Re: Japanese scissors

[Mika Takami <Mika.Takami@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello,

I am a Japanese textile conservator. Yes, every Japanese woman has one pair at home. But I prefer the eye surgery spring scissors.  The Japanese grip scissors are easy to use and works well for most sewing work, but because of their simple mechanism, the crossing of the blades can be misaligned easily (they become slightly apart and won't cut well)  when used for intensive and extensive work. They cut well when you cut a thread at the bottom of the blades with a small grip, but when you do fine work and want to cut a thread with just the very end of the blades, a full grip is required, hence, it is tiring when you repeat cutting for hours as you need to keep gripping them and your fingers become sore. For handling them they often come with the handle section wrapped with a colourful silk cord. They also do need a good frequent care of sharpening, but as far as you do it they will last forever. 

Mika

Mika Takami
Conservation and Collection Care
Historic Royal Palaces
U.K. 


>>> Jennifer Barnett <jcbarnett@xxxxxxx> 01/09/2007 11:10 >>>
Greeting textile conservanauts,

Here is some historical technical background on Japanese thread  
scissors for your edification and enjoyment. There is also a part on  
how to sharpen them.

http://www.tourjartisan.com/tour/4/artifact.html 


enjoy!

Jennifer Barnett

Regina Textilia
not only historic textiles conservation, research,
training and consultancy but also translations

Route de Dancé
FR - 42260 Bully
reginatextilia@xxxxxxxxxx 



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