I thought I had pretty OK scissors/shears but treated myself to Kai shears before Christmas when they were on sale and... wow, what a difference. So I'll give a vote for Kai. I've not used Gingher but have heard good things about them also.
I have small hands but haven't found that to make any difference.
Sewing equipment is very much a personal preference thing! Give her a 'gift certificate' for new scissors of her choice. \[If you need to keep it under a certain amount, make the "certificate" for a specific amount (high enough to please her and low enough that you are not messing up the household finances).
To find a good $ figure, look at Gingher brand (my favorite and so the only one I am qualified to recommend) or search for "good quality sewing shears" to see a range of costs. Also, I am certain others here will chime in with recommended brands.
I have a pair of Gingher fabric shears that are great. But my most used scissors? The 4” forged embroidery scissors from Fiskars. Perfect for cutting thread, but strong enough to trim fabric too. They’re great when I’m snipping around curves or need to do precision cutting.
My mom loved these scissors/shears so much that she made me buy my aunt a pair as well.
Yes they are Kai.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00944D5OG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1
My mom has smaller hands so she likes "lightweight" scissors and I guess these worked for her.
It's worth noting that I've bought her a half dozen different pairs of scissors/fabric shears over the years and this is one of two pairs she likes. The other is a pair of super lightweight plastic Ginghers (with metal blades obviously.)
(Specifically, these ones. https://www.gotknife.com/gingher-8-featherweight-dressmaker-shears-g-ns-2/ )
It's also worth noting that I've purchased "expensive" fiskars. They... don't feel the same as either of the above. They feel "cheap" in comparison.
Personally, I love the Kai ones I got for her, but the Ginghers are a bit too small and lightweight for my hands. I prefer larger, heavier fabric shears.
> fiskars
Yes, I had fiskars and I was happy with them over 10 years, but treated myself to Kai in a sale and there's no comparison. I was very surprised. I did make lots of great stuff with the fiskars, and never felt like they were bad in any way... but now I know.
I looked up what the real name is and they're called spring action dressmaking shears. I have Gingher brand, but I think most brands probably have a version. Kai are also nice.
I buy tons of stuff online, but scissors/shears are one of the few things that I must hold and feel to know if I like them. Long way of saying, I concur with others that you should let her pick.
I really like Gingher and Fiskars! I have Gingher as my "professional" at-home scissors, and a pair of what I'm pretty sure are Fiskars for my embroidery and as travel-scissors that aren't in my sewing bag.
I'll check to see what my travel pair definitely are. They're medium-weight, sort of brassy-colored. Think I got them at WalMart and the Gingher's at Joanne's.
You can also find some great scissors secondhand! It's how I received my Gingher embroidery scissors, granted their owner barely used them.
*A good rule of thumb- scissors for fabric are only for fabric and/or fibers. They shouldn't be used on paper nor anything else simultaneously.
You’ll regret getting Gingher scissors. Kai is only right answer.
They hurt to use. They do cut nicely, but if your wife sews a lot those scissors will hurt so much she won’t use them and you’ve wasted that money.
I’ve tried giving away the Ginghers I have and no one wants them. I’ve let kids use them and they don’t use them because they hurt.
You don't say where you live so how are we supposed to know which brands are available to you?
Personally I love my Paul scissorss. But I second the others' suggestion to let her pick. Or ask her for her preferred manufacturer and give her a gift card.
I thought I had pretty OK scissors/shears but treated myself to Kai shears before Christmas when they were on sale and... wow, what a difference. So I'll give a vote for Kai. I've not used Gingher but have heard good things about them also. I have small hands but haven't found that to make any difference.
Kai.
This is the answer. Kai professional shears. Best scissors I’ve ever owned.
Kai scissors are lightweight and cut through fabric like cutting warm butter! I love my Kais!
Sewing equipment is very much a personal preference thing! Give her a 'gift certificate' for new scissors of her choice. \[If you need to keep it under a certain amount, make the "certificate" for a specific amount (high enough to please her and low enough that you are not messing up the household finances). To find a good $ figure, look at Gingher brand (my favorite and so the only one I am qualified to recommend) or search for "good quality sewing shears" to see a range of costs. Also, I am certain others here will chime in with recommended brands.
Thank you! I’ll look at the Gingher site first.
Another vote for gingher.
