Popular lore among elementary art teachers is that scissors were invented by Leonardo da Vinci. That has been roundly disproven—they’ve been around at least since the first century C.E.—but the importance of a good pair of scissors for artists remains true. It’s nearly impossible to list all the various uses for a pair around the studio, but everyone knows the specific frustration of using dull, weak, or uncomfortable ones. To save yourself from those particular problems, we have rounded up five surefire pairs.
1. Livingo Premium Tailor Scissors
The girthy hand grips of this pair ease the ache of cutting through thick materials, but the indispensable selling point is the titanium-coated blade, which resists dulling and rust. The translucent rainbow effect is not necessary to show off the titanium coating, but it adds a mood-boosting twinkle.
2. Westcott Titanium Bonded Scissors
Westcott was the first to come out with titanium-bonded scissors, where titanium and chromium nitride bond with stainless steel to prevent corrosion. The price of these make them a staple all-purpose pair, but note that the ergonomic handles can pull at fabric when cutting, leading to uneven layers.
3. Fiskars The Original Orange Handled Scissors
“The Original” is in the name because just about everybody remembers when these orange scissors were ubiquitous fabric cutters in American households. They don’t feature soft grips or titanium-coated blades, but these industry standards prove that good design sometimes matters just as much as cutting edge (sorry) innovations.
4. Scotch Precision Scissor
These standard seven-inch scissors are especially good for left-handers or classrooms where you have both righties and lefties. Lightweight and easy to control, these are strong enough to use around the house but shine in projects that need detailed cuts.
5. Fiskars Razor-edge Softgrip Scissors
Sharp, hefty, and durable, Fiskars higher-level shears are for serious projects, whether labor-intensive or for thick, unwieldly materials. Notably, they are beloved for their versatility with textiles, cutting through leather and carpets as well as through silk, without snagging or sawing.
