Sunday, August 31, 2008

#10: Unknown Red & Black Handled Scissors

Maker: Unknown
Model: Unknown
Materials: Unknown
Year: Vintage?
Length: 22.5cm, 9"
Description: Lower blade slightly serrated. Heavy construction. Possibly metal snips.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

101 Things to do with Scissors: #2


When life gives you scissors, make spiders.

This one pretty much speaks for itself. From Christopher Locke, a.k.a. Heartless Machine (homepage here)

A little hard on scissors, I guess... but a cool end result.

<--See also this example by Shannon Couture.

Friday, August 29, 2008

101 Things to do with Scissors: #1

A Scissor Mobile

Made by Lisa Congdon, found via Jenny Ryan.

I don't know if it is the idea that mobiles hang over cribs or over-effective scissor safety training, but the commenters seem a little over sensitive about the potential dangers of this creation. It's not like you would want any kind of large mobile or chandelier to bounced off your head, but closed scissors are really just lumps of metal, really.

I am having some thoughts about my lamp with the broken shade and that bulk lot of airport-seized nail scissors I bought on the assumption I'd think of something to do with them.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Scissor art in progress


So I have a bunch of cuticle scissors and a ribbon. I figure I should be able to do something with this. But I am bit stumped on how to do the arms...

Monday, August 18, 2008

#9 (a-c): Unknown Red-Handled Scissors

Maker: Unknown, Taiwan
Model: Unknown
Materials: Unknown
Year: Vintage? ~1960s.
Length: 20cm, 8"
Description: As shown. This model seems to be very common.
Value: ~$5
3 examples in collection

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Scissor Reading

Everything you do can say something about you, even your choice of scissors. With this in mind I offer 'scissor readings' where you send me a picture of your scissors and I read what they say about you. This is obviously for entertainment purposes and I make no promises as to accuracy.



What I see in these scissors is a person with a focus on getting the job done and works hard at any task she takes on. She is reliable both in completing a project and sticking by a friend. I see a woman who definitely appreciates comfort, but has no time for unnecessary girly frills and froo-froo. The owner of these scissors is probably known as self-assured and confident but in a calm and relatively quiet way. Some who is doesn't sing her own praises and possibly under appreciated except by those who know her well.

Friday, August 15, 2008

#8: Spear Brand Ordinary Scissors

Maker: Spear Brand
Model: Ordinary Scissors, JD611-JD616
Materials: carbon steel
Year: Modern
Length: various
Description: Spear Brand is a modern makers of scissors based in China. The scissors are listed here for two reasons. One is that they are functional, attractively designed and inexpensive. If you want small-bladed scissors with a slightly different look these might fit the bill. The other reason is that the style shown here might easily be mistaken for/sold as vintage rather than modern, so be aware.

spear brand ordinary scissors

Thursday, August 14, 2008

#7: Over-Sized Novelty Scissors

Maker: unknown
Model: N/A
Materials: unknown
Year: unknown
Length: 57cm/22" long
Description: These over sized scissor are marginally functional, but do not appear to be intended for use. They may be a theatrical prop or for a store display.

Monday, August 11, 2008

#6: W. C. Heimerdinger

Maker: Heimerdinger Cutlery (founded 1861) is still trading although they no long manufacture.
Model: unknown
Materials: unknown
Year: unknown
Length: 27cm/10.5" long
Description: As shown.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

#5: Ernst Holtgrave adjustable scissors

Maker: E. Holtgrave?
Model: Pat no 841690
Materials: ?
Year: 1907--?
Length: 18cm long
Description:Subject to a 1907 patent these scissors have a device that varies how tightly the blades are screwed together. This example has two-tone red and yellow painted handles.

ernst holtgrave adjustable scissors

Friday, August 8, 2008

#4: J Wiss & Sons J-7

Maker: J. Wiss & Sons
Model: J-7
Materials:
Year: unknown modern
Length: 17.25 cm long
Description: The company was founded in 1848, however these scissor are clearly far more modern--probably mid to late-twentieth century. [The model is mentioned but not pictured in catalogues from 1950: catalogue 1, pricelist].

Thursday, August 7, 2008

#3: Kleencut

Maker: Kleencut
Model: BD. of ED. NYC (Board of Education?)
Materials: Steel
Year: unknown modern
Length: 18 cm long
Description: Remnant of black paint on handles.



#1: Electric Steel.

Maker: unknown
Model: unknown
Materials: Steel
Year: unknown
Length: 20.25 cm long
Description: Remnants of black paint on the handle.
Blade engraved: ELECTRIC STEEL


#2: I.P. Hyde 12"

Maker: I.P.Hyde, Southbridge, Mass. (still in business as Hyde Tools but no longer seem to make scissors)
Model: XX-12"
Materials: Brass handle?
Year: unknown
Length: 31.5 cm long
Description: Dress maker's / tailor's shears.
Value: A little difficult to estimate.  In good condition maybe $20.