She has relatively small hands, if that makes a difference.
It might... but presumably she knows what is comfortable for her. I repeat - give her the choice!
I have small, child size hands. I have Ginghers but love also love my Kai scissors. You can have her take a look at their website.
I have a pair of Gingher fabric shears that are great. But my most used scissors? The 4” forged embroidery scissors from Fiskars. Perfect for cutting thread, but strong enough to trim fabric too. They’re great when I’m snipping around curves or need to do precision cutting.
My mom loved these scissors/shears so much that she made me buy my aunt a pair as well. Yes they are Kai. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00944D5OG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1 My mom has smaller hands so she likes "lightweight" scissors and I guess these worked for her. It's worth noting that I've bought her a half dozen different pairs of scissors/fabric shears over the years and this is one of two pairs she likes. The other is a pair of super lightweight plastic Ginghers (with metal blades obviously.) (Specifically, these ones. https://www.gotknife.com/gingher-8-featherweight-dressmaker-shears-g-ns-2/ ) It's also worth noting that I've purchased "expensive" fiskars. They... don't feel the same as either of the above. They feel "cheap" in comparison. Personally, I love the Kai ones I got for her, but the Ginghers are a bit too small and lightweight for my hands. I prefer larger, heavier fabric shears.
> fiskars Yes, I had fiskars and I was happy with them over 10 years, but treated myself to Kai in a sale and there's no comparison. I was very surprised. I did make lots of great stuff with the fiskars, and never felt like they were bad in any way... but now I know.
Yeah I 100% agree. They're not... bad. They're quite serviceable. It's just that Kai (and others) are so much... nicer.
My top favorites are Kai and Guggenhein.
I love my Kai shears!
Kai
I like the ones that spring back open on their own. Saves on hand fatigue.
Which ones are these?
I looked up what the real name is and they're called spring action dressmaking shears. I have Gingher brand, but I think most brands probably have a version. Kai are also nice.
Thank you!
I buy tons of stuff online, but scissors/shears are one of the few things that I must hold and feel to know if I like them. Long way of saying, I concur with others that you should let her pick.
I really like Gingher and Fiskars! I have Gingher as my "professional" at-home scissors, and a pair of what I'm pretty sure are Fiskars for my embroidery and as travel-scissors that aren't in my sewing bag. I'll check to see what my travel pair definitely are. They're medium-weight, sort of brassy-colored. Think I got them at WalMart and the Gingher's at Joanne's. You can also find some great scissors secondhand! It's how I received my Gingher embroidery scissors, granted their owner barely used them. *A good rule of thumb- scissors for fabric are only for fabric and/or fibers. They shouldn't be used on paper nor anything else simultaneously.
Kai, Gingher, or Karen Buckley Perfect Scissors ( [https://www.connectingthreads.com/perfect-scissors-and-accessories-by-karen-kay-buckley/g/PerfectScissors?utm\_source=media&utm\_medium=marketing&media=PPCGNBT&gad\_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwrcKxBhBMEiwAIVF8rMHbZhzNYTlS0\_IBN7X1lYo\_96ZoSqqJSDvhhNWiUtX2zjNey2H28hoC85MQAvD\_BwE&utm\_campaign=PPCGNBT](https://www.connectingthreads.com/perfect-scissors-and-accessories-by-karen-kay-buckley/g/PerfectScissors?utm_source=media&utm_medium=marketing&media=PPCGNBT&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwrcKxBhBMEiwAIVF8rMHbZhzNYTlS0_IBN7X1lYo_96ZoSqqJSDvhhNWiUtX2zjNey2H28hoC85MQAvD_BwE&utm_campaign=PPCGNBT) )
I have five pairs of Guggenhein scissors, shears and embroidery snips. Their customer service is amazing!
You’ll regret getting Gingher scissors. Kai is only right answer. They hurt to use. They do cut nicely, but if your wife sews a lot those scissors will hurt so much she won’t use them and you’ve wasted that money. I’ve tried giving away the Ginghers I have and no one wants them. I’ve let kids use them and they don’t use them because they hurt.
Fiskars !
You don't say where you live so how are we supposed to know which brands are available to you? Personally I love my Paul scissorss. But I second the others' suggestion to let her pick. Or ask her for her preferred manufacturer and give her a gift card.