Places to find good quality shears

[SO_tailor]

Does anyone know a good quality shear manufacturer? I've been hoping to replace my  9" Fiskars with something a bit more professional. Something a bit more heavy, a bit long (10-12") and high quality, and if possible is there any good areas to find vintage shears? Thanks and regards — Solomon

[hutch--]

Hi Sol, it would be hard to improve on a big pair of Wilkison tailors shears. They are not cheap but they are very good quality. Hand them down to your grandkids.

https://www.whiteley.co.uk/

[Schneiderfrei]

I much prefer second hand/antique shears.

Wiss, Heinisch, Wilkinson.

I would try to pay as little as possible. Check photos or the actual for rust, divets, bendy blades, excessive wear.  Hutch should be able tomake a better list.

Also for tailoring work, nothing under 10 inches.  12 or 13 is great.  15 inches is a holy grail, though you may or may not be able to handle them.

Have a look. I've never paid much more than $50 for a pair.  You should find a reliable sharpening service, not some flashy new guy, but an old guy who has old machines with big wheels to spin the grit.

G

[SO_tailor]

Thanks

[SO_tailor]

I much prefer second hand/antique shears.

Wiss, Heinisch, Wilkinson.

I would try to pay as little as possible. Check photos or the actual for rust, divets, bendy blades, excessive wear.  Hutch should be able tomake a better list.G

Graham, do you have a recommended antique store, via online or a in-person shop?

[SO_tailor]

Hi Sol, it would be hard to improve on a big pair of Wilkison tailors shears. They are not cheap but they are very good quality. Hand them down to your grandkids.

Thanks Hutch, do you have any experience with their EXO series?

[Schneiderfrei]

Although, living in Australia, I have bought a couple of shears from the US with Ebay, its actually local that have the best deals.

Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree.

G

[hutch--]

Sol,

I do own a couple of pair of Wilkinson shears, one antique, the other a modern pair that I had to repair. The old Wiss and Heinisch are very good shears but really hard to get and even harder to get in good condition. I retore an old pair from time to time but they take days to do properly and you are lucky to get a pair that can be restored.

I would have a look around but I doubt these days that you can get other big shears that are new.

[SO_tailor]

Their EXO series does looks interesting, it seems to resemble the older models they made tears ago, do you have any experience with their EXO series? https://www.whiteley.co.uk/exo-2021/

[hutch--]

Sadly no but if you have a look at the link in my signature, I am primarily into Wiss and Heinisch antique shears, all of which are perfect but they take a lot of work to restore properly.

[Der Zuschneider]

Sol,

I do own a couple of pair of Wilkinson shears, one antique, the other a modern pair that I had to repair. The old Wiss and Heinisch are very good shears but really hard to get and even harder to get in good condition. I retore an old pair from time to time but they take days to do properly and you are lucky to get a pair that can be restored.

I would have a look around but I doubt these days that you can get other big shears that are new.

I now got 3 Heinisch two 13 inch and 1 x 15.5 inch in rust free, no pitting conditom. They are just dull and need to be polished and the paint of the handles need to be stripped and repainted. I might do that after WW3 if the cutlery in LA is still existing then. Those shears are now costing an arm and a leg in this condition. I saw good restorable shears of that kind for 500 pounds.

[Schneiderfrei]

I see those 500 pound shears sit there for along time. That's is not a selling price. Just a show off.

[SO_tailor]

I see everyone has replied to this two year old post I made eh?

WHAT TOOK SO LONG!?

I'm just kidding! Speaking of all this shear talk I found a place called Ernest Wright. They have this amazing looking pair of shears that I hope to get as soon their available.

Link here: https://www.ernestwright.co.uk/product/13-heritage-shears/

They look reminiscent of those good shears from old. They're just beautiful in every aspect.

[stoo23]

Mmmm, they 'look' Superb !!   

[Der Zuschneider]

I see those 500 pound shears sit there for along time. That's is not a selling price. Just a show off.

Nobody buys them, redicolous.