High Performance Scissors Question

[FortyTwoBlades]

Why is it there's not much discussion of quality utility scissors? In spite of being a common household item, and being as varied in pattern as knives are, they get payed little attention. About a year ago I set out on a personal quest to discover a high-end pair of rugged general purpose scissors. My final pick? The 758LR by Heritage Cutlery. USA-made high-leverage shears in hot-forged 440C. And what did these wonders cost? A mere $26. And since they were originally designed for the poultry industry, I could probably take a finger off with them!

The only scissors on the market that get much attention are hair scissors. Fabric shears get a bit of attention too, but much less so. Are we really that uncaring about our household scissors?

Discuss.:thumbup:

 

[THG]

Well what do I do with scissors... I cut paper; that's about it. Hair-popping sharp or not, 440C or 440C-hina - it still cuts. That's whether or not it can cut my finger.

I do have to get my hands on a pair of American-made scissors, though. I guess it's just kind of hard to get into scissors the same way we get into knives lol

 

[foxx]

I've had a couple of pair of kitchen shears. Heinkels and Whustof, both are affordable, but the Heinkels are better made, and can cut through a chicken like it's boneless.

Sooner or later I'll need another pair. Having an excellent pair is nice, but like yours, they can be had for less than $50ish. Maybe they need to be "tactical" or have some G-10 or carbon fiber handles, oh and a cool name, then they might get some more attention.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I'm looking into getting some done up with this grind. 3" cut, hot forged 440C, break-down pivot, high leverage bent shanks. The fine point will start holes and make precise cuts in thin materials, while the primary grind is more robust for heavy work on tough targets. We'll see if it comes to fruition or not--it's still in discussion.

Seriously, though, I think it'd be nice to see a set of shears put out of the same caliber that we see in quality production knives. I'd use the hell out of them, and I think that us knife nuts have almost had aversion to scissors because of our friends and relations always using them to open their boxes and whatnot instead of using a knife. It's the association that's getting us, I think, and yet the real problem is people using an edged tool (scissors) in an inappropriate manner (to cut like a knife instead of using a knife.)

Scissors are fantastic for making cuts either A) where straight lines or precise shapes must be cut, B) where the material we're trying to cut would have to be cut against a cutting board to support it if using a knife, and C) where increased leverage is required to make the cut. Right now the closest thing we have to "Tactical Scissors" are medical shears. While impressive in what they can do, they're ultimately pretty chintzy and could be made much better. Scissors are like two knives connected with a pivot--what isn't there for a knife nut to love?

 

[foxx]

I'd like to see a pair with a break down pivot, and handles that allow for each half to become it's own weapon/knife/dagger. In a pinch I could do that with my Whustof shears, but the handles are designed to be siccors, not independant knives.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

CRKT came out with some scissors that convert into a knife , but knife edges and scissors edges are designed for different functions so a scissor blade will never cut the same due to its comparatively obtuse edge, though the chisel grind won't interfere with making low-angle cuts. The handles are designed as they are for a reason, though, so modifying them for use as a knife isn't an easy task. The frame I'm basing mine off of are comfortable for use as such to an extent, but are certainly less comfortable than an actual knife handle. If the project follows through and I end up with them I'm getting some kydex done for mine.

 

[foxx]

I know what you mean about the edge differences. I'm just thinking how the two halves could be seperated, then used as dual daggers, you know if that chicken is really alive, and it gets pissed, and attacks me!

I'm just brainstorming on how to make siccors more appealing to the knife crowd. Kydex sheaths, tactical grips, black coatings, you know what I mean.

Hell, if fixed blades knives are illegal in one's area, what about some tactical shears? Hide the fact that you're carrying two daggers. "Oh, these are for my work officer".

Even if they don't come apart, some siccors would still be a stabbing implement. But, it's not a weapon, till your using it as such.

Also, it depends on what a person does, at work and home. I worked in the culinary industry, and needed some poultry shears. Otherwise, I had no nice siccors. So, many people just haven't needed, or known about, an excellent quality set of shears, they just aren't on their radar. Even knives aren't on most people's radar, as far as quality ones.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

When I worked at Lowe's they had a strict "no-knife" policy and would only let you carry a box cutter with an auto-retracting blade that had a round tip on it. >_<

I made do by carrying my Klein electrician's scissors in a leather case. Used them all the time for cutting hose, rope, wire, etc. for customers, and was able to use them for knife-like tasks to add new hanging holes to damaged packaging and open boxes. They were a dream.

To be honest, the self-defense aspect is ONE of the many reasons I'd like to have a pair produced with a point geometry like I outlined, and the break-apart pivot WOULD make it easy for you to use them defensively if needed, or for use as a knife in cases where the other blade gets in the way. Also make for easier blade maintenance, as you can work the backside of the blade to remove dings in an edge without causing problems with the scissors' function. What I was mostly getting at was that crossing functions is doable, but not necessarily easy. Who knows...maybe scissors are the new butterfly swords for urban-goers.