Fussy Cutting

Are there any scissors/cutters you like to use for "fussy" cutting? I see a lot of this on the layouts in the Gallery but when I attempt it, I don't get a nice clean edge. Thanks for any input!

these ones:

I use these.

one more vote for the Cutter Bees...

Cutter Bees.

Curved-tip manicure scissors.

I use a finger tip craft knife and mat or micro tip scissors

Fingertip control swivel knife and cutter bees.

I use my cutter bee ones but just recently bought the tim holtz ones, can't wait to try them too!

I just use regular Fiskars scissors, freshly sharpened.


Barefoot-closeup of flower detail By ScrappyMama6

Cutter Bees
Curved blade cuticle scissors
craft knife...love the fingertip one for a lot of the cutting...and I usually use it on my glass mat
I've even used my Coluzzle knife at times..also on the glass mat

For me, it just depends on the design I'm cutting and the paper it's on. Also, make sure to have a really sharp blade in the craft knife when trying to do really delicate designs...or maybe I'm the only one that can manage to tear paper with a knife

Thanks so much for the great info! That brings me to another question since many of you mentioned "sharp" blades - how do you sharpen Cutter Bees?

Whaaaat?! You can sharpen scissors? I'm guessin' that I can't do this on my old pocket knife sharpening block, right? hahaha

I just got the Tim Holtz scissors, cuz, they're black 'n red and, buying Tim Holtz at da Scrap store is kinda like buying Hairspray FOR MEN at the Wal-Mart. Just joking. I don't mind- my set of tools are pink. I *did* look for another color, but this was all Michael's had that day, and they were priced well.

What am I talkin' about? Oh yeah- so sharpening scissors?! How?! I feel like an idiot. I just buy a new pair every now and then- in the past- but now that I have my Tim scissors- aren't they supposed to be self-sharpening (or did I imagine that?) -but these CutterBees look cool. Guess another pair won't hurt me.

-k

Another vote for the Tim scissors!

The titanium cutter bees - found they had a sharper point than the Honey bees.

the finger tip knife

a glass mat

and yes Jenny I tear paper all the time with knives...

And Teresa where do you get your scissors sharpened? A J's etc that is about 30 miles from me has a sharpener come in once or twice a year but because I don't get there often I have never heard about it till after the fact.

• designguyKORY Said:

Of course! Just like knives, you can take them to a sharpening service. If no one in your area has a permanent store-front, look at farmer's markets for a guy (and it's always a guy for some reason) doing knife-sharpening out of the back of a big truck.

Or you can do it yourself with a whetstone, just make sure you're grinding at the right angles.

Again - just like knives, a good pair of scissors should last a lifetime.

Now if Tim and/or CutterBees would just make a left-handed version my life would be one step closer to perfect.

• GMFTS Said:

BF does it for me when he sharpens the hunting/fileting knives.....

These!

I prefer the cutter bees for fussy cutting. Love my Tim Holtz but they aren't quit as good for the really small fussy cutting.

I have an ancient pair of Mrs. Grossman's scissors.

But, of course, now I need a pair of Cutter Bees!

Blasted forums.

Another tip for 'clean cuts' is to turn the paper instead of the scissors. Also, try to cut a long ways with each 'bite' of the scissors. Each time I have to open the scissors again and reposition the paper, I'm likeley to end up with a little bit of a sharp 'mountain' instead of a nice smooth cut.

(Yeahhh..I don't really know how to explain it Hmmmm...now I'm thinking there's probably a sb.com tutorial on fussy cutting....somewhere...surely....)

i have a pair of tiny super sharp scissors from wal-marts craft section. tiny sharp scissors and turn your paper not the scissors. the TH ones look nice, but i can't justify a new pair right now.

i also use my trusty exacto knife ... i have like 6 different kinds of handles and blades to choose from and the tip with those is to always make sure your blade is sharp (chip board eats blades alive and i will only make a few cuts on it before i change the blade .. its a whole lot easier to cut with it then not to mention the age old saying that it's safer to cut with a sharp blade vs a dull one. and just practice, i can seriously cut anything with an 16th of an inch boarder no sweat. but leave the straight stuff for ruler edges.

I use the Fiskars micro tip that is spring loaded. I have been using them for 10 yrs. I never have pain from them. I do lots of paper piecing, fussy cutting all the time. I have cutterbees which I love for cutting sticky things but the tiny little handle is way to small & it would hurt my hand to use them for that. I also have the Tim Holtz scissors which I love too but I do not use them for fussy cutting. I need the spring action. I am putting the scissors in my hand & not sticking my fingers in a hole. Does that make sense?

Linda- I've got those too. Love them for fussy cutting.

I use a variety of cutting tools- cuter bees, embroidery scissors, knifes, micro tips, rotary, and regular old fiskars cheapie scissors.

You are right. I have all the same other cutting tools as you. I do use them for certain things. I love them too.

Cutterbees. If it's really thick cardstock or thin chipboard, the Tim Holtz ones are great.

Ok...stupid question...has it always been called "fussy cutting"?

I learned the term "fussy cutting" when I was making quilts and I just continued using it when I went from fabric to paper, so I have no idea what other term might be/have been used in paper cutting.

Cutter Bees!!!! Love them!!!