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I'm in need of better scissors for tying. the ones I use now are over 60 years old. They were my dad's when he tied as a teenager.
So I need a new pair but I don't know what is the best to get. I mostly tie bucktail jigs, crappie jigs, and just starting to tie flies.
So, what kind of general all purpose scissors do you like.
Thanks!
It is hard to beat a pair of surgical scissors with carbide inserts. Will cut everything you need, plus every braided line on the first squeeze. Be forewarned: There are ER/Central Supply-type "surgical instruments", and then there are REAL surgical instruments. How do you know the difference? By the price initially! Big difference in quality and the price. ALSO, make sure you get the carbide tipped versions. Most every scissor, forcep or needle holder used in surgery is sold in both a carbide tip and a non-carbide tipped model, each with different item numbers. You will know the ones with carbide...they are the ones with gold handles. The internet is full of surgical instrument vendors who will sell you anything you need. Me, I like my 6" set of Metzenbaum's, but I'd get these if I had to do it over: MDS0816417 - Mayo Scissors | Medline Industries, Inc.. Go ahead and look through their needle holders too. I like my 12" Mayo-Hegar's with carbide tips. (MDS2418430 - Mayo-Hegar Micro Needle Holders | Medline Industries, Inc.) I can reach way back in their throat and grab that hook, and it won't slip because of the carbide serrations. They are designed to hold very hard suturing needles very tightly, so you know they bite into a soft hook real good, and once ratcheted down will not slip off the hook. The carbide tips and blades can be sharpened or changed out. You can send them back to be done, or, just ask the circulating nurse in the OR at your local hospital when the instrument man comes around. He shows up in his little van or trailer and sharpens, adjusts and straightens the hospitals instruments for them after the surgeons who think they are gods throw them up against the wall so that particular instrument won't show up on their mayo stand again until it is sharpened...or adjusted true. Spoiled bastards. The instrument man will do yours while you wait, usually for about $5/each. I've had mine since the late 80's and I have never had to do anything to either of them. WARNING! They are not cheap. Not even close.
A lot will depend on what your goals are, For trimmimg and shaping bodies you probably want some long handled curved blade scissors. If just straight forward feather and chenille and whip finishing, a small thread cutter is handy.
I like these el cheepies for most tasks http://tinyurl.com/q9swemf
they work very well for most of what I do. Plus they are cheep enough that I can have 2-3 pairs scattered across my bench.
I bought a couple pair of these mostly for trimming braid but they are great for detail work and cutting thread after whip finishing Anglers Accessories 3 5" Super Scissors Fly Tying Fly Fishing Fine Point Sharp | eBay
I often think a set of curved scissors would be nice and have given a lot of thought to buying a cheep assortment just so I could see which ones I really like then pick out a quality scissor in the preferred style.
I did steal a couple embroidery scissors from the wifes abandoned embroidery supplies and found some short bladed arrow head that are great for very fine detail and will cut darned near everything.
A good pointed scissors for small work is what I like. The Anvil scissors are well made and they offer about any size you are wanting. I have two pairs, one of the 70-A and the 55-AC2. Anvil USA
For very small work on flies I like a very fine tip and this is the ones I use Dr. Slick Razor Scissors 4" | J. Stockard Fly Fishing
I also have a few pairs of these micro 4'' Dr. Slick MicroTip All Purpose Scissors 4" | J. Stockard Fly Fishing
I don't use these for cutting thick hair, I buy cheap sets at Wal-Mart of craft stores like Hobby Lobby
I use Dr. Slick's Razor which I like a lot and only use them on feathers and thread. I use some different scissors for hair since you do bucktail jigs. For that I use some smallest Henckle's Scissors that I originally got in a set like below link...
Buy J.A. Henckels International 5-Piece Scissor Set from Bed Bath & Beyond
Then I found them separate when I needed or wanted a new pair. I looked around a little, but didn't find this one separate yet anyway. These are great on hair.
Also have some Anvil and had some of the 70-A that Stump mentioned above and they also should be great with hair. I also had some of the Dr' Slick's Micro Tips and liked them as well, but not for hair.
I'm resigned to the fact that EVERY time I start using a new pair of scissors I am going to drop them! I buy 4 or 5 pairs of terra fine tip 4" at a time.
could try these i get sets so i have spare tool too the type of scissors these are are a multi purpose scissor they are not like arrow point scissors or hair scissors. there in-between them and work awesome for general purpose fly tying. see link by the way they are a site sponsor at the link...
Terra Mini Travel Tool Set : FishUSA.com
I use Fiskers micro tip. 2 pairs for different cuts. Fiskars Micro-Tip Scissors: Crafts : Walmart.com
I use a fine point scissors used for needle point Projects.
The scissors looks like a stork with the bill of the bird being the scissors blades.
All I can find stamped on the scissors is made in Spain.
<BTW> The good wife gifted me the scissors.
My hands are kinda big and lots of the common scissors folks use I can't get my fingers in without some effort, frustrating for me. I found a small set of small tip scissors, red and black handles, chinese made for $5 at Hobby Lobby. I'm still using the first pair a few years down the road but found them again and bought a backup pair. The small tips make em easy to get in close. I bought a Fiskars ceramic sharpener(works great)and dressed the edges and they came right back to super sharp.
anvil scissors for me, with the blue finger loops, because they hold an edge and the finger loops are large enough to get my fingers into.
I usr dr slick bent shaft and the six finger scissors.
I like these scissors also, I have a pair of them that has tied many many jigs. I now use them for cutting hair and they are still sharp.Quote:
Originally Posted by ifish
These! I have tried scissors from $5 to $40 and none of them work any better than these. Cheap and available most anywhere. They also make a chisel tip that really cuts up close. Just wish the thumbholes were a little larger. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by ifish
Since I tie mostly jigs I have found these t suite my purpose They are marked Lifetime. I have 2 pair.???? lol
I trashed a lot of the cheap China ones.