Craft scissors are scissors designed specifically for arts and crafts. Craft scissors come in a variety of styles, from pinking shears, which create a wavy edge on cut objects, to children’s craft scissors, which have blunt blades to prevent injury. Craft scissors can be found in many craft stores, and they can also be ordered from specialty suppliers. Having a pair of utility craft scissors on hand can be extremely beneficial, as these scissors are extremely versatile.
Fabric scissors, which have a flattened loop with one blunt pointed blade and one sharp-pointed blade, are a common type of craft scissors. The flattened loop makes it easy to cut large swatches of fabric on a flat surface, and the different blades make it easy to cut fabric without snagging, with the dull blade running beneath the fabric and the sharp blade snipping down from above.
Children’s craft scissors typically have sheaths over their blades, as well as blunted tips and relatively dull blades, so that they do not injure themselves. Large craft shears for large-scale cutting projects and small craft scissors for fine detail work are also available. Sewing and embroidery scissors, for example, are often small and have very small blades, allowing for precise snipping without the risk of cutting the fabric. There are also some very esoteric types of craft scissors, such as knitting scissors that are designed to be safe for use on airplanes and have a small sheathed blade that usually passes airport security muster.
Customers who are unsure about which type of craft scissors to get can get recommendations from the staff at craft stores. Many stores will also let customers try out scissors before they buy them, so they can get a feel for how they work.
Fabric, paper, and a variety of other materials can all be cut with a pair of craft scissors. Most craft scissors will need to be sharpened on a regular basis, either at home with a whetstone or a professional. It’s a good idea to look for craft scissors with blades that can be successfully resharpened if necessary, as this will extend the life of the scissors. People should also look for scissors that are designed for their dominant hands or ambidextrous scissors that can be used both right and left handed people.