The other edged tool...

[tombear]

Today I sing the praises of the other edged tool which was highly prized by the various native peoples, scissors.

I know that apart from the tiny jobs on Swiss army knives and Leatherman type tools few of us carry them into the woods but for making the stuff we take with us they make oh so much easier.

Since a good pair now costs a bomb I have taken to picking them up on car boots and restoring them and on Sunday was lucky enough to find some 13" Wilkinson tailors shears for 50p which have cleaned up lovely with a quick dip in the citric acid solution, 5 minutes on the wire wheel and a couple of coats of hammerite smooth on the handles, Unfortunately for my anal retentive side the second coat kept the brush marks but that aestheic irritation aside I am chuffed to bits with them.

I couple of quick passes with the good old electric file and they were resharpened. They cut like a dream.

And if you want to know why I am so pleased , Whiteley and Wilkinsons are the same firm

http://www.uksewing.com/p971/W-Whitley-&-Son-Tailors-shear-13-INCH/product_info.html

I nearly fell off my perch!

ATB

Tom

http://www.whiteley.co.uk/userguide/index.htm

For a useful guide to selecting scissors

 

[JonathanD]

Cor blimey, now that's a find and a half. Great refurb.

 

[tombear]

Cor blimey, now that's a find and a half. Great refurb.

Cheers! I'm hoping the other two are still there this Sunday. They will need a bit more work but will make decent trade goods.

I'm also hoping the 6" Record engineers vice will be there again, he only wanted 30 for it.... I just googled the equivilent Irwin Record model and I nearly feinted at the cost I may do up that one to sell on as its too big for my shed. More than likely someone else has grabbed that one, or he won't term up a second time

D'oh!

ATB

Tom

 

[_scorpio_]

especially not if he is on this forum lol!

 

[helixpteron]

They're looking good!

You start collecting and beautifully rejuvenating scissors and it'll only be a matter of time before someone calls you Edward...

 

[Hugo]

I picked up and then put down Two lovely old pairs at my local boot market, I never asked the price Just interested, they looked just the same as yours.
I did pick up an interesting hammer head that was very much like a brick hammer.
But the Two ends were much smaller.
I dithered and put it down, the guy who was hovering next to me picked it up and got it for 15 pence, not to worry as I did get a stainless steel twin walled ice bucket for 40 pence
to turn into a billy can if I can get the two sides apart. there are 6 very small spot welds to deal with.
Boot markets I love em.

 

[robin wood]

http://www.uksewing.com/p971/W-Whitley-&-Son-Tailors-shear-13-INCH/product_info.html

I nearly fell off my perch!

Nice job, I do like a good pair of scissors, £145 for 13" is rather steep though Ernest Wright do them for £60 http://www.ernestwright.co.uk/catalogue/browse.aspx?productId=263&breadcrumb=13_50 not that many use 13" tailors shears.

Better still to get them at a car boot and bring them back to life.

It may interest you to know the best selling size was always 8 1/4" the second pair down in your photo. Apparently years ago domestic scissors were subject to sales tax whilst professional shears used as tools were not, the definition of scissors vs tools was set at 8" hence lots of 8 1/4" tax free tailors shears. Wrights do a lovely pair of those gift boxed for £28 inc P&P.

Or how about these as a gift for someone who sews gold plate for £16

http://www.ernestwright.co.uk/catalogue/browse.aspx?productId=228&breadcrumb=13_56

Pics of Wrights scissor works here http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43696&highlight=kutrite

 

[fred gordon]

I agree. Very under rated tools scissors. Great buy though, well done

 

[tombear]

I've some Wright scissors as well, good kit. When I come across old UK made tools and they ain't too far gone I do tend to get them if cheep enough or if I don't have the like.

I must admit I've been goiing around the house looking at all the scissors. I was particularly pleased to find out my favourite 9" sewing scissors (which I won't let anyone else use) are Whiteleys as well, those I got new for 12 quid from a old fashioned ironmongers in Stockport. For some reason I had thought it said "Whitby" on them, and this is something I use most days! D'oh!

I've also some 1944 dated HMSO scissors I have to refurb at some point I found at work and which followed me home.

Interesting Stuff there RW, thanks. I need to find out more about them, know the quality brands so I know which to get to restore.

The big shears are grand for cutting blanket material.

ATB

Tom

 

[Tengu]

Oh! I keep on losing mine.