Sharp tying scissors, recommendations?

[mozart]

So I bought one of the cheaper made in India types from Joe's and seems they're already dull. What do you guys recommend for good fine tip sharp scissors? Could I go to a place like Jo-Ann's and pick up the same quality such as a Dr. Slicks? Reason asking, is there is no dedicated fly shop here in Bellingham anymore so my choices are slim.

[kosel80]

I don't think your going to find something at a craft store that will be as good. I have a pair by Anvil that have held up alright. I keep 3 pair on my desk ,one for wire and heavy cutting,one for cutting fur and feathers to size and then my good scissors for just trimming but ends and thread and other detail stuff on flies. Keeps them sharp for a long time.

[Nick Riggs]

I highly recommend some Dr. Slick's, and ordering a pair off the interweb is always an option.

[Richard]

So I bought one of the cheaper made in India types from Joe's and seems they're already dull. What do you guys recommend for good fine tip sharp scissors? Could I go to a place like Jo-Ann's and pick up the same quality such as a Dr. Slicks? Reason asking, is there is no dedicated fly shop here in Bellingham anymore so my choices are slim.

One of the best tying tips I received when I started out was buy top quality, sharp scissors, and not the inexpensive scissors. Don't scrimp. $20-$25 might seem like a lot, but amortize that over how many times they get used, and you can see it's pretty darn cheap for something that will last several years.

The upper-end scissors offered in many of the fly shops will work great. Take them out of the package, if possible, and see how they fit your hand. That's a big deal, to me. It's like casting a rod before you buy it.

I have Thompson, Tiemco/Umpqua, etc., and they are all great. Dr. Slick scissors are a super value.

[Trevor Hart]

Go to a fabric store and look for Gingher (sp) or whatever their nicest scissors are.


Edit:


Just noticed you are in bham. i bought mine at the place across from office max. Very pointy, very sharp.

[chadk]

How do you guys sharpen you scissors? I use some fine sand paper and just cut it. Not sure if there is a better way??

[Nick Riggs]

How do you guys sharpen you scissors? I use some fine sand paper and just cut it. Not sure if there is a better way??

Good god, does that work??? I'm too in love with my nice scissors to EVER try that.

[mozart]

Thanks for the great advice thus far everyone. I'll have to try Jo-Ann's one of these days.

I have about $50 sitting in my Paypal account burning a hole in the internet I need to spend. I'll check out a seller I know who works out of Gig Harbor for the Dr. Slicks.

[Big Tuna]

I've owned Anvil's and Dr. Slick and the Anvil's stayed sharper much longer than the Dr.'s. They were a little more expensive, but well worth it.

[mozart]

What's your opinions on scissors like these? http://cgi.ebay.com/Anvil-Ice-Tempered-Super-Scissors_W0QQitemZ250198784364QQihZ015QQcategoryZ4 4916QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQ_trksidZp1638.m118.l1 247QQcmdZViewItem

Looks like they might be difficult to use in some situations.

[cabezon]

Don't throw away your original scissors. I use two pairs when tying. My best, sharpest pair are used only on thread, feathers, cheniles, and other soft stuff. The other pair is used to cut tinsel, wire ribbing, etc., anything that's more abrasive or tough. That way the tough stuff doesn't dull your best scissors.

Steve

[Kent Lufkin]

Scissors designed especially for fly tying have very fine grooves (micro serrations) cut into the flats on the blades. They're designed to help grip small materials and keep from squirting out as they're being cut. You simply won't find that feature on general-purpose scissors from a sewing or craft store.

Suck it up and order a pair of Dr. Slicks and don't look back. I have several pairs but my favorites are the 4" straight blade ones. The blades are thinner than the 3-1/2s and easier for me to get into tight places.

Chad, cutting sandpaper isn't sharpening scissors - it's ruining them. I took a pair of Tiemcos to a professional sharpener a few years back and he explained how complicated the process is. Don't risk a pair of good scissors, have them sharpened by a pro. Avoid cutting anything besides feathers, fur and thread, your scissors will stay sharp for a whole lot longer.

