Best tool for unsewing?
 

Most of my seam rippers, stitch removers/cutters, etc. have gotten quite dull.

I'm going to be buying some replacements soon, and would like to have some opinions on what 'make and model' you prefer - and why.

At the moment, my favorite tool is a very narrow pointy manicure scissor.

I really like the Havel snip-eze snippers. The points are tiny and they're very sharp. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...pf_rd_i=507846


For taking out quilting the other tool I find invaluable is a small Ott light. It's small and very bright so you can open it and put it right over the stitches. You can see black thread on black fabric with this little light. http://www.joann.com/ottlite-led-fli...prd_02444446a/

I bought a seam ripper that I can't live without. I can't remember the name of it, but you can buy it here: http://www.havelssewing.com/seam-rip...pro-18950.html It is so worth the extra cash. You can buy extra blades, but the blade that came with it still works fine after one year. Gingher makes a similar type seam ripper and I bought it, but the blades aren't sharp at all. It doesn't work well. Don't waste you money on it IMO.

I guess it's called Ultra-Pro Seam Ripper With Extra Blades: "The World's Best Seam Ripper".

I have this one also, and it is super great, you do have to 'pay attention' to what you are doing because the blade is O.M.G. so sharp it is scarey !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
so much better than the Gingher that I got first (very heavy)
I also have several of the ordinary ones for a quick rip.

My favorite is the tiny blue handled one with the red ball from Dritz. It is 3 1/2" long. The 'ripper' part is very narrow and sharp, perfect for getting under those tiny stitches. Small enough to not be cumbersome in my hand. I 'cut' every 4th or 5th stitch on the top, then turn it over and starting at one end, pull the back thread completely off. Most of the tiny threads from the front pull off when either ripping or when the back thread (the bobbin thread) is pulled off. It is quick, and no sharp blade used. I don't trust myself to not cut myself or the fabric. I used to use a sharp blade or my serger seam ripper and spread the fabric seam apart and cut the threads, but stopped because I didn't like the feel of the blade it in my fingers. Now I just grab under those stitches and snip them clean with my little ripper.

Carol Ann Waugh, who teaches the Craftsy courses on "Stupendous Stitching" and "Stitch and Slash" says the cheap, little ones are best; sharp, little and when (if) they get dull, easy and inexpensive to replace.

I have the inexpensive Dritz also and it works fine. THe only thing is my eyes aren't what they used to be so I just ordered one yesterday that is lighted. No ratings on it so I don't know what it will work but was 50% off and very affordable.
http://www.joann.com/the-seam-lite-l...er/xprd602457/
By the way, all joann.com notions are 50% off (other things on sale too) so I stocked up on 505 spray and got a couple of other things. Free shipping with $35 order with code AMB210.

Quite honestly, I prefer razor blades. They are extremely cheap and very sharp.

I love the Clover brand seam ripper from Nancys Notions, DO NOT BUY the Fons & Porter, I had 2 and the tips snapped off. Thankfully I wear glasses. The other thing I like is a battery operated mustache trimmer! Its' about 3 or 4 dollars (same thing as the pretty ones in the quilt stores) but much cheaper!