TAILORS' SHEARS

[stoo23]

I came across this almost by accident.

It may interest someone here if you are not already aware of it or seen this article 

https://www.meyerandmortimer.com/bespoke-1/2018/11/16/tailors-shears

[Greger]

Good article. Thanks for posting it. They certainly don't make shears like that anymore that I know of. When buying shears now there is no selection to choose from. The old blacksmiths could reshape and balance them for the customer. Who can do that now? These tools skills and knowledge is fast disappearing. This one wooden ship builder had 4 or 5 adzes and for every specific job he would make a new handle for the one he chose. He spent several months or a couple of years at the union hall learning how and the why's to do this. Modern machinery allows for many shortcuts but not replace all the hand work for quality. How many people can mow their lawn with a scythe as good as a regular lawnmower, nowadays? Farmers who cut their hay were very good with a scythe. So much incredible knowledge and skills are being lost.

[Schneiderfrei]

"The shears are not your property!" I knew it!

I was certain 30 years ago that when old tailors died they were buried with their shears, and books. Now that looks like a real possibility.

Maybe the shears choose the tailor???

[Greger]

It's interesting about oiling the shears with hair oil. But, what kind of soaps where available and, added hair products. Did they add some sort of oil to their hair for combing? To keep it in place. Rubbing their shears in hair products that's in their hair. A bath once a week. That hair would have more oil from the body than hair of today that is washed daily.

[Schneiderfrei]

I'm more in favour of the Japanese concept of camelia oil, actually, probably smells nicer.

[stoo23]

Just to be Correct  it's Camellia Oil, Not Camelia oil   

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camellia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_seed_oil

I purchased a bottle some years back, via ebay, but many places carry it now, especially good Gardening and/or Woodworking Tool stores.

Has been used for Centuries to maintain Japanese cutting, gardening and tools such as chisels and planes as well kitchen knives swords and other Natural & polished carbon steel implements etc.

[Schneiderfrei]

No problems being spell checked.

We have carbitec here, they probably have it.

[stoo23]

Yeah they definitely carry it 

[Steelmillal]

Baby oil. It's ultra filtered mineral oil (petrolium oil) without additives and found everywhere. I use leather dubbin (animal fats) for use short storage and petroleum jelly for long term shelf life.

[Steelmillal]

These tools skills and knowledge is fast disappearing. This one wooden ship builder had 4 or 5 adzes and for every specific job he would make a new handle for the one he chose. He spent several months or a couple of years at the union hall learning how and the why's to do this... ...So much incredible knowledge and skills are being lost.

Greger, you are in Washington, yeah, so this might be familiar when wood reigned supreme.
https://archive.org/details/Duckworth1923ShipJoineryUpld

[Steelmillal]

Don't' forget this very helpful page. Hutch was one of the few that collected the brand I do, and what he presented was factual and accurate in method.
https://movsd.com/tailors_shears/

[Der Zuschneider]

I bought a nice 13 inch Heinisch.

Is there any professional in the USA, who can refurbish them?
I have one in Germany but there must be someone also here, who I can trust.

[manny]

I bought a nice 13 inch Heinisch.

Is there any professional in the USA, who can refurbish them?
I have one in Germany but there must be someone also here, who I can trust.

Try Ross Cutlery in Los Angeles, they offer sharpening and repair/restoration services. I've taken a couple shears for sharpening and have been happy with the results.

They're website isn't up to date, best to call them or visit in person. http://rosscutlery.com/repair-restoration/

[Der Zuschneider]

I bought a nice 13 inch Heinisch.

Is there any professional in the USA, who can refurbish them?
I have one in Germany but there must be someone also here, who I can trust.

Try Ross Cutlery in Los Angeles, they offer sharpening and repair/restoration services. I've taken a couple shears for sharpening and have been happy with the results.

They're website isn't up to date, best to call them or visit in person. http://rosscutlery.com/repair-restoration/

Can you send me a picture of their work from one of your shears? Uschoen@hotmail.com

[Der Zuschneider]

Today, I got a 15.5 inch Heinisch in excellent condition. She just need to be sharpened and polished and I have to repaint the handles. Such shears are now sold at 600$ in this condition. Prices have risen ridiculous. 

Even Mueller Cutting books are now at 450$. I wanted to sell them here 3 years ago for 100$ but nobody of you were interested in those books. Lucky me, I am selling them good book by book.