If you are serious about your sewing passion, getting pinking sheared is a must-have (or is it a must-do?). They aren’t tools that are required for sewing, but once you master the craft a little bit more, you will discover that there are many fun things you can accomplish with pinking shears. They will help add more versatility to your projects, so why don’t we gain a little more knowledge on how to choose them and check out some really good products while you’re here?
Quick Comparisons Of The 5 Best Pinking Shears For Crafts
| IMAGE | BRAND | FEATURES | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | P.LOTOR Pinking Shears |
| View Product | |
 | Gingher Pinking Shears |
| View Product | |
 | Fiskars Pinking Shears |
| View Product | |
 | KAI Sewing & Craft Scissors |
| View Product | |
 | JISTL Pinking Shears |
| View Product |
Choosing Pinking Shears
Even if they are called shears, these tools resemble scissors, but with a twist. Using pinking shears is similar to using scissors but they have a different type of blade compared to what we’re used to seeing in such products. The blades on a pinking shear are saw-toothed rather than straight, and when you use them to cut, they will leave behind a zigzag pattern.
As you can expect, pinking shears also have characteristics that can vary from one brand to another, and while you’re likely to find identical products from different brands, knowing the features of these products will help you make a more informed shopping decision.
Size
The size of your shears is just as important as the size of any tool that you use for your sewing or other crafts. If the shears aren’t of the right size, you will find it very difficult to manipulate them with ease.
When it comes to this type of product, the most important thing is the length of the blades. If you have pinking shears with long blades, which means that you will have to make fewer cuts, which translates into less effort on your behalf. If you’re working on crafts that require you to cut small fabrics, then you should always look for the pinking shears with the longest blades.
Weight
The weight of the shears is also very important for the same reason as mentioned earlier, but here is where things get counterintuitive. You might think that you should buy lightweight shears because they are easier to manipulate but opting for heavier ones is the right way to go.
This is because cheap and flimsy pinking shears won’t last very long, and quality stainless steel shears are the ones who weigh more. In other words, the weight of the pinking shears is a reflection of the quality of the product. The heavier the shears are, the better cuts you will end up making.
Comfort
When you put these two aspects together, you can’t help but consider comfort. Here is what you should know: pinking shears will never be as comfortable to use as regular scissors because they are bulkier, and they weigh more.
Even if you want to purchase shears that are easy to open and close, this isn’t always the case. That’s because this type of product generally requires some elbow grease to manipulate, and that’s perfectly normal and not a reflection of a low-quality product.
Sharpness
The sharpness of the pinking shears you want to buy plays a major part in the buying process. That’s because, unlike a normal pair of scissors, pinking shears are harder to sharpen by yourself. They have a lot of indents, which means that it’s best if you just purchase a pair that’s razor-sharp from the get-go.
How to Care for Your Shears
As we’ve mentioned before, sharpening your pinking shears isn’t as easy as it is to sharpen a normal pair of scissors, which is why we thought some tips might come in handy:
- A great way to make sure that your pinking shears stay sharp for a long time is to cut certain materials with them on a regular basis. FALSE! There are a lot of tutorials that will tell you that cutting Brillo pads and aluminum foil is a great way to sharpen shears, but the truth is that you might actually be damaging the blades.
- The best way to go around this is to get your shears professionally sharpened. Depending on where you live, this can cost you less than $5, which isn’t that big of an investment especially if you own expensive shears.
- You also want to make sure that your shears are oiled as frequently as possible. This will help tone down some of the pressure that you have to use to operate them. Make sure that the connection screw is oiled properly. You can use sewing machine oil, which is special in the sense that it doesn’t stain fabric. You can also use coconut oil.
- Whenever you are done using your pinking shears for the day, make sure they are dry and clean. This will help prevent any potential rust from forming on the blades.
Top 5 Pinking Shears Reviews
In the next section of our article, we are going to walk you through a top five of the most appreciated pinking shears that money can buy, adding something in here for beginners, professionals, but also for those who are on a budget.
1. P.LOTOR Pinking Shears
- Available colors: 4
- Length: 9.3 inches
The first top rated item on the list is a very chic set of pinking shears available in beautiful colors like purple or orange. The blades are made from stainless steel which is pretty much the material of choice if you want to manufacture a product that’s resistant and resilient.
The blades measure 9.3 inches each which is a very good length. The handles are soft and have a rubber feel to them, but the most important thing is the fact that they provide a good grip on the product.
There is a ball bearing joint that keeps the blades together and provides smooth cuts every time you use these shears. They are great for cutting fabrics, paper, carton, and a multitude of other materials that you could use for crafting projects.
Who Should Purchase This?
