I did a search under scissors and didn’t come up with a consensus so I thought that I would start a new thread. What does everyone use for scissors? Dr. Slick and Anvil seem to be popular but what specific model is your go to pair? I am thinking of a pair of Dr. Slick Micro points. Thanks for the help.
Rick
i use dr slick
I use Dr. Slick Arrows
I use Dr. Slick curved arrow point and general purpose. I like them both for different reasons but mainly I use the curved arrow point it seems more natural to me.
I also use another heaver pair of generic scissors for hair and other items like wire so my main scissors don’t get dull.
I use Slicks, but the last pair I got were made in Pakistan, so I’ll probably dump 'em soon’s I find a suitable U.S. made replacement. I also have a couple generics for wire and tougher stuff so’s not to dull my Slicks…I’m big on made in USA…ModocDan
I use Dr. Slicks for light work like cutting thread close and such, but if I need to cut a small amount of hair I have a small pair of scissors that I had before I even started tying. I use several from a set of 5 from Henckels and the 4" ones I use all the time. I use some of the little larger ones at times, but for most all my feather and hair cutting I use the little really sharp and pointed Henckles.
I am pretty sure it’s the small ones in this set that is on sale a good bit…
http://www.amazon.com/Henckels-International-5-Piece-Scissors-Set/dp/B00007BKRW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=kitchen&qid=1201528893&sr=1-3
Just think you can buy the entire set for $29 and give most to the wife and she’s happy too, LOL!
Skip
I know the micropoint style scissors have their advantages but remember just one drop an the floor could destroy them. I’ve seen it done.
Also for heavier duty work the serrated blade styles are a help.
I have tried various brands of scissors and never found any I really liked until I inherited a pair from my mother-in-law. She had used them for years. I have used this pair for literally hundreds of flies and they hold a good edge. I don’t believe they would be good for real small flies like 18s or 20s. I like the spring action they have and they are not expensive.
Tim
Link: http://secure2.data-comm.com/servlet/RBIS/-strse-143527/Thread-Shears-4-3-fdsh-4/Detail
I got my scissors at a fabric store
They’re not “official fly tying” scissors, but they seem to work fine anyway.
Clay I use the small Dr Slick and the same with all the kids tying class–be sure to buy a larger serrated 41/2 pair for deer hair. Fiskars for the rough work. BILL
I like the weiss style that panman posted a link for, I bought a non name brand pair at jo anns fabrics, when they get dull I will buy the good ones from BT’s a sponsor here at FAOL. I also use a small pair of Dr Slic curved.
Dr slicks micro points. Although every once in a while I stick myself with them. :oops:
These are the scissors your mother warned you not to run with.
I once dropped them on the hardwood floor and they stuck straight in like a dart would. I pulled them straight out so the points wouldn’t take any harm and they suffered no damage which I consider to be a small miracle.
Dr slicks seem to hold their edge forever. I just checked and mococdan is correct they are from Pakistan.
I try to buy stuff made in the NAFTA treaty countries which includes USA Canada and Mexico but it is getting harder and harder to find them.
If I’m not mistaken; Slicks have been made in Pakistan since the beginning so that’s nothing new. As a matter of fact a LOT of the fly fishing tools out there are made in India & Pakistan and have been for years. Take a good look at your hackle pliers or tweezers. Anybody out there old enough to remember Sunrise India?
Good luck finding US made stainless steel products. Start in the kitchen by checking out at your mixing bowls; pots and pans, and the rest of your kitchen gadgets and then if you get a chance; check out the instruments in the OR that they are going to use to cut you open.
Before I loose any sleep over Pakistani scissors at $7 a pair I’d worry about Japanese and Chinese hooks or Canadian Thread which I’d be inclined to buy a lot more of. Not to mention all of that Japanese tippet material @ $7+ a spool.
Slick Micros, curved and General Purpose are what I use along with some Slick knock-offs that were also made in Pakistan.
I use Dr Slick Razor scissors for my main tying. I use their hair scissor for deer hair. I also have a small pair of fabric (cheap) scissors around for cutting wire, hair, and other assorted stuff that may be bad for the Razor scissors.
-wayne
I’ve got two Kershaw’s [different styles] that I really like…a friend got them for me as a gift at their annual sale…he’s a nontyer but hit the nail on the head…
Also I have a pair of tungsten scissors from Wal-Mart…curved…that are quite good…there was a thread about them long ago…the Wal-Mart scissors section is worth checking out…price point is good too…
I have 6 pairs of Dr. Slick scissors from heavy hair scissors to fine adjustable scissor in straight and curved models that I use in most of my serious fly tying applications. I have some genuine concern about the good doctor outsourcing his production. I will be watching carefully to see that the quality remains high.
I also have about seven billion pairs of cheap or cheaper scissors that I’ve picked up (and paid for) over the years. I’m just as likely to use the cheapies when tying brim and bass flies particularly if I’m working with foam. I guess I don’t feel as serious when I’m tying a Gurgle Pop as I do when I’m tying an Adams or a Stimulator. As I drift more and more toward guide flies, the Dr. Slicks may see less use. Who knows? 8T 
Eric - If you take a small whetstone those scissors sharpen real easy.
Tim
duckster, do you have the link for that tungsten scissors post handy, I’m obviously not smart enought to figure out what search terms to use . . . ?
Thanx
Don’t worry about “Keeping an eye on the good doctor, to see if his scissors made in Pakistan will change the quality”… Dr. Slick’s have been made in Pakistan, since they began making fly tying scissors. The same with all of his tools.
I use Slick’s also, in several sizes, but for hair, and tougher cutting I really like the Teimco scissors. I have a pair of Thompson “Ice Tempered” scissors, (made in USA, but I really could care less, as long as they cut), that are about the best deer hair scissors I’ve ever found.
Do a search using Tungsten scissors …I found a couple of brief references at the end of each thread…the one I was referring too must have cycled out