The BEST Scissors for Macrame Cord, Yarn and Fabric | Fiskers vs. Proshear vs. Kai vs. Gingher

Fiskars Orange Handled Scissors were my go-to fabric scissors for years. They’re a good budget option and they’re easy to find in most stores.

There are several other types of Fiskars scissors available as well, including their Razor Edge shears, but I went with the basics for this comparison.

Let’s take a look at some common questions people ask about Fiskars!

Are Fiskars Scissors Good?

Yes, Fiskars are a good brand of scissors. They’re reliable, decently sharp, and comfortable to use.

They aren’t going to be as sharp as some of the higher end models, but they’re a great budget pick.

Can You Sharpen Fiskars Scissors?

Yes, you can sharpen Fiskars scissors! You can use a scissors sharpener like this one, or if you know how to sharpen scissors with a sharpening stone that will work well too.

If they’re just a little dull, cutting through sandpaper or aluminum foil will sharpen them up a bit.

While you could also get them professionally sharpened, I’m not sure it’s worth the money to do so. It would probably be more cost effective to just buy a new pair.

Do Fiskars Come with a Lifetime Warranty?

Yes, they do! According to the Fiskars site:

Fiskars products are warranted to the consumer purchaser to be free of defects in material and workmanship for as long as the consumer owns the product. Warranty does not cover sharpening, normal wear and tear, environmental factors, accidental damage, misuse, industrial/commercial use.

At Fiskars Brands, Inc.’s option, defective product will be repaired, replaced or substituted with a product of equal value. 

https://www.fiskars.com/en-us/customer-service/faqs

Conclusion:

The Orange Handled Fiskars did a decent job, they can cut through all of the materials, but it takes a decent amount of squeezing for the thicker items.

Overall, these are a good budget pick, but they don’t compare to higher end fabric scissors and shears.

I first saw someone mention buying “some heavy duty scissors” they found on Amazon in a Facebook group discussion and I decided to pick up a pair to try out.

When I did a search online, I didn’t even realize they were called Proshear because it’s not listed in the name. They just looked like another no-name mystery item on Amazon. The listed brand name is H HILITING GOBOS & PROJECTORS.

Based on the description and reviews I went with this brand, but there are several other similar looking scissors with slightly different names available. Not my favorite type of product to support, but since they were mentioned I wanted to give them a try.

Are Proshear Scissors Good?

Overall, they did an OK job. One thing I did notice was the top inch of the blades weren’t as sharp and didn’t cut through fabric as nicely as the other pairs.

Also, these ones came very oily (which it does warn you about in the description). The others didn’t have any oil on them so I honestly wasn’t expecting that and it could ruin your project if you don’t wipe them off first.

However, they did come with a tape measure and a seam ripper, so I guess that’s cool. I mean, if you needed one. (I didn’t, but now I have extras, lol)

If you know how to sharpen your own scissors, you could probably fix the issue with the tip not being as sharp and turn these into a pretty good heavy duty pair.

Where are Proshear Scissors Made?

Proshear Scissors are made in China.

Conclusion:

These scissors work alright, but there are a few things about them I really wasn’t a fan of. Not my favorite, but if you sharpened them they might be decent.

If you’re looking for a good pair out of the box (which I’m guessing you are) I’d avoid these.

I was really excited to try these Kai Dressmaking Shears because I had heard so many great things about them.

According to several people, they cut as well as Ginghers, but are lightweight and more comfortable. I’ve also seen mentioned that they stay sharp for a long time before they need to be sharpened.

Honestly, trying those two brands of scissors (shears) against each other was the whole reason for this challenge in the first place.

Are Kai Scissors Good?

Yes, Kai scissors are definitely a good brand that I would recommend.

These shears are super lightweight with a flexible plastic handle that is very comfortable to hold.

They were just as sharp at the tip of the blade as the middle, and they cut through fabric beautifully. Cutting yarn and 3 or 4 mm macrame rope was also a cinch with the Kai scissors.

One area they struggled was with super thick rope. While they’re sharp, it was like I couldn’t get enough force to cut through it very efficiently and it took several squeezes. The Fiskars actually out performed them in that one part of the test.

However, if you’re just cutting normal sized macrame rope, yarn, or fabric, the Kai scissors worked beautifully. You can’t beat the comfort and lightness!

Where are Kai Scissors Made?

Most Kai scissors are made in Japan, and they also have a factory in Vietnam that uses the same quality materials.

Conclusion:

The Kai shears I tested did a great job with everything except crazy thick macrame rope. For normal everyday textile use, these are an excellent pick!

I’ll admit, Gingher has been my favorite brand for a while now. (No, they aren’t sponsoring this post, just being honest.)

Ever since I got a pair of Gingher applique scissors and saw how much sharper they were than my old Fiskars (like whoa), I’ve been a big fan.

This pair of Gingher shears cut through everything I tested them against like butter! Even the super thick cotton rope was no match.

Are Gingher Scissors Worth the Price?

The one main drawback about Gingher shears and scissors is the price. They can be a little costly, especially if you’re used to spending $10 for a pair of scissors (like I was).

Think of these scissors as an investment. Gingher scissors and shears have solid metal construction and last forever. They also come with a lifetime warranty. There’s something to be said about that kind of quality.

Gingher scissors are definitely worth the price.

Can Gingher Scissors be Sharpened?

Yes, Gingher scissors can be sharpened! According to their website:

Gingher offers sharpening and repair service for all Gingher brand products. Regrettably, we are not able to make this service available for other brands of scissors and shears due to differences in manufacturing and hardware.

https://gingher.com/

You can also take them to a local place to get them sharpened if you have one near you. Since these are a serrated edge, they can’t be sharpened like a regular knife edge would be.

I recommend leaving this to a professional (unless you know how to sharpen a serrated edge, in which case you are a professional!)

Where are Ginghers Made?

The 8″ Gingher Dressmaker Shears tested in this post are made in Italy.