The P.LOTOR pinking shears are designed for people who want a longer than the average blade and a pair of shears that works great when trying to cut fabric and paper.
Pros:
- Stainless steel blades.
- 9.3-inch length.
- Good handle grip.
- Great for multiple crafts.
Cons:
- Hard to open.
2. Gingher Pinking Shears
- Available colors: 1
- Length: 7.5 inches
These pinking shears are absolute beasts in terms of durability and the versatility of materials you can cut with them, and that is absolutely something that’s reflected in the price of the product. They cost a little more than what you’d expect to pay for a product of this type, but if you are serious about sewing, you will love them.
The blades measure 7.5 inches each and plenty of people use them for making beautiful finishes on seams. That doesn’t mean they can’t be used for a variety of other crafts as well. For the best results each time, the manufacturer recommends cutting only one piece of fabric at once. Also, make sure that the blades are clean of any lint before each use.
Who Should Purchase This?
The Gingher pinking shears are a premium product designed for more professional sewers, as they require a larger investment up front.
Pros:
- Good for seams finish.
- Ravel-resistant cut.
- Good for distinctive edges.
- Durable.
Cons:
- Expensive.
3. Fiskars 12-94458697WJ Pinking Shears
- Available colors: 1
- Length: 8 inches
If you’re wondering why this is the “best overall” type of product, it’s because Fiskars is a champ at making these kinds of tools. If you’ve ever used a Fiskars product before, you know what we’re talking about.
This particular set of pinking shears is made with an 8-inch blade, with the mention that the lower blade is a bit extended to make it easier to lift the fabric as you attempt to cut it. This results in finer cuts every time.
As expected, the blades are made from really fine and high-quality stainless steel and feature sharp edges that will offer precise results. The handle offers a really good grip and features an ergonomic design for you to manipulate the pinking shears with ease. They are backed up by a lifetime warranty.
Who Should Purchase This?
If you value quality and want a set of pinking shears that are made by one of the world leaders in the industry, the Fiskars shears are your go-to product.
Pros:
- Stainless steel blade.
- Ergonomic grip.
- Quality construction.
- Lifetime warranty.
Cons:
- It requires pressure for thick fabrics.
4. KAI Sewing & Craft Scissors
- Available colors: 1
- Length: 4 inches
Do you want a pair of scissors that will assist you in your sewing endeavors? Sure, having a sewing machine with an automatic thread cutter is nice, but it’s not something everyone has. And even if you are one of the lucky ones, that doesn’t mean that a fine pair of scissors shouldn’t find its way into your arsenal.
Presenting KAI, the miniature scissors that are perfect for cutting through thin pieces of fabric, but mostly through a thread. They are a great tool to have if you are into sewing and crafts. They provide you with a one-inch cut, while the total length of the scissors is four inches. The small blades will allow close cutting, while the cutting edge is professionally honed.
Who Should Purchase This?
Are you looking for a small pair of scissors that can help you cut the thread when you’re sewing and which is perfect for embroidery work as well? The KAI scissors might be just what you’re looking for.
Pros:
- Good for thread cutting.
- Useful for sewing and embroidery.
- Close cutting.
- Easy to handle.
Cons:
- Flimsy for thicker cuts.
5. JISTL Pinking Shears
- Available colors: 1
- Length: 9.5 inches
The last pair of pinking shears on today’s list comes from JISTL and it is a budget buy for people who want such a tool for less than $10. They come with an ergonomic green handle that allows you to get a good grip even when your hands are a little bit sweaty.
The blades are made from the same type of stainless steel that’s used to make some of the other pinking shears we’ve shown you in this round-up. With a length of 9.5 inches, these zigzag shears have a 5 mm spacing between each of the teeth, creating precise and fine cuts with each use.
Even if they are less expensive, that doesn’t compromise the quality of the product, and these can deliver pretty much the same results as products that are a bit more expensive.
Who Should Purchase This?
If you want to buy a pair of pinking shears but find that most models cost too much money, this JISTL product is a budget buy that will serve the needs of most eco-conscious shoppers.
Pros:
- Good for crafts.
- Excellent price.
- 9.5-inch length.
- Stainless steel construction.
- Good handle grip.
Cons:
- Hard to open and close.
Bottom Line
The market is no stranger to quality pinking shears, but there is a clear difference between how it feels to use a low-quality product compared to a high-quality one. The best pinking shears aren’t cheap, but they are razor-sharp and durable.
One very important thing for you to keep in mind and something that a lot of people are not aware of is the fact that this particular type of product is generally not easy to manipulate, so don’t get frustrated if the shears are hard to open and close, as this isn’t really a reflection of a faulty product.
