All About Scissors

In addition to wonderful rotary cutters, did you know that OLFA has a line of scissors too? They are workhorses, guaranteed to meet your sewing and craft needs. But like any tool, they need to be kept in shape so they can do their jobs.

Link to: https://olfa.com/collections/craft?pf_t_product_type=Product+Type_Scissors

Keep scissors in a cool and dry place. In high-humidity areas, regularly wipe the blades with a light coating of oil to prevent rust or corrosion.

Store your scissors with the blades closed to avoid nicking the edges with other objects.

Adhesive residue can build up on scissors when you cut through sticky materials. Keeping the inside of the blades clean will extend the life of the cutting blade, keeping the cutting action smooth. Use Goof-Off or Goo-Gone and a heavy rag to clean the blades.

Several times a year, oil the pivot screw to keep your scissors moving freely. Just put one drop of sewing machine oil on the pivot point. Open and close the scissors a few times to work in the oil, then wipe off the excess.

Gently wipe off the blades with a soft fabric scrap at the end of the day to prevent lint and tiny particles from building up on the blades and clogging the pivot screw.

Don’t use a knife sharpener on your scissors. It will ruin the blade. Take them to a professional to sharpen the edges.

Using an applique scissors will make your projects mistake-free when cutting out shapes. They are designed for that use.

Use scissors for their intended use – cutting. Using them to pry something open, or to screw, or cut through hard materials will damage them and could void a warranty.

For safety, use scissors while sitting or standing at a counter. When handing a scissors to someone else, the handle should be pointed toward them and the point away.

Keep fabric and crafting scissors away from children unless you are supervising them. Place them away from the edges of a table or cutting table. Ideally, they should be placed in a drawer that children can’t access when not being used.

Fabric and paper scissors should be kept apart. Don’t use fabric scissors on paper. Mark your fabric scissors so you don’t forget.

If you’re using pins to hold a pattern in place, avoid hitting them. Pins cause a nick in the blade that is hard to get out.

When doing rock-paper-scissors, always choose scissors, even though paper covers scissors.

With a little bit of extra care, your hardworking scissors will last years and years!!