Scissors
 

I am looking to buy a good pair of scissors with bigger holes for my fingers. I do a lot of appliqué and I have noticed scissors by Karen Buckley that are for appliqué. I would like your experiences with different scissors. Thanks for you comments.

I'm also looking at getting some better scissors -- my friends are wild about their Kai brand.

I'm pretty likely to go to our local Sew Expo coming up in a couple of weeks just to go look at them. But will be following this with interest. I want a nice pair of general scissors and a small applique type pair as well.

I love my Karen Kay Buckley scissors they are sharp to the point, have large handles and have stayed sharp through lots of applique work ( even with lots of paper backed fusibles) for a few years now. They are definitely worth the price

I'd like to see the Gingher Applique scissors with slightly larger finger holes myself :thumbup: I'd like to hear your feedback on the KB's if you decide to get them ;)

I use both the Gingher 9" sheers for regular cutting or larger applique cuts but use the Gingher Applique scissors for the smaller work. I also have and 8" pair of Gingher scissors that I love. The only thing for all 3 pairs is that they are right handed and I am a lefty. They were more costly for the left handed scissors and since I have a life time of mostly using right handed scissors I thought I would do fine with the right. Maybe someday I will get a pair for my left hands.

I bought a pair of different brands of scissors to compare which ones I like. The serrated edge scissors the best for applique fabric cutting. I have Ginger, Buckley, Kai, Havel, Holtz, Clover, and Elan and few others of odd brands. All are excellent. Clover and Elan are my favorite cutting scissors.

I agree that Karen Buckley scissors are the best way to go. I love the sharp pointed ends and the larger holes for your hands. I have had mine for about 4 years and they are still sharp.

I have like the Kai scissors - and the finger size are okay for me - not sure how my fingers compare to othere though. I usually weat a medium to large gloves. When I bought them at a quilt show I got the set of three. Liked them so much when I returned the next year I bought another set.

Havel Scissors are fantastic - I have three pairs. Their serrated edge and large finger holes are easy to handle and the serration gives you excellent control of small cuts. These cut perfectly right up to the tip. They also have an eight inch Sewing scissor with regular handles which I have as well and a curved tip with large loops which I do not have.

https://www.amazon.com/Havels-Serrat...s%2C151&sr=8-3

I love my Karen Buckley scissors- perfect for appliqué

I wouldn't do anything without my Fiskars spring loaded scissors. I have a small one (5 or 6 inches, I can't remember) and 2 larger ones (10 inch, one for paper, one for fabric). Since they are spring loaded they are super perfect for any issues like arthritis, and there are no handle holes to squish your fingers. The small micro pair does have a very sharp end and I have used for some applique purposes, but they are not as fine or detailed as regular applique scissors.

I love, love, love these scissors for general cutting and I have absolutely no problem using them for larger applique. I have the 10” pair. My hands never get tired and the handle holes are perfect for my fingers!
My go-to applique scissors. Such control with these, and their serrated applique scissors are great for grabbing the fabric to make sure there are no errant cuts - especially around curves. The finger holes may be somewhat smaller than the KKB scissors, but I feel I have greater hand control with them.

The very best spring loaded scissors are Heritage Rag Snip scissors. They are the best quality scissors of this type I have used. DH was so impressed with them he bought a pair for household use.

Since you're looking for scissors for applique, I recommend this company: http://www.mygoodscissors.com/, they have excellent prices and service, I get # 6204.

I think I must have 20 some pairs of scissors.....and oh golly, I use most of them.....if I am doing something....I gotta have my favorite scissors for doing it.....I do buy good quality ones …..I do think getting good scissors pays for themselves in the long run....but If I don't like a scissors or have messed them up.....I put them in my kitchen drawer for paper cutting, flower cutting, cutting off plastic tags etc.....I do like the ones that have softer handles as the metals dig in after a while....

My favorite scissors, hands down, are Kai. I have several pairs, 4 of which I just sent off to Kai for sharpening. They are micro-serrated, which means the fabric won't slip between the blades. They also have a rubber coating on the handles, which makes them softer on the hands.

A couple years back, there was someone here on the board who was a lefty and was looking for something specific, some specialty applique scissors, I think? She was frustrated because she couldn't find what she wanted anywhere. Based on several encouraging responses here, she contacted Kai and they custom-made her a pair, exactly what she wanted, and if I remember right, didn't charge anything over and above what the regular price would have been. She was very happy. :)

I don't understand a leftie not buying left hand scissors. It would be like a right handed person buying left hand scissors. I have a couple pair of left handed scissors in my sewing room for my left handed grand and quilting friends.

