Reddit reviews Gingher 8-Inch Knife Edge Dressmaker's Shears

Okay, I can talk scissors.

These look great for certain purposes, but to me they look like they'd be a nightmare in the kitchen -- hard and time consuming to dry, non-dishwasher friendly. For the kitchen I prefer come apart shears, which you can take completely apart to wash and dry.

For cutting paper, regular Fiskars will never fail you.

If you want to cut fabric, you need a dedicated pair of fabric shears. If you like to do anything fabric-oriented, it's worth having a separate pair because dull scissors will shred, rather than cutting. You can go with Ginghers if you feel like going actual BIFL, but I've used Fiskars for 10 years without a hint of wear on them.

For opening boxes, a simple or classic utility knife/box-cutter will do the job and keep your scissor blades from getting crap on them.

And for heavier-duty cutting (like zip-ties), get a pair of compound snips so you don't mess up the blades of your regular scissors.

Edit: it's hilarious to me that this comment has gotten so much attention. There's a lot of good info and alternate suggestions below. The compound snips especially seem to be overqualified for my uses, although as a person whose hands get tender and finicky, especially in the colder months, it's definitely nice to have something that takes the effort out of cutting those damn zip ties.

$17.78 on Amazon.

I bought these 8" Gingher and couldn't be happier. Was prepared to spend 3 times what I paid for them. For the price on Amazon, they can't be beat.

Gingher scissors for $20.00 on Amazon.

Yes, straight pins for pinning fabric. Yes, universal needles should work with the vast majority of machines, yours included. Cotton or cotton/poly thread is good, Coats & Clark or Gütermann are good brands. Bobbins are specific to brand/machine -- and while I'm thinking about it, a bobbin box is really really good to have. Shears are scissors, generally referring to the 8" long bent shears. An iron's an iron, they don't make sewing specific irons, but it's important to have a good non-stick surface and steaming ability.

Say you start with Amazon's #1 seller the Brother CS-6000i - comes with the basic feet and features and even a seam ripper.

I'd recommend Guttermen Sew-All for thread - black and white/neutral should cover most basic projects.

This is my favorite thread cutter - http://www.amazon.com/Clover-Kuroha-Inch-Thread-Clipper/dp/B0019KFR5I/ref=sr_1_3?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1453931142&sr=1-3&keywords=clover+thread+cutter

You might want a pin set

These are the best fabric shears (don't use them on anything but fabric!) - http://www.amazon.com/Gingher-8-Inch-Knife-Dressmakers-Shears/dp/B000UU6SR4/ref=sr_1_1?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1453931252&sr=1-1&keywords=fabric+shears


Edit: For books, I really don't know. We started sewing without books but for more advance techniques and patterns we picked up a bunch. Here are few we have (note - these are all japanese authored books so the patterns can be a bit small or meant for less curvy people:

http://www.amazon.com/Draping-Complete-Course-Karolyn-Kiisel/dp/1780670931/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453931653&sr=8-1&keywords=draping+the+complete+course

http://www.amazon.com/Drape-Hisako-Sato/dp/1856698416/ref=pd_sim_14_8?ie=UTF8&dpID=41uA6owXofL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR120%2C160_&refRID=0D1XNBB3SPYRR8JA23DZ

http://www.amazon.com/Shape-Sewing-Clothing-Patterns-Multiple/dp/1596683554/ref=pd_sim_14_8?ie=UTF8&dpID=416R%2BlL1cpL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR124%2C160_&refRID=0QVYFTFXGCFFN2PXEQJJ

http://www.amazon.com/Interweave-Press-Simple-Modern-Sewing/dp/159668352X/ref=pd_sim_14_8?ie=UTF8&dpID=411UEqxuuRL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR120%2C160_&refRID=15HXCGBQFSSDWWB3YNA2

I made one of these before! I love it, mine is a bike bag and is lovely and very sturdy. The folks over at /r/woodworking furnished my wooden sides, you can post a request over there and see if anyone will make them for you (it's a pretty easy craft for them and they have a nice variety of wood generally). I screwed my hide onto the wood with some nice, small golden screws. Other folks use rivets, hardware is up to you, but it's an easy and sturdy way to attach the wood to leather.

Tools you'll need:

• 1 harness needle & 1 spool waxed thread, ~$10 total. A good option for you here. Scissors and a lighter for finishing thread ends. If you want to, a stitching pony and another harness needle for learning to saddle stitch. I don't think it's necessary for this project, though.
  
  
• X square feet of hide, I agree 4-6 oz would be great. Calculate the square footage you'll need once you have your pattern drafted up and buy accordingly. I assume a project like this might need anywhere from 4-6 square feet. This is a good source for affordable leather, they sell by the hide so you'll have enough for two bags as a typical hide may run 12-20 sq ft, though they sometimes have small ones. $4-$9 a sq foot is typical. Make sure to take into account the length you'll need for your strap. No dying needed for most of these hides, though you may want to dye the exposed/cut edges in which case just order some Fiebings (~$7) from ebay and apply with a qtip.
  
  
• 2 wooden sides, procured from woodworking sub (~$10)
  
  
• Associated hardware - probably 2-4 d rings, your closure stuff, a buckle, etc. Look on ebay for the best prices for the few pieces you need. You'll probably spend ~$10 on hardware for this, depending on your buckle which will be the most expensive piece.
  
