Hey all, I'd just like to see what brand of scissors that you're using? Do you have them professionally sharpened from time to time? Thanks!
Tying scissors
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I usually buy the Dr Slick knock offs (probably the same ones Dr Slick buys) for about 1/2 the price as Dr Slick sells them for. Yes I own a few Dr Slicks as well. I have a few other ones including 1 or 2 Fiskars hanging around somewhere. I've also bought medical scissors too and they seem to be just as good and just as inexpensive as the Dr Slick knock-offs that a lot of fly shops carry. Too many scissors (maybe 16 of them) I've collected on my fly desk over the 30 years now I've been tying. I always like the scissors with larger finger holes so I can drop them quickly on my lap while tying. Small blades, longer blades, really short and fine, razor sharp and smooth blades, serrated blades, straight, curved, etc. Many different kinds. I sometimes look at them and think... "I could be the next Edward Scissor Hands!" 
Lol Really though, you can away with just 2 pairs, but I could literally down size to about 5 pairs of scissors and be happy with that.
Funny side note about that. At one time, I lived about a 20min drive to the house where they shot the film of the outside of the house for that movie (here in Florida, believe it or not).
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I have more scissors than I actually need. I've priced out how much it is to professionally sharpen them and for the cost of that, I can buy a new knock off. So I use the ones that have lost their razor sharp edges for things less important and use the newer ones for the finer work.
One thing to note for those newer guys coming into fly tying.... don't cut wire or lead wire with them, especially the wire in EP type brushes, or you'll ruin them. I keep a really small and sharp pair of diagonal wire cutter, handy, specifically for that.
I've also found that using serrated scissors are best for deer hair trimming and sometimes I'll use it to trim other fibers like EP style baitfish bodies and brushes. The "serrated" blades helps to hold on to the fibers so they wouldn't slip off the blades while cutting. So I keep a few pairs just for that too. Here's a cheap pair I found for the discussion purpose, but not necessarily the ones I have.
https://www.ebay.com/p/22004239104
I ran into a guy I know that I haven't seen in a while that has an entire knife/scissor sharpening business set up in his garage and told him I was going to bring a few knives for him to sharpen for me (to see if it's any better than what I do with them, with the kit I have). So this will be a good reason to bring him some dull scissors I have and see what he can do with them and compare the cost. I know I can't sharpen them myself the right way cause you need special jigs for that, which I don't have. So it's cheaper for me to just pick up another pair every so often, than buy a jig set and have the right equipment to do it right. Anyway, I'll compare the cost of having them sharpened vs buying a new pair and report back.
Ted
Lol Really though, you can away with just 2 pairs, but I could literally down size to about 5 pairs of scissors and be happy with that.Funny side note about that. At one time, I lived about a 20min drive to the house where they shot the film of the outside of the house for that movie (here in Florida, believe it or not).
I have more scissors than I actually need. I've priced out how much it is to professionally sharpen them and for the cost of that, I can buy a new knock off. So I use the ones that have lost their razor sharp edges for things less important and use the newer ones for the finer work.
One thing to note for those newer guys coming into fly tying.... don't cut wire or lead wire with them, especially the wire in EP type brushes, or you'll ruin them. I keep a really small and sharp pair of diagonal wire cutter, handy, specifically for that.
I've also found that using serrated scissors are best for deer hair trimming and sometimes I'll use it to trim other fibers like EP style baitfish bodies and brushes. The "serrated" blades helps to hold on to the fibers so they wouldn't slip off the blades while cutting. So I keep a few pairs just for that too. Here's a cheap pair I found for the discussion purpose, but not necessarily the ones I have.
https://www.ebay.com/p/22004239104
I ran into a guy I know that I haven't seen in a while that has an entire knife/scissor sharpening business set up in his garage and told him I was going to bring a few knives for him to sharpen for me (to see if it's any better than what I do with them, with the kit I have). So this will be a good reason to bring him some dull scissors I have and see what he can do with them and compare the cost. I know I can't sharpen them myself the right way cause you need special jigs for that, which I don't have. So it's cheaper for me to just pick up another pair every so often, than buy a jig set and have the right equipment to do it right. Anyway, I'll compare the cost of having them sharpened vs buying a new pair and report back.
Ted
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I usually just pick them on in several fly shops or fly fishing shows I visit on occasion.
This is an example of the knock-off I"ve bought before. I've seen this brand in several fly shops too.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/TERRA-FLY-...YING-SCISSORS-FREE-SHIPPING/124132655985?hash=item1ce6e20371:g:jugAAOSw30JeKLqi
Just looked on ebay and Amazon and this is what I found.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Set-of-2-P...t-and-3-5-Arrow-Point-FF231/251924693682?hash=item3aa7e1c2b2:g:tBsAAMXQ0pNRApaK
https://www.ebay.com/itm/3-1-2-XLar...ing-Scissors-New-In-Package/362952654823?hash=item5481a9ffe7:g:sBgAAOSwH4tdqLrG
https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Premium-...rge-Finger-Loop-Holes-FF229/372083208763?hash=item56a1e3323b:g:rvwAAOSwhYdZxIN0
https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Premium-...ed-Blade-Gold-Handles-FF225/371271244977?hash=item56717d9cb1:g:A4YAAOSwZjJU8nZ-
https://www.ebay.com/itm/OUR-PREMIU...3439755084?hash=item41fe536f4c:g:Bu8AAOSw3qdbPRXc:sc:USPSFirstClass!34221!US!-1
https://www.ebay.com/itm/OUR-PREMIU...3439755080?hash=item41fe536f48:g:gAgAAOSwylRbPRRD:sc:USPSFirstClass!34221!US!-1
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Streamwork...row-Point-Scissors-3-5-Inch/223633261252?hash=item341194c2c4:g:tJUAAOSwI3BdXwLw
https://www.amazon.com/Scissors-Gol...MDV5G8T/ref=sr_1_28?dchild=1&keywords=Fly+tying+scissors&qid=1585664628&sr=8-28
https://www.amazon.com/Scissors-3-5...iZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
https://www.amazon.com/Iris-Scissor...JSXF0MNA8F7D0A&psc=1&qid=1585664628&sr=1-1-22d05c05-1231-4126-b7c4-3e7a9c0027d0
Here's a scissor sharpener...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-2-in-1...fe-Scissors-Blade-Sharpener/111828758154?hash=item1a09836e8a:g:YBwAAOSwcdBWTs-U
Etc, etc.... They are out there, you just have to look.
