Scissors are one of the most useful tools. They are used for everything from cutting fabrics, to sewing and crafting, to cutting carpet. Typically people just use handheld fabric scissors, but if you suffer from arthritis or do a lot of cutting, you can end up with sore and cramped hands. Fortunately, there are rapid-cut electric scissors that can make your life so much easier.
What Are Electric Scissors?
Electric scissors are simply a hand tool that makes cutting things like fabric, carpet, or other materials easier. The can be corded or battery powered and they look nothing like the traditional scissors. They look more like a utility knife with two blades at the end instead of one.
How to Use Electric Scissors
Using electric scissors is a lot different from traditional handheld scissors. They cut faster and can cut through thick fabrics or leather with absolute ease. If you need precision cuts, such as those you would find in delicate patterns, then you might want to switch back to handheld scissors. When it comes to cutting big batches of fabric for quilting or other crafts, powered scissors can?t be beat. Here is a video with a step by step tutorial on how to get the most from your scissors.
What to Look for in Electric Scissors
Before you spend your hard earned money on a pair of automatic scissors, there are a couple of things that you should look out for to make sure you are getting the best value for your money. Let?s have a look at them now.
Battery: Most powered scissors are now cordless and use rechargeable batteries unlike the antique automatic scissors that required you have an outlet nearby. You need to look at how long the battery will last and how long it takes to recharge it. If you are going to be using your scissors a lot, then you want scissors that will last a couple of hours and recharge in about an hour.
What are You Cutting: You need to also consider what you will be cutting with your scissors. Are you looking for the best craft scissors, professional fabric scissors, or electric carpet shears? You want to make sure that you have blades that are durable and strong enough for the material you work with most.
The Blades: This goes hand in hand with the material that you are trying to cut. Aside from needing blades sharp enough to cut, does your scissors come with a spare set of blades in case yours go dull or get chipped? Even if your scissors don?t come with two sets of blades, do not worry as electric scissors replacement blades are fairly inexpensive.
Design: One of the drawbacks of traditional scissors is the design. They are uncomfortable to use for long periods of time and thus why people switch to rechargeable powered scissors. You want a lightweight and comfortable design that you can hold and use for long periods of time.
How to Sharpen Scissors with a Knife Sharpener
Electric scissors have come a long way since your grandma?s vintage scissors. The scissors you buy today will last for years before getting dull. However, when the time does comes to sharpen your blades, you will encounter a lot of bad advice online. The internet is filled with tutorials on how to sharpen your scissors by cutting sandpaper or layers of tinfoil. Do not do this as you can damage your scissors.
If your blades need to be sharpened, you have the option of bringing them to a professional or trying to sharpen them yourself. If you?re going to sharpen your own scissors, you can do it by hand or use an electric sharpener.
Here is how you can sharpen your own scissors:
1. Remove your blades from your rechargeable scissors.
2. Grab your sharpening stone and start with the inside of the blade first. This is the flat edge of the blade and it can get worn from friction as your scissors cut. You want to slide the flat edge across the stone until it is smooth.
3. Next you want to sharpen the cutting edge. Put the blade on the sharpening stone at an angle so that the edge is in contact with the stone. Pull your blades across the stone from the wide edge to the narrowest tip.
4. Repeat the process with both sides of your scissors.
If you are not comfortable sharpening your scissors manually, then your other option is to grab the best electric knife and scissor sharpener which will take care of the situation for you.
Best Electric Scissors for Cutting Fabric/Cloth and Sewing: Pink Power Electric Fabric Scissors
Specs:
Weight: 1 lb
Lock and Safety Button
2 Hours of Battery Life from Lithium Ion Batter
Works on Different Types of Fabric
These pink power electric scissors come with a lithium-ion rechargeable battery that will give you 2 hours of cutting time before needing to be recharged. They are equipped with an extra blade and they will easily make short work of leather, paper, fabric, carpet, cardboard, plastic and lots of other materials. If you use cutting tools on a regular basis, like rotary cutters, you can easily replace them with these battery operated scissors. Cutting is easy and convenient due to the soft grip handle. You also get a spare blade for when the first one starts to get dull, and it is easy to replace. Your scissors come with a one year warranty, so you can feel comfortable with your purchase.
Most Heavy Duty Industrial Strength Electric Scissors: Hawkforce 4V Cordless Scissors
Specs:
Weight: 1.6 lbs
Lock and Safety Buttons
1 Hour of Battery Life from Lithium Ion Battery
2 Different Blades for Hard and Soft Material
The Hawkforce is one of the best cordless cutting tools on the market. It has two different cutting blades. The ?O? type blades work with softer materials such as paper, felt or fabric. When you need automatic scissors that will cut through plastic, vinyl, or tin sheeting, then switch to the ?D? blades and it will go through them like butter. The blades are easily changed with the push of a button and the ergonomic design makes it comfortable to handle. The rechargeable battery charges in about an hour and the battery will give you one hour of cutting time. There is a power indicator to let you know when the battery is getting low.
Top Power Scissors for Cutting Cardboard: Black & Decker Gray Cordless Power Scissors
Specs:
Weight: 1.25 lbs
Lock and Safety Buttons
70 Minutes of Battery Life from 3.6V NiCAD Rechargeable Battery
Universal Blades for Hard and Soft Material
Black and Decker is renowned for quality, and it can cut through layers of cardboard as easily as it will cut through silk. You are not limited to just cutting cardboard though. You can stack layers of thinner fabric or slice right through upholstery fabric. Weighing in at just over a pound, it is ergonomically designed to be easy to hold and use. The battery will give you just over an hour of cutting time. Black and Decker stands by their products and provides a 2 year warranty so you can feel safe about your purchase.
Final Words
Here is a reminder of our top three picks:
- Best Electric Scissors for Cutting Fabric/Cloth and Sewing: Pink Power Electric Fabric Scissors
- Most Heavy Duty Industrial Strength Electric Scissors: Hawkforce 4V Cordless Scissors
- Top Power Scissors for Cutting Cardboard: Black & Decker Gray Cordless Power Scissors
Any of these cordless cutting tools would make a great choice and make a great replacement for your handheld scissors. We hope these reviews have helped you to find your next pair of rechargeable automatic scissors.
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