Left-Handed and Right-Handed Scissors are Different

By: Jessica DeetsScientifically speaking, scissors are an instrument with a functioning 2-lever system with a fulcrum in the middle. Where the scissors is held that is, the blade corners, force is applied there with the hands. The 2-lever apparatus exerts pressure in the middle where the fulcrum lies. The closer the material (to be cut) to the fulcrum, the easier it is to cut. This is because less force is required by the hand and the thumb. One can say that a pair of scissors is actually composed of a pair of knives attached to each other. A single knife has one blade, whereas scissors have a pair of blades. Bigger scissors are called shears, in which the blades are of higher length and are usually for cutting heavy materials, plants or metal.

Truman Capote said “I believe more in the scissors than I do in the pencil”, meaning that scissors are perhaps one of the most essential home tools people can use in their regular lives.

You probably can not name a household that does not have at least a pair of scissors. If you do, then the people of that house either are too ancient or there is a phobia attached to this tool.

It is a tool that is the easiest to use since it has a way to exert minimum pressure to cut through materials. There are innumerable uses of scissors like cutting paper, cloth, tin foil, hair, strings, plastic, leafy vegetables, etc.

Which brings me to the main point of this article. The question is: Are left-handed and right-handed scissors different?

The answer is “Yes.” It is actually difficult for two people to share a pair of scissors if one is a right-handed and the other a left-handed. Because the thumb exerts pressure on the blade that is above and the rest of the fingers hold the other blade end to support that pressure. This is true for a normal scissors but in case of a scissors made for a left-handed person the reverse is true. The two blades in the scissors are different and their placements in the two types of scissors for two differently oriented persons will differ in just the vice versa way.

Though commonly it is found in a household that a scissors for right-handed a person is generally used and if a member is left-handed, he usually practices to use the same right handed scissors. But scissors made for the left hand are optimized for that position and are recommended for those that do cutting everyday.

In the present day’s context a variety of soft touch scissors are used that enable you to cut material with a minimum of pressure.

There is another with a spring mechanism where the user does not open the blades apart to hold the material. It automatically opens and the user only has to exert pressure to cut. Scissors like this, and especially with rubber handles, are easy on the fingers of the user.

There are a variety of scissors that are optimized for their inteded use:

1. Children’s Scissors are the safety scissors with almost blunt blades. If your children use these scissors, then their safety is ensured.

2. Medical or bandage scissors are used in hospitals and nursing homes. They have long handles with shorter blades. One of the blades is generally blunt and supports the cutting action of the other.

3. During operations, surgeons use another kind of blade, known as Hemostat. Instead of 2-blades system it has a one clamp and a one blade system.

4. Cutting cloth require very sharp bladed scissors. They are called fabric scissors. Such scissors are sharpened regularly, as even a little bit of bluntness will lead to irregular cuts on the fabric. 5. Gardeners use a type of scissors called the secateur. It is used to cut shrubs, and other plants. Another name for the secateur is “pruning shears.” 6. Scissors having zigzag shaped blades are called pinking shears. They form a similar, decorative zig-zag type of cut shape on the material being cut.

7. There are a number of other scissors used in commercial industries as bolt cutters, tin snips, nippers, etc.

So the main thing is to get the right scissors for your need and for the correct hand that you use.

About the Author

Jessica Deets writes for http://www.scissorswork.com and you can find more information about scissors at the website http://www.scissorswork.com

(ArticlesBase SC #26951)

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Choosing the Best Scissors Or Shears For Sewing

By: Pat LyneIf you’re going to do any sewing, you need some scissors. In fact, even if you aren’t doing any sewing, every household needs some scissors! They’re a useful tool, so it’s important to have at least one pair.

Scissors vs. Shears

First off, though people often use the name interchangeably, scissors and shears aren’t really the same thing and are meant to perform different tasks. Shears are used for the heavier cutting jobs, whereas scissors are best used for lighter cutting jobs such as trimming or clipping threads.