Sharpen scissors
 

has anyone tried to sharpen shears? Is that possible?

I've used Gingher for years and they've held up well. But I recently got Karen Kay Buckley and they are fantastic! My new favorites.

I have a lot of scissors and I love the Katen Kay Buckley scissors. I have them in. 3 sizes. I love how they “hold” the fabric, the sharp points and the soft handles. Personally I think they are a bargain. I have had mine for several years and they are still like new.

I always buy a new pair if mine get dull or draggy. I have had some 'scissor sharpeners' try to sharpen them but made them worse. If the manufacturer has the sharpen option I would use that.

These are my favorite scissors for Applique. The control with the 2 holes for your middle and ring finger and trigger for pinky fingers is amazing. (you keep your index finger along the edge for control, just like hair dressers). https://www.amazon.com/Apliquick-Mic.../dp/B06Y22GXZ4

I also have the smaller pair for more intricate work
https://www.amazon.com/Apliquick-Mic.../dp/B06Y24XT1H

I do have the Karen Kay Buckley scissors and love them too but they aren't as sturdily made as the appliquick scissors. I have already worn out a pair of KKB scissors so they are only good as thread snips now.

Funny you should mention holding scissors like hair dressers. I went to cosmetology school in HS and hold all my scissors like this. It’s just totally natural for me now, although my friend Peggi thinks I’m weird. But you really do have more control holding them this way!

I love my Clover Bordeaux scissors....at least the cutting is incredible, like cutting through butter. They are expensive but worth every penny. I got the "ultimate".200...longer scissors. The ones that are less $ on Amazon, come from Japan with Japanese writing on package.....They Are Bordeaux, just in Japanese packaging. $20 less than the ones with english on the package. Free Shipping ( I would try one of these for size before buying. I wear a large glove. There are so many brands out there now that are going to the larger holed handles....Best wishes in your search.

I have three pair of the Clover Bordeaux 200 scissors. Tuesday Morning store has a pair every now and then. Most have no idea the quality of these scissors so overlook them at that store for the lesser price ones. I buy every pair I see because they are $12.99 compared up to $50 prices at quilt shops. The last pair I bought had the orange sticker which meant 40% off the price. These are excellent household scissors, no one comes looking for the good pair.

Was this a response to my comment about the lefty not finding what she was looking for? If so, maybe I need to clarify - she was looking for left-handed specialty scissors (applique, if I remember right) and couldn't find any that were left-handed. She contacted Kai and they made them for her. I love that story. :)

No. I have read posts here before about left handed quilters buying regular right hand hand scissors because the left handed ones cost more. I just don't understand that reasoning.

I think I will buy some Karen Kay Buckley appliqué scissors. I will let you know what I think of them. Thanks for your responses.

Have Karen Buckley in 3 sizes. Love them!

I decided I didn't have enough funds to be worth going to Sew Expo this year so no new scissors in the immediate future. I will check in at Tuesday Mornings though... there are a couple in my general stomping grounds. I first went to one last year because a post here said they often had some great deals on Precuts. I wasn't expecting to find it there (was going to other stores and was in the vicinity) but I was able to match a set of jelly roll strips I had bought and what I was actually looking for!

I have a good pair of Gingher sewing shears that have begun to squeak. Can I oil them? They have begun to dull a bit also.

Overall, is it better to have scissors re-sharpened than to buy a new pair? Any thoughts on which basic fabric cutting shears are the best?

How much should I expect to pay to get a pair of shears sharpened? I have Gingher brand cutting shears, embroidery scissors, and applique scissors.

Appreciate any advice!

Doesn't Gingher have a sharpening program for their scissors? Kai does, I had them sharpen mine a couple of months ago, I enclosed a check for $7 for return shipping. I dropped a pair and bent the tip, they replaced it at no charge. <3

From the Ghinger website: https://www.gingher.us/Gingher_Maintenance.html

They also have directions for sharpening the scissors at home on this same webpage.

Karen KB has the best handles....Clover Bordeaux scissors are wonderful, cut like butter....not sure if they would fit your hands, but you could try. I have Kai, KKB, Bordeaux, & gingher. I found most of my Gingher scissors are heavier and fatigue my hands the longer I use them.

Buckley scissors are wonderful and I have them in all sizes - the handles fit my hands - but they don't handle some of the really heavy things I have to cut. for that I use the spring loaded Fiskars. I have some Kai, but they are a bit tight. I have a pair of curved tip scissors that I got at a show years ago that have the biggest holes for my hands - I use them to snip the threads that seem to live on everything I peace.