It seems like more and more specialty scissors are introduced every year. Nearly everyone starts with the basics so you probably don’t need all of the scissors on this list—at least not all at once—but they do represent a well-rounded collection for a quilting tool kit. Fingers rest above the handles instead of being slipped into handle-holes that can cause blisters after lots of cuts (you’ll make snips every 1/4 inch along every seam). The spring action of the handles means they’ll pop right back into place for the next cut, with no effort from you. The rounded tips of these scissors create a bit of buffer at their ends, just enough to help keep you from cutting too deeply into a seam allowance. The spring-action handles work nicely to help combat hand fatigue, a nice perk for all of us, but especially important for quilters who deal with arthritis and other conditions that affect hand comfort and strength. They come with a sheath to protect the tips and anything the tips might come in contact with during storage. Look for the A-8 high carbon scissors in the Kai line—they’re the hardest and most durable. Do be prepared to see high price tags on these scissors.