  
• Something to cut your hide - a fancy knife or shears. These are amazing and will last you your entire life, are more easily maneuvered than most straight blades for a beginner, and will cut 4 oz very well.
  
  Good luck!
  

Asdfjsdhj omg you two are sooo cute. What an adorable contest ;_;

Hope I'm not too late to enter!

Morthy demands:

• Item which would most make you seem like an old posh Englishman: Nothing says old posh Englishman then old world steampunk accessories and an airship. I guarentee there's a monocle in there.
  
  
• Most phallic looking item: Ahahaha now that I'm actually looking, holy fuck these are disturbingly phallic, the have balls and everything. Someone was highly amused when they designed the first pair of scissors o_O
  
  Akeleie demands:
  
  
• Most geeky item: Combining geek and chic :)
  
  
• Item which would most help you achieve a goal: This sewing machine guidebook would be the most helpful thing on my wishlist. Almost everything on my wishlist is actually for my project called Stich N Ditch, where I'm in the process of making 1000 plushies to "craft bomb" a poor innercity neighborhood with cute plushies. The most important thing to me is actually speeding up my process, so learning to use my sewing machine better would truly be the most helpful thing in achieving my goal. Akeleie's demands are suspiciously more helpful then Morthy's. Hmm.
  
  
• Best item to bring to a deserted island: Thread. You can create so many things! The possibilities are endless. I'd never want to leave the island if I had this much thread to work with :D

Here goes! It looks like I got all but 1 item from my current wishlist. Yah!

1.) Something that is grey.

2.) Something reminiscent of rain. Why not a raincoat?

3.) Something food related that is unusual. These are from Japan and Matcha flavor is hard to find in the US!

4.) Something on your list that is for someone other than yourself. Tell me who it's for and why. (Yes, pets count!) For my son! He's a nugget.

5.) A book I should read! I am an avid reader, so take your best shot and tell me why I need to read it! Guy Gavriel Kay is an amazing writer and I think everyone should read his books. They evoke so many emotions!

6.) An item that is less than a dollar, including shipping... that is not jewelry, nail polish, and or hair related! How about free? Read the classics!

7.) Something related to cats. I love cats! (keep this SFW, you know who you are...) NO.

8.) Something that is not useful, but so beautiful you must have it. I think by definition art is not useful, but very beautiful!

9.) A movie everyone should watch at least once in their life. Why? Because Neil Patrick Harris and Nathan Fillion are amazing.

10.) Something that would be useful when the zombies attack. Explain. For stabbing. It's a silent weapon, which is best. You don't want to attract more of the undead.

11.) Something that would have a profound impact on your life and help you to achieve your current goals. My current goal is to be more active as I try to lose weight, but foot pain is a big barrier to walking/exercising more. I have heard awesome things about this foot wrap and it would be a huge help and keep me from being in pain as I exercise!

12.) One of those pesky Add-On items. It's hard to find in stores now, weirdly. And it's all I wear daily!

13.) The most expensive thing on your list. Your dream item. Why? PS4!

14.) Something bigger than a bread box. EDIT A bread box is typically similar in size to a microwave. Home. Made. Cappucino. It can go right next to the breadbox.

15.) Something smaller than a golf ball. This is pocket sized!

16.) Something that smells wonderful. Apples!!

17.) A (SFW) toy. She-Ra is pretty safe for work

18.) Something that would be helpful for going back to school. If you're in college, you're gonna need one of these.

19.) Something related to your current obsession, whatever that may be. Adventure Time! Come on, grab your friends!


20.) Something that is just so amazing and awe-inspiring that I simply must see it. Explain why it is so grand. What's mrore amazing than being INSANELY comfortable? Just look at it! Get inspired to sleep. It looks so comfy, I can't handle it.

fear cuts deeper than swords

Thanks!!! Yes, these

Gingher 8-Inch Knife Edge Dressmaker's Shears https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000UU6SR4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_lFZmDbMYFAKNJ

First, terminology: Shears are large cutting instruments with different shaped handles. The larger one has room for the fingers of the cutting hand.Scissors are smaller and have handles that are the same.

If you're talking about general shears, I would recommend Gingher dressmaker shears or Kai shears. I've never contacted Gingher, but the Kai people are friendly and will answer your questions.

https://www.amazon.com/Gingher-8-Inch-Knife-Dressmakers-Shears/dp/B000UU6SR4

http://www.gingher.com/catalog/

http://kaiscissors.com/

The needle brand is Schmetz, Euro-Notions is the vendor. Schmetz publishes a chart online that lists the different needles. As you see, under "Specialty Needles," there's no one needle the company recommends. You have to experiment because it depends on the thickness of the denim.

A kit like that for that price is unlikely to have quality components. It's better to buy small tools and notions individually to see what you like. Clover is usually a very reliable line. Dritz, on the other hand, isn't. I have many Clover products, including a seam ripper and chalk. When in doubt, search for Clover and read the reviews on Amazon.com.

I have a couple of pairs of Gingher Dressmaker shears, which are good for beginners and intermediates. Kai, a Japanese brand, is one of the nicer lines, but more expensive. I have no-name measuring tapes. I usually buy that sort of thing in the Garment District, but Amazon should have them.

The most economical way to mark with chalk is tailor's chalk but it has to be kept sharp. I love this pencil by Signet from Bias Bespoke. I bought several and keep them sharp.

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For home sewers, Gingher knife edge dressmaker shears are good. You should send them back to the company to have them sharpened. I think it costs about $8.