A few weeks ago, I did a guest post on the Kreinik blog about finding the best cross stitch scissors and since then a lot of people have been in contact to get my low down on the best pairs of scissors. So I’m going to go through the process of picking the best scissors for you.
What are you going to use them for?
This might seem a little strange at first, considering you’ve been using scissors already for ages, however, that trusty pair you have might not be the best for all situations.
The All-Purpose Thread Snipper
This is probably the pair you’re thinking about right now, and you really need a trusty pair. If you’re looking for one of these, after you’ve made your selection, check out the other pairs I suggest you buy, as using these scissors for anything other than standard threads, you’re going to blunt them FAST.
Premax Carnival Embroidery Scissors – $22
Double Curved Sewing Machine Scissors – $22
The Speciality Thread Snipper
We said above that a thread snipper is a pair of scissors no stitcher should be without, however for many, that’s as far as it goes. But in reality, threads such as glow in the darks, or a metallic (a scissors worst enemy) blunt or gouge sections out of your thread snippers, meaning you’ll get bad cuts. In addition, due to the extra force needed to cut them, these special threads pull the scissors apart, meaning they’ll sit poorly in the hand.
Therefore, in addition to your trusty standard pair, get one of these:
Sodial Metal Grip Shears – $3
Pro tip: you can find black tipped pairs; don’t get these, they are for bonsai, and have a coating on them that can stain threads.
Premax 4″ Weavers Scissors – $6
Canary Mini Snips – $10
The Fabric Cutter
Thirdly, you need a good pair of scissors to cut all that aida fabric. Most people use their desk scissors, or (I really hope this isn’t you) their kitchen scissors. I don’t have to tell you that those scissors are coated in all kinds of nasty stuff, and if you use desk scissors are usually blunt as well. Therefore, invest in a good pair of fabric scissors and keep them for fabric only.
Fiskars Fabric Scissors – $15
The Plastic Canvas/Waste Canvas Cutter
Finally, spare a thought for waste and plastic canvas. These plastic-coated fabrics will blunt any scissors, so you need to be prepared with a serious solution.
Unfortunately, “uni-grip” doesn’t make scissors left-handed. The blades need to be reversed so that we can actually see what we are cutting. And we have to put an unnatural twist on right-handed blades so that they actually cut. Over a span of years, this can cause hand problems such as arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Even when I’ve found true left-handed scissors, sharpening is a problem. Fiskars sharpener won’t work on their left-handed scissors. Sometimes being left-handed is a real handicap.
It really depends on what type of scissor you’re looking for. Almost all embroidery scissors are ‘uni-hold’, including shears. If you’re looking for fabric scissors your choice is limited to Fiskars, or Premax. Premax is pretty dang hard to get if you’re outside of the US though.
Which of these companies make left-handed versions of these scissors? I know that Fiskars makes some styles, but have had trouble finding lefty versions from other companies.