Information About Scissors And Shears

When sewing, it’s a necessity to have some scissors. In fact, even if you aren’t doing any sewing, every household needs some scissors! Everyone needs at least one pair of scissors, because they are such a useful tool.

Scissors vs. Shears

First off, though people often use the names interchangeably, scissors and shears aren’t really the same thing and are meant to perform different tasks. Shears are used for the heavier cutting jobs, whereas scissors are best used for lighter cutting jobs such as trimming or clipping threads.

Shear Strength For Sewing Tasks.

Shears are generally 6 inches or more in length. The shears are held by putting your thumb through the smaller ring handle, and inserting two or three fingers through the larger ring handle. Holding the shears by placing your fingers through these rings gives better leverage to perform the heavier tasks for which shears excel

Scissors Are Smaller.

Scissors are generally 6 inches in length and on down to 3 inches or even less. Besides being smaller than shears, the handle rings are of equal size.

Choosing Quality Scissors and Shears.

Most scissors are made of steel. There are two main types of steel are used to manufacture scissors. The first type, carbon steel, is used to make scissors with the blade and the handle formed in one continuous piece. Carbon steel stays sharp better and is very strong. Scissors made from carbon steel are usually plated with chromium or nickel to prevent them from rusting.

Shears and scissors are also made from stainless steel. Plastic handles are usually fitted to the metal blades. These scissors aren’t as sturdy and don’t retain a sharp edge as long. Stainless steel scissors are also harder to re-sharpen. This type of steel shears and scissors are usally cheaper however.

Different Kinds of Shears And Scissors.

There’s a wide variety of scissors available. Here’s a small sampling:

• Applique Scissors: Offset for level cutting
• Bent Handle Dressmaker Shears: Allow the cutting blades to rest flat on the table
• Easy Grip Scissors: With larger handles for those having difficulty holding scissors
• Embroidery Scissors: Used for cutting embroider threads
• Finishing Shears: Either as pinking or scalloping shears, used to cut ravel-resistant seams
• Heavy-duty Shears: For cutting leather, upholstery, drapery, etc.
• Thread Snipping Scissors: For cutting loose threads off sewing

There are also shears made for left-handed people, household scissors (all-purpose, poultry shears, etc.), paper scissors for children, scrapbooking scissors, electric scissors and more.

There is some sort of scissors or shears for just about any job.

Care of Shears and Scissors.

The most important rule of scissors: Shears and scissors should be used ONLY for the materials they were made for.

Do not, I repeat, do NOT use shears meant for cutting fabric for household tasks like cutting paper. It dulls the blades if you use scissors or shears for something other than the materials they were intended to cut.

Occasionally oil scissors and shears at the connecting screw, plus keep them dry and dust free. Keeping scissors and shears in a safe place like a sewing basket, or with higher quality cutting instruments, the box they came in, will help protect the points. Also, scissors and shears should be stored in a closed position. The most common cause of dull blades is setting down scissors or shears in the open position.

High quality shears and scissors can be re-conditioned by the manufacturers or other companies providing that service.  This will give you scissors as sharp as new.

That’s The Story On Scissors And Shears.

Cheap scissors would be fine for everyday use around the house. It’s not a problem to replace them if they become broken oe dull. For cutting fabric and other sewing tasks, a good set of shears is a wise investment.

Take care of your scissors and shears and they’ll reward you with easy cutting.  That will make your sewing a shear pleasure.