Guggenhein Sewing Scissors, an honest review

[@sbrickett]

I have several pair of the different sizes of those scissors and the all cut great at first, but as time goes by, they seem to get duller. I have had my large dressmaker scissors sharpened after six months, and they need it again, they catch the fabric before they cut. None of my other brands do that. I have a tiny pair of snips from them that wouldn’t even cut threads. I really can’t recommend this brand, mainly because they don’t hold an edge. Mine did not come with oil or tacky handles, I think you got a dud pair. The best scissors that I have are Kai brand from WAWAK, the are better than Ginghers, which I also have had for 40 years and have never had to have them sharpened. Good luck with them, but me, I’d return them.

[@SewSewLounge]

I’m going to save them for heavy duty projects, like the next time I need to cut upholstery vinyl!!

[@TheEconWoman]

The secret is the long lasting edge on the blades. Of course, any new pair of scissors is going to cut well. The test of time is to see what it will be like in six months, six years, six decades. I have Gingher’s that are 40 years old, and have never been sharpened. They don’t need it. Let’s see if the others will do that.

[@SewSewLounge]

It’s not a very obvious secret 😂 and I’ve had some comment that the sharpness doesn’t last. I’ve had my ginghers sharpened once since I got them in the 90s. They really stay sharp!

[@ronv6637]

Oil on metal that has been shipped is very standard to prevent rust on machined edges and a QC fail if not. Look at at the finishes,the chromed pair is more rust resistant than blacked. If you really want to remove all oil disassemble and clean the area where the blades are assembled but removing lubricant will make them harder to use.

[@SewSewLounge]

I get why there is oil, I just don’t want to use the scissors on my good fabric. I’ve never purchased any other brand that were excessively oily.

[@Outdoor_MED]

Wipe it off@@SewSewLounge

[@SewSewLounge]

@@Outdoor_MED I did, but it keeps coming back 😳

[@scottiehall8695]

I collect all kinds of scissors, I just love all of them. I have several pairs of Guggenheims and they're ok. I like them better than Gingher but in my opinion, the top of the line Kai scissors are BY FAR the best out of any brand.

[@SewSewLounge]

You’re the second person to mention Kai scissors-I’ll have to check them out!

[@scottiehall8695]

@@SewSewLounge The Kai 7000 series blows everyone else out of the water but all their scissors are excellent. I prefer the non serrated blades.

[@SewSewLounge]

@@scottiehall8695 thanks for the tip!!

[@janellvincent8046]

I have a pair. I also have Gingher. My favorite are Kai and Karen Kay Buckley scissors.

[@SewSewLounge]

Kai seems to be winning for scissors!

[@Kakkydidit]

I had a card in the box that told me to wipe the blades, but it didn't seem that extreme. I purchased them after trying to cut slinky fabric with Ginghers that really did need sharpening. I think I'll like the Guggenhein, and believe they'll sharpen well if I need it down the road. I'd worked with only shorter scissors, so controlling them is different. I like the slightly soft feeling handle finish.

[@SewSewLounge]

Based on comments from other viewers I think there it all depends on how much oil is on the pair of scissors you get. Mine have enough (even after wiping off) that I won’t be using them on any of my fine fabrics. I will save them for heavy duty fabrics for upholstery and such.

[@patriciabennett961]

I have several different Kai scissors and i love them! The dressmaker shears definitely feel like cutting through butter! Love them!

[@SewSewLounge]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@daxxydog5777]

Well, I'm glad you purchased and reviewed these. I almost got sucked into buying them too. I'm glad I didn't. Now I think I'll just stick with my old fiskars and the random scissors I have found or inherited from various relatives. 😂

[@SewSewLounge]

I could find any reviews so I figured I’d try them out and make a video about it. Glad that it helped you!! I can’t really recommend them for daily use.

[@tobielurie4582]

I have heard that Kai serrated scissors are very good. I am happy with my Ghingers but they are heavy and I have arthritis in my hands so thinking of getting the Kai.

[@SewSewLounge]

The Guggenheim scissors are heavier than gingher. I hope that you have success with the Kai’s!

[@Sewtangle]

I have bought 45mm rotary cutting blades which shipped to me with oil between each new blade. I have never had a problem with oil on my fabric and the blades stay nice and sharp in the packaging until I’m ready to use them

[@SewSewLounge]

I just got some rotary cutters from Missouri Star that are well oiled. Somehow it’s easier to remove the oil on them than these scissors.

[@abundantlyinspired]

Wow, I received two pairs of Guggenhein scissors for a gift recently and neither arrived with any oil. I got a pair of sheers and some smaller snips and I love them❤❤Only thing I wish is they came with a better case than that flimsy plastic sleeve.

[@SewSewLounge]

I got the smaller snips too since they were discounted when I bought the other ones but they were oily too.