Probably the next pare of scissors I buy will be a Tungsten Carbide bladed pair of scissors, like this one.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/DR-SLICK-C...BLACK-LOOP/182408170186?epid=24011031445&hash=item2a785fcaca:g:aUUAAOxydlFS-UDA
Found a knock-off version (looks the same).
https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-TUNGSTEN...ly-Tying-Tool-Free-Shipping/283413255780?hash=item41fcbf1664:g:5pwAAOSwzgBYzYna
Dr. Slick and similar for 95% of my tying.
Fiskars for dense material, kevlar thread, (globugs).
A few years back had some sutures removed and the nurse gave me the scissors as she said they’re throw-aways. The scissors are small, curved, and the tips very sharp … they’re handy for cutting close to eyes, legs, antenna. (The doc’s disposable scissors were probably purchased from one of the suppliers that Backwater listed!)
Also, have scissor sharpeners by Fiskars, Smith, and others.
Fiskars for dense material, kevlar thread, (globugs).
A few years back had some sutures removed and the nurse gave me the scissors as she said they’re throw-aways. The scissors are small, curved, and the tips very sharp … they’re handy for cutting close to eyes, legs, antenna. (The doc’s disposable scissors were probably purchased from one of the suppliers that Backwater listed!)
Also, have scissor sharpeners by Fiskars, Smith, and others.
Ankona Cayenne, StealthCraft Power Drifter, StealthCraft Aftermath
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it is. Never dulls and for a big scissor it does some delicate work.
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I use the rising black adjustable scissors and love them. They are very sharp and hold an edge well.
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My ABSOLUTE favorite (and I have many, incl. Dr. Slick, Anvil, Tiempco, Ice and more) are the Dovo 4” sewing/embroidery scissors. They feel great in hand and are razor sharp with an extremely fine point. Germany. At $57 they aren’t cheap but well worth the price.
DOVO 4" Sewing Embroidery Scissors (Satin) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KD1724C/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_i_E1CHEb35SRFJW
For light wire and coarse material, I like the Elan 4” serrated embroidery scissors ($18)
Elan 4" Embroidery Scissor Serrated Edge Scissors With Florine Non Stick Coating https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FUQEEWO/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_i_h6CHEbNBC4010
DOVO 4" Sewing Embroidery Scissors (Satin) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KD1724C/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_i_E1CHEb35SRFJW
For light wire and coarse material, I like the Elan 4” serrated embroidery scissors ($18)
Elan 4" Embroidery Scissor Serrated Edge Scissors With Florine Non Stick Coating https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FUQEEWO/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_i_h6CHEbNBC4010
Dr. Slick - trusty standard in many sizes and colors.
I am not sure if the PRISM series are really harder (titanium nitrate treated) but I use them ad like them.
I do not like Slick tungsten scissors - If they still make them- heavy! And I tie with 4" in hand all the time.
By the way: often overlooked- great Dr. Slick PREPARATION scissors. Great for large cuts. My wife and kids stealing them from me all the time. And they are Made In Germany if it matter to some of you (above).
I am not sure if the PRISM series are really harder (titanium nitrate treated) but I use them ad like them.
I do not like Slick tungsten scissors - If they still make them- heavy! And I tie with 4" in hand all the time.
By the way: often overlooked- great Dr. Slick PREPARATION scissors. Great for large cuts. My wife and kids stealing them from me all the time. And they are Made In Germany if it matter to some of you (above).
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Gingher.
Yasaka. I got it from Japan Scissors USA two years ago. I haven’t needed to sharpen them yet.
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Have not seen " Three Swords Rostfrie" mentioned...German stainless
very well priced and you wont be disappointed I promise.
very well priced and you wont be disappointed I promise.
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Dr. slick and Tiempco. Never thought about getting them sharpened but it does make sense to do so if used a lot
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A few years ago I bought Westcott Titanium scissors. (overall 5" long, blades 2 1/4". Less than $10.00)
I like them better than "D. Slick" or the other half dozen scissors I have although all my scissors cut like they did when new as I do all my own sharpening. I even sharpen my single edge razor blades.
I like them better than "D. Slick" or the other half dozen scissors I have although all my scissors cut like they did when new as I do all my own sharpening. I even sharpen my single edge razor blades.
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Been through a bunch of different scissors. Only things that stand out are the absolutely abysmal quality of Loon's tools (all manner of fucked up across 5+ of their scissor models, and 3 bobbins that started cutting thread within the first few uses) and how kickass Togen's tools are. For the price, their stuff is absolutely unbeatable.
Togens Tungsten Carbide Hair Scissors 5"
I've had those carbide scissors going on five years. I cut everything with them, from bucktail to 10mm foam to 7x7 wire. Still going strong. Can't recommend enough.
Togens Tungsten Carbide Hair Scissors 5"
I've had those carbide scissors going on five years. I cut everything with them, from bucktail to 10mm foam to 7x7 wire. Still going strong. Can't recommend enough.
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The best I've ever used are 4" Dovo embroidery scissors. I think they stopped making them, but you can find them sometimes online.
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