You may think scissors are the easiest things in the world to buy, but for many people – those with large fingers or arthritis and lefties – it isn’t. That’s because your average scissors won’t work for them. For two of those groups, large fingered people and lefties, the Ambidex scissors are a good solution.
As you can see from the picture, these scissors have something different for fingerholes. They have flexible metal encased in soft plastic making large open-ended fingerholes. This is they key to their flexibility. Unlike scissors with fixed holes, they can be changed in size to fit your hands. You don’t have to worry about sore fingers or awkward ways to hold them. They’ll work no matter how you hold your scissors or the size of your hands.
The scissors are 4.5 inches long and come to a small sharp point. This makes them longer than most embroidery scissors, but not by much. They are lightweight and thin enough to use easily for embroidery. I compared the point with my favorite Titanium scissors. The Ambidex point was slightly less sharp, but because the blades are longer I can still get into tight places with them.
I tested the scissors with a number of regular needlepoint tasks and had no difficulties. I was able to cut through skeins of Planet Earth Silk with no difficulty, something my shorter-blade scissors struggle to do. I also had no difficulty cutting off thread ends. I did not try them to cut canvas because the rough nature of needlepoint canvas means I use kitchen shears for that task. I found them more than up to the tasks of stitching.
I have one small concern and that’s with a claim on the package. It says that the scissors cut through “things others can’t.” I could find no elaboration on this claim. But, just as you would with any scissor for your embroidery, don’t use them for other tasks. They are under $10, often significantly so. You can afford to buy an extra pair for the “borrowers” in your home.
This scissors are easily found in quilt shops, Amazon, and on-line.
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
Thank you for posting this as I have arthritis in my hands and fingers and I am also left handed
You also might look for the kind of scissors that squeeze, they usually have no fingerholes. I know Fiskars made them in a large size. For small ones, look for what’s called Tailor’s Snips. Squeezing is usually easier on arthritic hands.
Keep stitching,
Janet