[@abundantlyinspired]

@@SewSewLounge Oh no! That's too bad!😔

[@synthiakimble2077]

I just received my new Guggenhein Shears. I love them. The oil did not bother me at all, just wiped them off and began to cut everything in sight that I felt that I would not regret later that I had cut! These things are definitely the BEST shears that I have ever hade. Merry Christmas to me. It has made me want to go out and get ribbed corduroy and make another skirt/top suit as I did for my final in "Home Ec." (LOL) I had a lady in my area come by and when she saw these she told me a story about how she had some of these and left her bag at the sewing group and the next week she was minus her favorite shears. I'm sorry for her for the loss but it gave me the perfect Christmas Present. If you know anyone that would appreciate a GREAT pair of shears, pick a pair of these up for the this Christmas! AGAIN, LOVE THESE!

[@SewSewLounge]

Glad to hear that you love them ☺️

[@shirleypulawski8221]

Oh boy... at least yours were sharp. My first pair was just as oily, and so you couldn't use the cheap plastic sleeve again unless you're willing to clean the oil off them every time or clean out the sleeve. As I cleaned, I noticed a nick or scratch on one of the blades. I sent an email, was told keep them, I'd be sent a replacement, they'll check QC with the manufacturer. I tried cutting with them (after hearing from their CS) and they weren't very sharp and lost their power around where the nick was. I got the replacement set, cleaned off the oil, and the tip wouldn't cut fabric. I was done. I didn't bother writing CS again. Each set also came with the tiny thread snips, and the holes are really tight for my thumb. I don't have small fingers, but lots of people (like most men) have bigger fingers and they're very uncomfortable for me to use and they seem only nominally sharp. I do like the way the full size scissors feel and in the areas they cut, they cut nicely, but I was hoping they'd become "My Good Scissors" but it was not to be. My next move might be buying a scissor sharpener to see if I can revive these and some other scissors I've acquired. I'm only marginally good at sharpening knives, so I don't know how this will go! (Also, it's GuggenheiN, not Guggenheim, like the museum) I use them for minor things, so I don't feel like they were a total waste, but they didn't end my search, either. I'll probably end up springing for Ginghers at some point, but I use the rolling cutter more than anything anyway.

[@SewSewLounge]

I’m going to use mine to cut things like that plastic packaging that’s impossible to open! And thanks for the heads up about the spelling. TOTALLY didn’t read it that way until mentioned it 😂

[@dottiemathews6853]

I NEED SOME NEW SCISSORS BUT I DON'T THINK I WILL BE BUYING THESE.

[@SewSewLounge]

Yeah I’m still using my Gingher’s. They are worth the money and last.

[@GarmentofPraiseSewing]

Oil😱

[@SewSewLounge]

@@GarmentofPraiseSewing I know,right?!? Kind of a big deal when cutting fabric.

[@randolphpatterson5061]

Possibly the oil was hastily applied overseas just before boxing, to ward off corrosion from salt spray. Yes, the stateside distributor should have cleaned them before shipping. To remove the oil, use a blue disposable shop towel as sold by the roll in the automotive section at any Walmart, and then apply a liberal amount of a safe solvent such as ordinary naphtha sold as Ronsonol or Zippo lighter fluid, taking care to avoid open flame or cigarettes, etc.. So, I think you are telling us the Guggenhein shears are slightly superior to the Gingher brand, at a comparable price? Great review! I liked and subscribed.

[@SewSewLounge]

That’s a lot of work to clean scissors! I thought they cut heavy fabrics better for sure. But I still love my Ginghers ❤️

[@benniemaine1790]

I personally oil all my scissors keep them clean. I have several brands love them all. Mostly because my boys bought them for me.

[@SewSewLounge]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@mcf5878]

I’ve had mine since last year. They cut very well. I agree with the handles being too large and tacky. And mine still have so much oil on them. I hardly use them, not because I’ve decided I don’t like them, but because of the oil and wasn’t sure if washing them would cause rust. Idk.

[@SewSewLounge]

The oil thing is really the dealbreaker. I don’t know who thought that was a good idea. Despite wiping them off, it feels like there’s still oil on them!!

[@Acapulc941]

I never considered inventing new scissors. I think the oil would be annoying.

[@SewSewLounge]

It’s seriously annoying. Bad quality control going on in New Braunfels!!

[@craigharlow2271]

I switched from Gingher to LDH scissors. They have like Gingher all sizes and weight shears. They are oiled you are encouraged to oil them between uses of course wiping the blades prior to using . This extends the life of the blade. I love them. They make them here in the USA too. They also have different size rotary cutters that are excellent. Just worth noting.

[@SewSewLounge]

I haven’t heard of LDH. I’m always on the look out for a good rotary cutter!

[@matthewmontgomery3693]

Regarding the oil the Guggenhein scissors appear to be "cold blued". This is similar in function to anodizing aluminum. This is a process where metal parts are cleaned then dipped into a selenium-dioxide or other chemical solution to create a thin protective layer of black oxidize (Fe3O4) on the surface. The parts are then coated in oil which absorbs into the porous oxide coating, providing corrosion resistance. Ideally yes, the excess oil should be removed after it has absorbed into the surface. This final cleaning may have been deprioritized as a cost saving measure by cutting out this manual step.

[@SewSewLounge]

Thanks man

[@deangray1823]

I wonder if the Guggenheim scissors can be sharpened? My wife is a quilter and I have been sharpening her Ginghers as needed for the last 50 years.

[@SewSewLounge]

Based on other comments from users they can be sharpened like any other scissors. It’s how long they stay sharp that’s the question 😉