Shear Strength

A pair of shears generally measures about 6 inches or more in length. To hold the shears, there is a small ring handle for the thumb, and a larger one for inserting two or three fingers. Holding the shears by placing your fingers through these rings gives better leverage to perform the heavier tasks for which shears excel

Scissors Are Smaller

Scissors range in length from 6 inches on down to 3 inches or even less. Besides being smaller than shears, the handle rings are of equal size

Choosing Quality Scissors and Shears
Most scissors are made of steel. There are two main types of steel used for scissors. The first type, carbon steel, is used to make scissors with the blade and the handle formed in one continuous piece. This type of steel is very strong and stays sharp. Scissors made from carbon steel are usually plated with nickel or chromium to prevent them from rusting.
The other type of steel scissors are those made from stainless steel. A plastic handle is usually fitted to the metal blade. These scissors aren’t as sturdy and don’t retain a sharp edge as long. They’re also harder to re-sharpen. However, they are generally much cheaper.

Types of Scissors

There are many types of scissors available. Here’s a small sampling:

* Applique Scissors: Offset for level cutting
* Bent Handle Dressmaker Shears: Allow the cutting blades to rest flat on the table
* Easy Grip Scissors: With larger handles for those having difficulty holding scissors
* Embroidery Scissors: Used for cutting embroider threads
* Finishing Shears: Either as pinking or scalloping shears, used to cut ravel-resistant seams
* Heavy-duty Shears: For cutting leather, upholstery, drapery, etc.
* Thread Snipping Scissors: For cutting loose threads off sewing

There are also shears made for left-handed people, household scissors (all-purpose, poultry shears, etc.), paper scissors for children, scrapbooking scissors, electric scissors and more.

For just about any task, there’s some kind of scissors or shears that will do the job.

Caring for Scissors and Shears

The first and foremost rule of scissors: Scissors should ONLY be used to cut the materials for which they were designed.

Do not, I repeat, do NOT use shears meant for cutting material for household tasks like cutting paper. Using scissors for something other than the materials they were intended to cut will dull the blades.

Scissors and shears should be kept dry and dust free, with an occasional oiling at the screw. Keeping them in a safe place like a sewing box, or with higher quality cutting instruments, the box they came in, will help protect the points. Also, scissors should be stored in a closed position. Setting down scissors in an open position is the most common cause of dull blades.

High quality scissors and shears can be re-conditioned by the manufacturers or other companies providing that service.

Summing Up Scissors and Shears

For scissors to be used round the house, cheaper scissors work fine. If they become dull or broken, it’s cheap to replace them. For cutting fabric and other sewing tasks, a good set of shears is a wise investment.

Take care of your scissors and shears, and they’ll reward you with easy cutting for years to come.

About the Author

Information about sewing simple, easy projects and more. http://sewingsimple.com/

(ArticlesBase SC #600511)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Choosing the Best Scissors Or Shears For Sewing

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Haircutting Scissor Problems

By: Nadine VisscherWhen giving a haircut, one of the most important tools are your scissors. If you have a great pair of haircutting scissors, it will make your job that much easier. With proper care, your haircutting scissors can last you a liftetime. Without proper care, however, you may experience a few problems such as -

* hair catching or pulling while you are cutting
* the hair sliding or moving towards the tips of your scissor blades rather than cutting
* hair being pinched or bent when you close the blades
* the shears feeling rough when you are cutting

You can address each on of these concerns with a good cleaning. When you are using your scissors, little bits of hair and chemicals can get around the screw and clog the pivot joint.

Cleaning Your Scissors

To clean them, wipe your scissor blades with a soft, dry cloth. Put a drop of oil between the blades and behind the set screw. Open and close your scissors several times to work the oil into the joint. The oil and the moving blades dislodge the hair bits that were stuck in the joint. Wipe the scissor blades with a soft dry cloth to clean off the hair and oil. Once you clean this area, the blades should be able to move freely, making it unnecessary for you to adjust your scissors.

