Been looking for larger shears

[Victoria Quinn]

I have a pair of Inspira 8" knife edge dressmaker shears currently, and they're good for most cutting.  However, I've been looking for a pair with some reach to cut some large swathes of fabric.  I have been focused in on the larger Wiss "N" series (13-14"), when I stumbled across these stunning Thomas Wilkinson shears.  I don't think I've seen a pair of shears with that blunt "straight razor" looking blade.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/909348546/thomas-wilkinson-sheffield-15-inch-brass?ref=as_recently_viewed-4

I'm not too well versed in the larger tailors shears, but I don't believe that they're for "leather" (as suggested in the ad).  I was guessing light to medium fabrics.  Can someone shed some light on what area these would be used to cut?

[Schneiderfrei]

I think you would be right about the leather.  Those would probably do garment leather ok, but nothing heavier than that.

Check ebay, gumtree, or marketplace for vintage shears, especially Wiss or Heinisch.

I'm in Australia, but this is the kind of thing (though these are offered at a premium price) to look for:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Antique-J-WISS-Dressmaker-Shears-Tailor-Scissors-Newark-NJ-Vintage-12/233239942700?hash=item364e2f162c:g:h30AAOSwnrlc7DZs

Graham

[Victoria Quinn]

In a moment of weakness, I woke up and made the 3am impulse buy.    Just hope I didn't screw up. As it is, I will be eating Ramen for a while.  Fingers crossed that these will make short work of the never ending circle skirt and swing coat cuts.

I'm still very interested in some insight into these shears.

[Steelmillal]

...uh oh...A competitor! Don't expect intervention here; just incorrigible encouragement.

[Victoria Quinn]

ha...  yeah...  I've been having too many of these 3am must have moments.  I'll gladly step out of the running for the "impulsive crown" if I can.  Although it did net me Wiss Model A pinking shears, Wilkinson 15" brass handle shears, and a mint Jiffy J3 steamer.

[hutch--]

This is the only pair of old Wilkinson shears I ever found. I have a museum collection of Wiss and Heinisch shears and I use Wiss for my own cutting but this pair of Wilkinson shears are nice enough to use. Big shears are usually used for speed, rarely ever leather. That is a comment by vendors to make them sound more useful.

http://www.movsd.com/tailors_shears/other.htm   <=== The top pair.

[Victoria Quinn]

This is the only pair of old Wilkinson shears I ever found. I have a museum collection of Wiss and Heinisch shears and I use Wiss for my own cutting but this pair of Wilkinson shears are nice enough to use. Big shears are usually used for speed, rarely ever leather. That is a comment by vendors to make them sound more useful.

http://www.movsd.com/tailors_shears/other.htm   <=== The top pair.

Beautiful shears. I kind of figured that would be the case with the leather.  I have always wondered if there was an appreciable  benefit  to having the extra heavy top blade on larger shears.

[Schneiderfrei]

The extra heavy top blade is for heavy cloth. 

Shirting only require a slender blade, but multiple layers of tweed eg need a reinforced blade.

I got some leather shears a couple of years ago, as part of a purchase.  They look much more like tin snips.

G

[hutch--]

Graham is right, if you can get a pair, get the type with the heavy top blade as they are a lot more rigid and have much better feel while cutting. While small scissors have their place, speed and accuracy are the advantage with a big pair that are in good nick.

[Victoria Quinn]

I just checked tracking and found out that the shears I ordered arrive today.  I am excited.  I just hope I have enough fabric laying around the house to "evaluate" them properly.  It's only playing if you don't have a purpose, right?   

** well, I just received the shears.  They are definitely NOT sharp, as was advertised.  I can't find a corner, let alone an edge on the blade (they're nice and round).  While the bolt is tight, the blades have a good amount of play in them (both roll and yaw).  I can easily put a fingernail in-between the bolt and the blade.  Needless to say that you can see a decent gap in the blades unless you pull the top blade in with your palm.  I'm not too well versed in these shears, but I think they need to be sent back.  I can't cut a single layer muslin.

[hutch--]

Hi Victoria,

A couple of things, from what you have said it sounds like the hinge needs to be shimmed which is common on old shears, the other is they need sharpening and then adjusting properly. It is normal with the blade geometry that there is more space at the hinge end than the tips.

I think you are in the UK and if so you have some decent places to get them sharpened and adjusted, elsewhere and you may be out of luck. This much, don't let a hick near a good pair of shears, pay someone who knows what they are doing so you don't get the guts ground out of them.

Whoops, I cheated and looked up where you live and its in the US. Just be careful where you send them and make sure they can do it properly.

For a modern pair of Wiss shears, I have a couple of pairs and they are very good.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/133550960202?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-139619-5960-0&mkcid=2&itemid=133550960202&targetid=921324726220&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9071774&poi=&campaignid=9767741249&mkgroupid=100117146616&rlsatarget=pla-921324726220&abcId=578876&merchantid=7364522&gclid=CjwKCAiAjp6BBhAIEiwAkO9WumJsZKolDMhAirlVro_lJnPsaUnRixIEF0UqqypbDtXA6E0Fj-AEWxoCE8MQAvD_BwE

[Steelmillal]

Last ditch effort if you strike out with anyone active sharpening these: talk to a machine shop and find put who does their cutters. Edge is an edge is an edge, geometry assumed to the material. An old guy who can sharpen by hand is what you want, IFF no one is set up to sharpen shears.


You could do it by hand yourself, but then wouldn't find someone you may want to know for other things. Avoid hardware stores unless the fellow is as old as Moses' Daddy; and even then be there with him to monitor effort.


Won't go into belleville springs, etc., but it is relevant to cutting action. Since in USA, Home Depot has wiss W22Ns, etc. cheap...

[Victoria Quinn]

I will have to think on it because I don't really know anyone that could possibly appraise the repairs to the shears.  I am currently in Tennessee helping an Army friend watch her two kids while this COVID fiasco is going on, and I actually "live" in Washington; so I'm pretty unfamiliar with the area. The random sharp edges and burrs on the hoops, an almost leaded feel to the blades, and having been advertised sharp and tight for a $220 (USD) price point; I'm not sure if I want to gamble on them.  I have already let the seller know of my discontentment yesterday.  The packing was utter trash for shipping. It was wrapped in a thin layer of bubble wrap and placed loose in a large postal box to flop around.  Just highly disappointed in the experience.  I wouldn't be against taking a chance on them if they weren't priced at such a premium, but something about these shears just feels "off".

[hutch--]

Basically if they arrived in one piece with no damage, there is no point wasting your time chewing the ear of the vendor, the action is to find someone who is set up to sharpen these shears properly and they must exist in the US. Very few can do a class job by hand and I would try and have a look at their work before you let them touch the shears.

Don't be afraid to tell anyone who you send them to, to NOT butcher them. Have a look at the following URL.

http://www.movsd.com/tailors_shears/maintaining.htm

[Schneiderfrei]

Unfortunately MukPuk is quite correct.