Best Pinking Shears
By Annabelle Evans
| Updated 3 Days Ago
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Pinking shears, with their signature zigzag cut, are an essential tool for anyone working with fabric, helping to prevent fraying on raw edges—a lifesaver for unhemmed or temporary projects. Popular since the 1930s, these scissors are versatile enough to handle everything from lightweight cotton to heavier fabrics like denim, and they can even add a decorative touch to paper crafts. When choosing a pair, key factors include blade sharpness, handle comfort, and durability, especially for clean cuts on thicker materials. After testing eight popular models, we’ve identified the best pinking shears for different crafting needs and budgets.
JISTL Green Pinking Shears
We think these pinking shears are a great buy for crafters and sewers looking for a reliable, sharp tool at an affordable price.
We think these pinking shears are a great buy for crafters and sewers looking for a reliable, sharp tool at an affordable price.
We’ve been using these JISTL pinking shears for a few weeks now, and we’re impressed with their performance. The blades are made of hardened stainless steel, which gives them a sharp edge that cuts through fabric, paper, and even thin leather with ease. We found the zigzag pattern to be consistent and clean, perfect for preventing fraying on fabric edges.
The grip is comfortable thanks to the ABS material on the inner ring of the handle. This design helped us avoid hand fatigue during longer cutting sessions. We like that these shears are suitable for both right and left-handed users, making them a handy tool for any craft room.
One thing to note is that these shears are a bit heavier than some other models we’ve tried. While this adds to their durability, it might take some getting used to. The scissors also start out quite tight, which can make them challenging to use at first. With use, they do loosen up a bit, but keep in mind that the screw can’t be adjusted. Despite these minor issues, we think these pinking shears offer great value for their price and quality.
SINGER ProSeries 9″ Pinking Shears
We think these pinking shears are a top-notch choice for most sewers and crafters due to their sturdy build and precise cutting ability.
We think these pinking shears are a top-notch choice for most sewers and crafters due to their sturdy build and precise cutting ability.
When we tried these SINGER ProSeries pinking shears, we were impressed by their solid feel. The 9-inch blades cut through fabric like butter, leaving a clean zigzag edge that helps prevent fraying. We found the stainless steel construction robust, suggesting these shears will last for years.
The ergonomic handle stood out to us during extended use. It fit comfortably in our hands, reducing fatigue even when cutting for long periods. This feature is a big plus for those who spend hours on sewing projects.
We tested these shears on various materials. They worked great on cotton and crisp fabrics, but we noticed they weren’t as effective on knit or stretchy materials. For paper crafts, they performed well too. The 5mm tooth spacing gave us consistent, neat edges on our projects.
Feature Details Blade Length 9 inches Material Stainless Steel Handle Ergonomic TPR Best For Cotton, crisp fabrics, paper Not Suitable For Non-woven, knit fabrics While these shears are a bit larger than some others we’ve used, the quality makes up for it. They’re a solid investment for serious crafters and sewers who want a durable tool that delivers professional results.
Taotree Zig Zag Shears
We recommend these versatile pinking shears for their sharp blades and comfortable grip.
We recommend these versatile pinking shears for their sharp blades and comfortable grip.
When we tried these Taotree pinking shears, we were impressed by their sharpness right out of the box. The 9.5-inch blades cut through fabric with ease, leaving a clean zigzag edge. We found them effective on various materials like cotton, denim, and even thin leather.
The soft-grip handles felt good in our hands during extended use. We appreciate that they work for both left and right-handed users. The shears have a solid weight that helps with cutting but might tire some people’s hands over time.
We noticed the anti-rust oil on the blades and made sure to wipe it off before use. It’s important to re-oil the shears after each use to keep them in top shape. While this extra step takes time, it helps maintain the blades’ sharpness and prevents rust.
Gingher Pinking Shears
We think these pinking shears are a solid choice for most sewers due to their quality construction and reliable performance.
We think these pinking shears are a solid choice for most sewers due to their quality construction and reliable performance.
We’ve used these Gingher pinking shears extensively in our sewing projects. The 7.5-inch blades cut through fabric smoothly, leaving a clean zigzag edge that resists fraying. We found them especially useful for finishing seams and adding decorative touches to our crafts.
The chrome-over-nickel finish isn’t just for looks. It adds durability to the high-carbon steel blades, helping them stay sharp through many uses. We noticed the weight of these shears right away. While some users might find them too heavy, we think the heft adds stability when cutting.
One downside we noticed is the lack of cushioning on the handles. After long cutting sessions, our hands felt a bit tired. But the trade-off is the shears’ sturdy feel and precise cuts. If you’re looking for top-quality pinking shears that will last, these are worth considering despite their few drawbacks.
Singer Pinking Shears
We recommend these Singer pinking shears for their sharp blades and comfortable grip, making them a great choice for most sewing and crafting needs.
We recommend these Singer pinking shears for their sharp blades and comfortable grip, making them a great choice for most sewing and crafting needs.
These 9-inch Singer pinking shears impressed us with their ability to create clean, zigzag cuts on fabric edges. The stainless steel blades stayed sharp even after we used them on multiple projects. We found they worked well on a variety of materials, from cotton to felt.
The white soft-grip handle made these shears easy to hold and use. We didn’t experience any hand fatigue, even after long cutting sessions. The design seems well-suited for both right and left-handed users.
We liked how these shears helped reduce fraying on fabric seams. They also came in handy for adding decorative edges to craft projects. While they’re great for most tasks, we found them a bit large for very small, detailed work. They also struggled a bit with silk fabrics. Still, for most sewing and crafting needs, these Singer pinking shears are a solid choice.
Fiskars SoftGrip Pinking Shears
We recommend these pinking shears for their comfortable grip and sharp, durable blades.