If your scissor blades still feel rough after cleaning them, you may have damaged your shears and may need to replace them.

After cleaning your haircutting scissors, test them to see if they still need adjusting. If they continue causing problems where the hair is pulling, pinching, or sliding, you will need to adjust the tension. You can check the tension by doing the following test:

* Hold your scissors in a horizontal position, having the blades ½ open.
* When you remove your finger from the lowest grip, the scissor should fall open all the way.
* When you hold your scissors in a horizontal positon and have them open less than ½ way, the blades should stay in that same positon when you remove your finger from the lowest grip.

Adjusting Your Scissors

Should you find that there isn’t enough tension and you need to adjust them, hold your haircutting scissors tightly in a closed positon, and press them down firmly on a hard surface. use a dime, a screwdreiver, or the adjustment tool (that came with your scissors) to turn the screw clockwise just a little bit (equal to 3 – 4 minutes on a clock face). You want to do this very carefully because if you damage the pivot screw, you’ll need a new pair of haircutting scissors.

If you have the opposite problem where the tension is too tight, follow the same steps, except turn the screw ever so slightly in a counterclockwise direction.

Once your haircutting scissors are adjusted to the proper tension and you are sitll having problems, you may need to get them sharpened. Be sure to get them sharpened by a specialist, someone who knows what s/he is doing.

With proper care, your haircutting scissors should last you a lifetime.

About the Author

Nadine Visscher is the author of haircutting ebooks and has an great selection of both haircut videos and haircutting scissors.

(ArticlesBase SC #181037)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Haircutting Scissor Problems

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Haircutting Scissor Care

By: Nadine VisscherIn order to give a decent haircut, you need to have proper equipment that will help you get the job done right. Professional haircutting scissors are a must – they make the difference between frustration and a job well done. They come with different price tags, colors, styles, and lengths. As for price, you pick up a pair for around $20 at a beauty shop, or you can purchase scissors for several hundred dollars. If you give the occasional haircut at home, a $20 pair will do the job. However, if you cut hair all day, every day, at a salon, you’ll need the more expensive, higher quality scissors. You get what you pay for.

Proper Care

Regardless of the price you paid for your scissors, they all need proper maitenance and care. At the end of every haircutting session (at home) or work day (at a salon), you need to clean, dry, and lubricate your haircutting scissors.

Cleaning: Wash your scissors thoroughly with warm, soapy water. Be careful not to hit the tips of the scissors against the sides of the sink.

Drying: Use a soft, clean towel to thoroughly dry your scissors. Be sure to get between the blades to prevent any type of damage.

Lubricating: Open your scissors at a 90° angle and put a drop of oil at the joint where the blades meet. Work the oil into the joint by opening and closing the blades. This will work out any hair, dust, dirt or chemicals that found their way to the joint.

When your are finished cleaning, drying, and lubricating your scissors, store them in the pouch that you bought them in. If you put your scissors in a box or bag, the tips of the blades could get damaged.

Proper Use

If you follow these guidelines for proper scissor use, your scissors can last you a lifetime
* Only cut hair with your scissors
* Only cut clean hair
* Check regularly to see if your scissors need adjusting
* Get your scissors sharpened (by a professional only!) if they still don’t work properly after you’ve cleaned and lubricated them
* Keep your haircutting scissors clear of any comb sterilization, perm or coloring chemicals – these will damage your shears.

It is very important to keep your scissors clean and lubricated because it lengthens the life of your scissors. On the other hand, frequent use of dirty, dull or damaged scissors shortens the lifespan of your shears and will make it necessayr for you to purchase a new pair sooner than if you had taken good care of them. So do yourself (and your scissors) a favor: clean, dry, and lubricate!

About the Author

Nadine Visscher is the author of haircutting ebooks and has an excellent variety of both haircut videos and haircutting scissors.

(ArticlesBase SC #178494)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Haircutting Scissor Care