K

[mozart]

Well I ended up pulling the trigger on some Dr. Slicks carbide 4" scissors. I didn't save much over retail but the seller is semi-local and I've purchased from him before, so what the heck. Going back into the WA economy.

Edit: Looks like the scissors don't have a serrated edge.

Chris

[Randy Diefert]

I'm with Kent, I take all of my scissors to the sharpener. He charges me $3.00 per pair and its money well spent. He also tightens the screws on them ad polishes them. Buying a good pair of scissors is an investment.
Randy

[dazzyd]

The BEST scissors I have ever used are my ophthalmic scissors - similar to these Vannas Scissors at the bottom of this page - http://www.sighltd.co.uk/products_osborn.htm

They have really fine points, are razor sharp and fit in the hand beautifully. In the UK they cost £60 ($120?) but worth every penny. Although I've seen some on ebay for as little as $10 - may not be as good though...

I've dumped all my other scissors apart from some cheapo ones I use for cutting wire.

[Kent Lufkin]

Edit: Looks like the scissors don't have a serrated edge.
My bad - I'm hardly surprised as mine don't either!

It was late last night and I wrote that post behind 3/4 bottle of red wine, confusing fly tying scissors with hair cutting ones.

K

[bfic]

http://www.drslick.com/products_scissors1.asp

The All Purpose 4" ($12.00), Razor 4" ($27.00), or Tungsten Carbide 4" ($27.00) all work well - my favorite it probably the tungsten 4". I wouldn't over analyze it too much, they are all considerably better than you are currently using. If you can only afford one pair just cut wire deep in the throat and save the tips for fine work. I've given up trying to buy anything locally - just order them from the big "C".

[Jim Wallace]

My bad - I'm hardly surprised as mine don't either!

It was late last night and I wrote that post behind 3/4 bottle of red wine, confusing fly tying scissors with hair cutting ones.

K

Good Gravy Kent! Did you self-administer a haircut after drinking 3/4 bottle of red wine? If so please post a pic.:rofl:

I just got some 4" straight Dr Slick tungsten carbides for the fine work, and my old serrated cheapies are now the heavy cutters.

[chadk]

aside from the sand paper, you can cut alum foil. You can also try a screw driver, glass, or needle like in this video:

http://www.revver.com/video/166644/sharpen-your-knives-and-scissors-without-any-tools/

[Nick Riggs]

Alot of fly tying scissors do have serrated edges, my Dr. Slick's do. It all depends on the model but, like hair cutting scissors, it's just for trapping material in the blades as they close instead of having it slip out, which is why some scissors with serrated edges are marketed as "hair scissors", for cutting deer hair, or any other various fly tying hair. Personally, after using a serrated pair of scissors, I'll never buy smooth bladed ones again.

[Nick Riggs]

aside from the sand paper, you can cut alum foil. You can also try a screw driver, glass, or needle like in this video:

http://www.revver.com/video/166644/sharpen-your-knives-and-scissors-without-any-tools/

I'm not saying this won't work, but it really reminds me of the scene in Fight Club where they put up the huge billboard that says "Did you know you can use used motor oil to fertilize your lawn?"

[Tim Cottage]

I doubt that you can have the serrated scissors sharpened more than once if at all, without loosing the serration.

I use the Arrow and the All Purpose and a set of Anvil for heavy duty stuff. When I eventually wear out the serrated scissors I would like to try a set of the Carbide. Carbide is hard as heck with a crystalline like structure to the metal, that makes it very brittle.
If you are fairly new to tying you will probably nick them before you dull them.

TC

[Kent Lufkin]

Good Gravy Kent! Did you self-administer a haircut after drinking 3/4 bottle of red wine? If so please post a pic.:

I do cut my own hair, just not after 3/4 bottle of wine! I do it in the morning but try to limit the amount of coffee I have beforehand.

