Written by Aashu, owner of Stitch Partner. Our offline business has served tailors, boutiques and garment units since 1989, and scissors care is one of the questions we hear most at the counter.
Use them only on fabric, keep the blades clean, store them closed, and put a drop of oil on the pivot screw now and then. A pair used only on cloth can go for years before it needs professional sharpening. Paper, tape and cardboard blunt scissors far faster than fabric does. If you need a fresh pair, browse our cloth cutting scissors in 9 to 12 inch sizes.
Fabric folds between the blades when the pivot (tension) screw is too loose, or when the edges are dull or nicked. Tighten the screw slightly until the blades meet cleanly along their full length without dragging. If the problem continues, the edge needs sharpening. Cutting across pins is a common cause of nicks, so remove pins before you cut.
Cutting paper, cardboard or plastic sheets. Paper contains clay and calcium carbonate fillers that are far more abrasive than fabric fibres.
Cutting across pins.
Letting the pivot screw work loose.
Dropping the scissors, which can chip a high-carbon edge.
Storing them open or damp.
Trying to sharpen them by cutting foil or sandpaper. This does not restore an edge.
Wipe the blades clean after each day of cutting, and keep one pair only for cloth. Use a separate pair of thread snips for trimming so your main shears stay sharp. Apply a small amount of oil to the pivot screw from time to time, and store the scissors closed. Workshops that sharpen in-house can use a professional electric scissors sharpener.
High-carbon steel holds a finer edge but is brittle and rusts if stored damp. Stainless steel resists rust, which suits humid cities, but it is less strong. Choose by how many hours a day you cut. For help choosing a size, read the best cloth cutting scissors in India price guide.
If the blades are bent, the pivot is worn loose, or the edge is badly chipped, a new pair is usually the better choice. For high-volume cutting, a cordless electric fabric scissor with a replaceable blade can also save effort. See the electric scissors for fabric cutting guide, or look at the PIN-7300 12 inch tailoring scissors and the USHA stainless-steel tailor scissors.