Episode 171: All About Scissors

Crafty Ass Female

More about this week's show:

Scissors are so important as a scrapbooker! Here's a rundown of the scissors we talked about on today's show and the things they are best at.

Everyday/all-around scissors: Grey/Yellow -- Westcott 8" Titanium Bonded Scissors

These are my everyday go-to scissors. I cut everything with these. I use them for Daily Pages, stickers, washi tape, whatever I need on a regular basis. These scissors definitely get the most use.

Cutting straight lines: Purple -- Westcott Extreme Edge Titanium 9”

For cutting straight lines, the most important thing is a long blade with a 'bent' edge. I use these scissors for cutting straight lines on paper when my trimmer isn’t an option. Like when I need to cut paper that’s less than an inch wide, or when the paper is super small. Or when I don’t want to bring the trimmer with me on a trip.

Another pair of Westcott Titanium scissors. These are my paper-only scissors. I don’t let the blades go near anything sticky, gummy, or something too hard for them to cut.

Heavy-duty: Red -- Tonic Studios Tim Holtz Non-Stick Micro Serrated Snips, 7"

It can be hard to find these Tim Holtz micro-serrated scissors with the classic red handles these days, but black is just as good. These are my heavy-duty scissors. I use these to cut bits of metal, chipboard, or anything else that might be extra tough. These scissors will go through some of the more annoying embellishments -- plastic, coated paper, any of the weird stuff.

Detail work: Orange -- Fiskars Micro-Tip Scissors, 5”

These are my detail scissors. I use these Fiskars scissors to cut out anything small. Whether I want to hand-cut the letters of the alphabet and create my own title, or I want to fussy cut something from a patterned paper; these are my go-to scissors.

The small blade is easy to maneuver in tight spaces, and the sharp tip will make clean detailed cuts to keep tiny images looking as crisp as you can make them.

Scissor FAQ

You can get by with cheap scissors. This is not necessarily the first place that you have to invest, but when you do, your money will go far.

If you're in the USA you can take scissors in your carry on with up to 4" blades. This is from the pivot point (or screw) to the tip. But TSA has the discretion to take whatever they want, so don't take your favorite scissors.

You can clean scissors with soap and water. Don't get water into the area with the screw and make sure you dry them thoroughly. I personally like to use a microfiber cloth and rubbing alcohol to get any of the sticky stuff off.