Fabric Scissors and Sewing Shears: What to Look For and Models Compared

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Here's what each pair lists. We haven't tested them.

What to look for

• Bent handle. Fiskars' listings say a bent handle keeps material flat.
• Sharp to the tip. Fiskars' RazorEdge and forged listings both say their blades cut to the tip.
• Handedness. Gingher lists its dressmaker shears in right- and left-hand versions.
• Sharpenable blades. Fiskars lists its forged scissors as sharpenable.

Fiskars 8 inch RazorEdge

Stainless steel blades sharp to the tip, ergonomic loops with SoftGrip touchpoints and a protective sheath, per the listing.

Sheath included

Fiskars 8 in. RazorEdge Fabric Scissors

• 8 in. stainless steel blades sharp to the tip, per the listing
• Ergonomic loops with SoftGrip touchpoints
• Protective sheath included

Check price on Amazon

Fiskars 8 inch Bent Forged

Forged steel, listed for denim, silk and multiple layers of fabric, with blades that can be sharpened and a bent handle. Full lifetime warranty, per the listing.

Forged, sharpenable

Fiskars 8 in. Bent Forged Fabric Scissors

• Forged steel, listed for denim, silk and multiple fabric layers
• Blades can be sharpened, per the listing
• Bent handle; full lifetime warranty

Check price on Amazon

Fiskars 8 inch Original (orange handle)

Listed as all-purpose craft and fabric scissors for fabric, paper and wrapping paper, with a bent handle and full lifetime warranty.

All-purpose

Fiskars 8 in. Original Orange-Handled Scissors

• All-purpose craft and fabric scissors, per the listing
• Stainless steel blades; bent handle keeps material flat
• Full lifetime warranty

Check price on Amazon

Gingher 8 inch dressmaker shears

Gingher's 8 inch dressmaker shears are sold in right-hand and left-hand versions, per the listings.

Right-hand

Gingher 8 in. Dressmaker Shears, Right Hand

• 8 in. dressmaker shears, right-handed, per the title

Check price on Amazon

Left-hand

Gingher 8 in. Dressmaker Shears, Left Hand

• 8 in. dressmaker shears, left-handed, per the title

Check price on Amazon

Scissors or a rotary cutter?

For long straight cuts and quilt pieces, many quilters use a rotary cutter; OLFA says to always use one with a mat and ruler. See rotary cutters and mats.

FAQ

What size?

All the pairs here are 8 inches.

What does a bent handle do?

Keeps the fabric flat while cutting, per Fiskars.

Can they be sharpened?

Fiskars lists its forged pair as sharpenable.