We recommend these pinking shears for their comfortable grip and sharp, durable blades.
We’ve used these Fiskars pinking shears extensively in our crafting projects, and they’ve impressed us with their performance. The SoftGrip handle lives up to its name, fitting comfortably in our hands even during long cutting sessions. This design really helps reduce hand fatigue when working on big projects.
The blades are a standout feature. They’re made of high-quality stainless steel and stay sharp for a long time. We’ve cut through multiple layers of denim and even some thin leather without any issues. The zigzag pattern is clean and consistent, which is crucial for preventing fraying on fabric edges.
One thing to note is that these shears are a bit heavier than some other options we’ve tried. While this adds to their durability, it might be tiring for some users, especially those with hand strength issues. The bright orange color is great for finding them in a cluttered craft room, but it might not be everyone’s cup of tea. Despite these minor drawbacks, we think these pinking shears are a solid choice for most crafters and sewers.
YUQGAOP 9″ Pinking Shears
We recommend these pinking shears for their sharp blades and comfortable grip, making them a great choice for fabric cutting projects.
We recommend these pinking shears for their sharp blades and comfortable grip, making them a great choice for fabric cutting projects.
We recently tried out these YUQGAOP pinking shears and were impressed by their performance. The 9-inch shears felt solid in our hands, with a weight that gave us confidence in their cutting power. The stainless steel blades sliced through fabric with ease, creating clean zigzag edges.
The rubber grip on the handles was a nice touch. It made long cutting sessions more comfortable and gave us better control. We found these shears worked well on different materials, from thin silks to thicker craft papers.
One thing to note is that these shears are on the heavier side. While this adds to their durability, some users might find them tiring to use for extended periods. The green color is unique, but it may not be everyone’s first choice. Like all cutting tools, these will need regular sharpening to keep them in top shape.
Kai Ergonomic Pinking Shears
We think these pinking shears are a great choice for anyone who regularly cuts fabric and wants a high-quality, comfortable tool.
We think these pinking shears are a great choice for anyone who regularly cuts fabric and wants a high-quality, comfortable tool.
We’ve used many pinking shears over the years, and these Kai scissors really impressed us. The rubber inserts on the handles make them super comfy to hold, even during long cutting sessions. Our hands didn’t get tired or sore like they sometimes do with other shears.
The blades on these are sharp! We cut through several layers of denim with no problems. The zigzag edge came out clean and even. We also tried them on some slippery silk, and they didn’t snag or pull the fabric at all.
One thing to note – these are pretty big shears. They felt great in our average-sized hands, but people with smaller hands might find them tricky to use. The 8-inch length is nice for big projects, but Kai doesn’t make a smaller version of this model.
Hui Tong Pinking Shears
We think these pinking shears are a top choice for crafters who need sharp, durable scissors for fabric work.
We think these pinking shears are a top choice for crafters who need sharp, durable scissors for fabric work.
We tried these Hui Tong pinking shears on several projects and were impressed by their performance. The stainless steel blades sliced through cotton, silk, and even denim with ease. We liked the scalloped edge, which gave our fabric a nice decorative finish.
The scissors felt solid in our hands. The plastic handles were comfy to hold, even during long cutting sessions. We found they worked well for both straight cuts and curves. The 9.5-inch length was just right for most of our needs.
We did notice the blades started to dull after cutting thicker fabrics. Oiling them helped keep them sharp. While these aren’t labeled for lefties, we think right-handed crafters will love using them. For the price, we feel these offer great value compared to pricier brands.
YAZEMKEL Pinking Shears
We think these pinking shears are a solid choice for crafters and sewers looking for a reliable, comfortable tool for decorative cutting.
We think these pinking shears are a solid choice for crafters and sewers looking for a reliable, comfortable tool for decorative cutting.
We recently tried out these YAZEMKEL pinking shears and found them to be a great addition to our crafting toolkit. The 9-inch blades are made of stainless steel, which gave us nice, crisp cuts on fabric and paper. We liked how the serrated edge created a clean zig-zag pattern without fraying.
The rubber grips on the handles were a nice touch. They made the shears comfy to hold, even when we used them for long stretches. We cut through different materials like cotton, denim, and cardstock without much trouble. The blades stayed sharp throughout our testing.
One thing to note is that these shears are on the heavier side. This wasn’t a big deal for us, but it might be tiring for some people. We also noticed that after a lot of use, the blades needed a bit of adjusting to keep them aligned. While they worked great on most fabrics, we wouldn’t recommend them for super thick materials. All in all, we think these pinking shears are a good value for their price and quality.
Buying Guide
When shopping for pinking shears, there are a few key things to look for:
Blade Length
We recommend choosing blades between 7-9 inches long. Longer blades let you cut more fabric in one pass, while shorter ones offer more control.
Handle Comfort
Look for ergonomic handles with a soft grip. This helps reduce hand fatigue during long cutting sessions.
Blade Material
High-carbon steel blades tend to stay sharp longer. Stainless steel resists rust but may dull faster.
Cutting Action
Smooth, precise cuts are essential. Try opening and closing the shears to test their action before buying.
Weight
Lighter shears (under 8 oz) are easier to maneuver. Heavier ones can provide more cutting power for thick fabrics.
Blade Teeth
Finer teeth produce a more delicate zigzag edge. Larger teeth work better on heavier materials.
This table summarizes key features to consider:
Feature | What to Look For |
---|---|
Blade Length | 7-9 inches |
Handle | Ergonomic, soft grip |
Material | High-carbon or stainless steel |
Weight | Under 8 oz for most uses |
Teeth | Fine for delicate fabrics, larger for heavy materials |
We suggest trying out different shears in person if possible. This lets you test the grip and cutting action firsthand.