Who Invented Scissors?

Scissors can be used for so many purposes, but if we talk about their design, it is elegantly simple. A comfortable handle is attached to blades connected to a pivot point… So, the real question comes here is that, who invented the scissors?

Most people around the world mistakenly give all the credit to Leonardo da Vinci for inventing scissors. Without any doubt da Vinci was amazing, but scissors were around for a long time before him. Some of the major historians believe that scissors were invented in the Middle East about 3,000-4,000 years ago.

For instance, historians have a firm belief that the ancient Egyptians crafted a scissor-like tool somewhere around 1,500B.C. That tool was made up of two bronze blades apart until they were both squeezed.

Ancient Roman Scissors
Ancient Roman Scissors

A pair of scissors simply like our modern scissors with a cross-blade or rotated design was developed by the Ancient Romans somewhere around 100 A.D. At that time the Romans made the scissors out of iron or bronze.

On general bases, if you think about the tools that you use on regular bases, what comes to your mind? If it’s your hobby is building something, then maybe a hammer. If you’re a chef, a spatula possibly makes flipping pancakes easier.

But what will you do if you need to open a package? What if you need to make a craft? All this work cannot be done with the help of a hammer or a spatula. So, which tool you need for this purpose? If you are also like most of the people out there, you will opt for only one tool. What are we talking about here? Scissors, without a doubt!

With the assistance of scissors, you can slice a paper into any shape. Scissors can clip your hair. You can even use them in the kitchen to cut up pizza or chicken.

Presently, there is a huge variety of different types of scissors with definite purposes. For instance, scissors with a length of more than six inches are usually referred to as shears. Whereas, the long shears with tough blades have been formed to trim shrubs and cut metal. Safety scissors for children contain dull blades and rounded tips to make sure they are safe to use in schools. Talking about the nail scissors, they were specially developed to cut toenails and fingernails. There are some specialty scissors which are used by the seamstresses and hairdressers for their particular requirements.

Differnt types of Scissors
Differnt types of Scissors

Let’s have a look at different types of invented Scissors

  1. Pinking Shears: This type of invented scissors is specially designed to make sure your fabric doesn’t fray. If you don’t have any zigzag stitch on your sewing machine and you also don’t want your ends to fray. You can simply use the Pinking Shears type. Do keep it in mind that sewing is supposed to be fun, so don’t get caught up in the uses of tools you use to create your project. Just sew!
  2. Dressmakers Shears: These are a pair of scissors that have a long point of the blade. They are usually longer than 6″ and have a bigger handle with a flat bottom. This type of scissor comes up with a flat bottom so you can simply glide the scissors along the table to cut out pieces in an easy manner. Even, the handle is made with one larger side so that you can put more fingers in it.
  3. Crafting Scissors: When it comes to crafting scissors, they can vary in size depending on the project. These types of scissors can also be called as ‘all-purpose’ scissors because they can be used for almost everything from school projects to cutting out felt squares.
  4. Embroidery Scissors: In size Embroidery, Scissors are quite small, and curved scissors, so that you can get into cramped places with them.
  5. Small Snips: Small Snips are quite the same as Embroidery Scissors, except for the cutting tools. They easily get fit into the palm of your hand and look like half scissors.
  6. Industrial Scissors: These are the heavy-duty scissors-like upholstery. It becomes tuff to recognize them because the name is different at every place you go to. As long as they are hefty and have a long blade, at least longer than 7 inches, means you have Industrial Scissors.
  7. Left Handed Scissors: This is a riddle! For all those sewers, who are left-handed, it isn’t easy to find the cutting utensils that are made specifically for left-handed people. But they are available. You just have to find it.
  8. Rotary Cutters: If you are looking to use this type of scissor, you need to buy a large cutting mat. A whole table would be appropriate. Irrespective of how big your cutting mat really is, you need to be careful while working with it. A rotary cutter is very sharp that it can even slice a finger. Make sure the protective cover is always on when it is around kids. Take care of whatever cutting tool you use, and save your finger.
  9. Tailor Scissors: As the name suggests, they are used by the tailors. These are the simple type of scissors that are heavy and thick with bent handles. Blades are generally short, but durable. With the help of their heavy blades, you can get a suit material or even leather.
  10. Seam Ripper: Make sure you keep it a safe place. A place that you can remember easily. It is because they are small and are even transparent sometimes depending on the brand of your seam ripper. This type can be used to open up the buttonholes, poke through things, and pick apart thread. It is basically a multi-purpose sewing tool.
  11. X-ACTO Knife: You might be surprised by the things that X-Acto Knife can do for you. You can even make a template for quilt squares with this type. Try it.

Conclusion

To sum this up, as I had clearly mentioned that the right is up to you only. When you begin sewing, it is your project, and what and how you use would depend on many things. What is the size of your hands? Is it small or big? Are you right-handed or left-handed? How old are you? According to your age, you might have some restrictions with arthritis or any dexterity issues. This guide is just to help you find the right tool for you. It helps to know the different kinds, so you can make a decision easily.