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Choosing the Right Type of Scissors for Your Project

Depending on the cutting operations and materials a project is working with, there are various styles of industrial scissors to choose from. While some may offer similar benefits and functions, most fabric and sewing scissors have specific cutting capabilities. Understand the compositions of a few popular designs to determine suitable scissors that meet project requirements.

Dressmaker’s Scissors
Dressmaker Shears 571/8i

A versatile scissors design, dressmaker’s scissors can be used for many cutting functions. Typically, dressmaker’s scissors have long, tapered blades, with one blunted tip and one sharp tip to prevent snagging. Offering great handling and precision, the dressmaker’s scissors can cut through one or several layers of fabric with ease. Dressmaker’s scissors feature a bent handle for a smooth cutting experience, providing a comfortable design for cutting fabric and patterns or trimming seams and threads. Some popular dressmaker’s scissors options are:

Tailor’s Scissors

Tailoring Shears 571/10
Tailor’s scissors offer another multi-purpose cutting option with high-quality characteristics. The heavy-duty design of tailor’s scissors includes exceptionally sharp blades for expert precision and comfortable finger holes. Tailor’s scissors traits allow for efficient cutting, even when working with thicker fabrics, like leather. Excellent for a variety of cutting functions, these scissors are favored for industrial and commercial projects, as well as quilting and crafting. Standard models of Belmont tailor’s scissors include:

Embroidery and Applique Scissors

Embroidery Scissors 290/4i
When extra precision is required, embroidery and applique scissors are the perfect cutting solution. Embroidery and applique scissors feature sharp, fine or super-fine tips, single-finger loops, and narrow blades. Designed for delicate needlework and high-accuracy trimming, these styles help cut important threads without damaging fabric. Applique scissors are specialized embroidery scissors engineered for specific functions like trimming stitched-down applique. Belmont offerings for embroidery and applique scissors include the following styles:

Pinking Shears

Pinking Shears 509B
Working with smooth and wispy fabrics can pose distinct challenges in cutting; light, flimsy fabrics may be more susceptible to damage and fraying threads when using general purpose scissors. Pinking shears are a specialized cutting solution for delicate fabrics, such as silks and satins. With a serrated blade, pinking shears create a zig-zag pattern in unfinished cloth edges to minimize fabric damage and limit fraying threads.

Thread Nippers

Thread Nipper 504N
Sometimes referred to as finger scissors, thread nippers offer ultra-fine precision for thread trimming. Thread nippers have incredibly sharp blades, with the loop fitting around the ring finger so the thumb and index finger can compress for speed and precision. At the same time, a hand-held design allows for accessible material handling without removing the clippers. These specialized scissors deliver efficiency when completing a project, providing easy seam and thread trim-ups that create an aesthetically pleasing finished fabric edge. Our preferred Belmont thread nippers are:

Heavy-Duty Shears

Heavy-Duty Shears 275/5B
Heavy-duty shears are industrial scissors built to last, perfect for cutting thick textiles and demanding cutting applications. When working with tough or weighty fabrics, heavy-duty shears slice through multiple layers and complete challenging projects. Industrial heavy-duty shears come in various blade and cut lengths to meet the requirements of many operations. Providing blade sharpness and durability, heavy-duty shears are ideal for automotive, upholstery, and furniture construction applications. Favored styles of heavy-duty shears are:

Belmont Scissors Specialized Styles

Upholstery Scissors USS/175
Diamond Needle manufactures a wide range of design options for scissors and shears. Discover a suitable cutting solution for your project using the left selector. Application-specific scissors from Diamond Needle include:

What are Industrial Scissors Used for?

A fundamental tool for any sewing kit, scissors clip threads, trim loose ends, and cut an array of fabric materials. Industrial fabric scissors are specific to cutting fabrics, with various design options to perform specialized operations, like embroidery scissors or pinking shears. Unlike regular scissors, fabric scissors use a sharp blade to deliver precision cuts with a comfortable, ergonomic handle shape for high-quality end products. In addition to accuracy and quality, heavy-duty scissors are durable, offering a reliable tool for various projects, including upholstery. Belmont scissors are ideal for cutting operations in many industries, such as:

How to Sharpen Industrial Scissors

Over time, scissors can become dull with use, but there are a variety of sharpening methods for fabric scissors. While most sharpening techniques can be tested and successfully used at home, one way to ensure no damage occurs during sharpening is to take the scissors to a professional. However, standard sharpening instruments like knife sharpeners or a sharpening stone can quickly revitalize dull industrial scissor blades. Household items like sandpaper, aluminum foil, and steel wool offer fast and easy sharpening potential by simply cutting the available material. In a pinch, sharpening can be done using a sewing needle or pin using the proper technique.

What are the Differences between Scissors and Shears?

Though both are examples of cutting tools, scissors and shears are designed for specific purposes. The differences between scissors and shears primarily exist in their design and application, with blade size being a recognizable visual indicator of whether the instruments are scissors or shears. Scissors can be all-purpose or application-specific in sewing and textile operations, as well as other industrial cutting uses, and shears are more suited to providing clean, precision cuts in fabric. These cutting tools can be used interchangeably, but shears dull faster when cutting non-fabric materials, and specialized scissors like trimmers may not always yield the desired results when handling fabric-cutting operations.  

Find Premium Industrial Scissors and Sewing Implements at Diamond Needle

With decades of experience, Diamond Needle is an experienced manufacturer of industrial sewing products. Our product inventory has offerings for various domestic and industrial sewing operations to meet the requirements of your projects, including specialized notions for advanced functions. We proudly offer sewing machine needles, accessories, supplies, and tools, like high-quality Belmont brand scissors, for fast and reliable deliveries at cost-effective prices. Contact us with your questions or request a quote today. 

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