K

[scottflycst]

I've been using the Dr Slick carbides for the past couple of years and love 'em. I've re-sharpened the tips once and they work without equal.
Scott

[mozart]

I've been using the Dr Slick carbides for the past couple of years and love 'em. I've re-sharpened the tips once and they work without equal.
Scott

Good to hear Scott. Looks like I made a wise choice with the carbide Slicks.

[P-FITZ98]

iagree the ginghers are awesome,I have 2 pair,and the sewing shop has a sharpener guy come once a week,but they last a longggg timeGo to a fabric store and look for Gingher (sp) or whatever their nicest scissors are.


Edit:


Just noticed you are in bham. i bought mine at the place across from office max. Very pointy, very sharp.

[mozart]

Got the scissors in, love semi-local sellers. Gosh. The craftsmanship between these scissors and my cheapos is evident the first time you pick them up. Then when you start cutting. The feeling is similar to holding a point and shoot then holding an SLR. Or drinking a Budweiser then having a Boundary Bay Scotch..the list goes on. Tough spending the $25.00 on it but not regretting it now.

[Les Johnson]

Non-serrated fly tying scissors can be sharpened by a professional scisor sharpener. There used to be a guy who hung a couple of evenings a week in the back booth at the Blue Moon in the U. District. He would sharpen any and all scissors. He did a good job on my fly tying scissors.
Check with your barber He/she may be able to direct you to a scissors sharpener -- if they aren't serrated.
Les

[Dean Edwards]

I have anvil, Dr,. Slicks, and Tiemco. I really like the Tiemcos. I have had them sharpened, and they were good as new. The Dr. slicks do have micro serations(sp), whitch would be gone after one sharpening.

I went to the local fabric shop to find out who does their sharpening. I met the guy, and he said he could sharpen my sissors. I have had him sharpen all my knives and sissors ever since.

[seanengman]

I like my doctor slicks, and I have heard a lot of good things about the carbide line.

[tkww]

Fingernail clippers also work well for wire, etc.

[Kent Lufkin]

Edit: Looks like the scissors don't have a serrated edge.

As an update, I was tying last night and using my 3" Dr. Slick scissors when I happened to notice that the small flat on one of the blades is indeed serrated but not the other. Guess I wasn't confusing them with haircutting scissors after all!

K

[billyspey]

serration on scissor can be replaced when sharpened properly. dr slicks are made in pakastain not good quality tools if you get a good pair you will be lucky if you want a good quality . buy german brand much better quality last along time i have a pair of german sizors for over 20 yrs still work i have sharpened them a couple times , expect to pay over $100. for quality. i make my living sharpening scissors and surgical instruments. CUTTING SANDPAPER OR ALUM FOIL WILL NOT SHARPEN SCISSORS BUT A GREAT WAY TO DULL THEM .

[billyspey]

SERATION ONLY AIDS IN CUTING HAIR AND CDC,

[mozart]

expect to pay over $100. for quality.

No way in hell I would have paid up to or over $100 for a pair of scissors. That's just insane.

As an update, still happy with my Slicks. Still as sharp as the day I received them.

[billyspey]

No way in hell I would have paid up to or over $100 for a pair of scissors. That's just insane.

As an update, still happy with my Slicks. Still as sharp as the day I received them.

thats good i glad you are happy with slicks and i am sure he is . check back in 5 yrs and see if they are still working as today. if you don't care for quality that fine with me. to each his own.

[backcast]

Ask your hairstylist if he or she has a pair they don't use, if they need sharpening ask if they would give them to thier sharpener, of course you will pay for that and it's usually around $15.... I can tell you [being in the business] that these are the very best steel and hold an edge for a long time.... Now, there is another source..... Medical shears, they are very sharp and a medical supply should have these..... Also manicuring shears, if you can find the straight blade, are extremely sharp and also hold an edge.... some of these may cost a little more, but the steel is why stay so sharp...... Good fishing