I’m always on the lookout for good tailoring tools, especially in antique shops. You can find some quality items if you’re lucky. While vacationing in Lake George, New York this past month, I was fortunate to come across a pair of Wiss Pinking Shears in an antique store, for only $15.
Here they are, in the original box:
A close-up shot of the box reveals they were made in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Who knows where they are made today. I feel that things were made to a much higher standard of quality back then, whereas today so many things are made in China.
And finally, opening the box reveals the shears themselves. As you can see, they are in fairly good condition, the worst thing being a bit of tarnish. Finding the original instruction sheet as well was a nice surprise.
Here they are out of the box. This model measures 10 1/2 inches in length, which I believe is the largest size they make.
A close-up shot of the blades allows you to read the inscription. I had been hoping for some kind of serial number to see when they were made, but they turned out to be patent numbers.
Wiss
Newark, NJ, USA
PATS. 1959190
1965443 — 197040B
For those of you who weren’t aware, pinking shears are different than normal shears in that the blades are saw-toothed instead of straight, leaving a zigzag edge instead of a straight edge. This helps prevent fraying to some degree by limiting the length of the frayed thread after it’s cut. This would have been very handy to have last month as I was tailoring my silk waistcoat.
When I first tried the shears, I was disappointed to find that they were incredibly dull. However, a quick search online revealed that they were relatively easy to sharpen yourself, unlike tailors shears. I found this very informative and edifying video on Youtube on the proper sharpening technique for pinking shears.
After proper sharpening, and a good oiling with standard sewing machine oil, they cut like new again!
These pinking shears are but one of the many tools a tailor uses on a day to day basis. I’ll go over more of them when I come across interesting or unusual finds. Please comment and share with your friends!
Hello…In reagards to the pinking shears you show. I’m under the impression, judging by the box and shape of the shears themselves..these would date to the 1930s or 40s. In the mid 19th c. pinking was done with a chisel and then later on in the century there were pinking machines. These were machines that fastened on a table similar to a ginder, etc. and then a handle was turned that ran the fabric through the machine. I was lucky enough to find one of these at an antique shop this summer. You can also find them occasionally on ebay. Most of the pinking seen on period orignal clothing is done on a trim to keep from raveling in lue of hem. I would abe interested in visiting with you about any documentation you find on your shears and other pinking machines
Regards
Vivian Murphy
Hi Vivian,
I’d date these to that time period as well. I’m afraid I’m not too familiar with period pinking machines. It seems they would have had different style blades for different affects? Scallops, zig-zags, etc? When I helped a friend with her chemise, the pattern called for scalloping along one of the edges.
Thanks for your comment!
Jim
I recently had the unfortunate task of packing up my mom’s things when she past away. I came across Wiss Pinking Shears, also in their original box. These have black handles and there’s an indentation inside the box where the screw on the scissors sets in to secure them in the box or perhaps to protect the screw.
I have my grandmothers shears and was searching to see how old they are. This helped. Thanks
Thanks for the how to sharpen pinking shears. I have a good quality pair from Sheffield England that need sharpening and can’t find anyone here who can do it.
Thanks for the info on the shears and sharpening. I have my grandmother’s pair -same numbers as your photo- she did men’s tailoring in the 1940’s and 1950’s – and these are Heavy. Just wish there were sharp enough to use again.
I have a pair of Griffon Pinking Shears, apparently the blades are removable and were replaced, still have the shears and box, wondering if replacement blades might be available, a sharpening shop in NYC did not think they could be sharpened.
They’re definitely able to be sharpened. I’m going to try to post instructions on that soon, possibly a video.
Hi James. We’re you able to get the Griffin TruPink sharpening video done? I took a pair to a sharpening professional, he had never worked with the Griffon style before so he graciously bowed out of the job.
Yesterday I was gifted multiple boxes of craft and sewing stuff from an estate sale. First thing I found was a box with pinking shears. Still nicely oiled, original box and instructions, leather case aaaand. The receipt. They cost 9 dollars and we’re bought October 26, 1942. They don’t look to be used at all. The gold box dies have a few scratches and scrapes but everything inside looks new
I have my grandmothers shears and was searching to see how old they are. This helped. They are still in the original box as well and still work great.
Hi
I got an old pinking shear for my wife made by Sweiss it has a number 29 on it.I can’t find out much about the manufacturer.The shear is aluminium with detachable blades.I looked up the first patents and it is almost the same as the first patented one.If anyone has any info on this pinking shear I would appreciate hearing about it.Thanks Ian Palmer in New Zealand.
Jan/2018: Have scissors like yours; same pat. #following the 1970408–2286874. Would like any addl. info. Need to know what tool to use to tighten scissors. Will try to sharpen also. Inherited from deceased family member.No paper/no box. So glad I found your info today. Thanks!!
I have a pair of Wiss pinking shears I found at a thrift store. They are very tight/stiff though. Any information on your instruction sheet about how to loosen them? or is it just oil they might need? Thank you!
Yes, a drop or two of sewing machine oil should loosen them!
I would love to know the names of the different odd screws that I cannot for the life of me loosen and/or remove to adjust the shear tension.
One of the screws in particular is on the WISS fabric pinking shear. I can not find hardly anything on the internet about the name of this screw, the name of the tool to loosen and/or remove it etc… The closest I have come is a torque wrench/spanner wrench. However, the smallest one I can find is 1/2 inch; which I ordered and is WAY TOO big for this little unnamed screw.
Last resort is to call around to some shear manufacturing companies and/or contact professionals like yourself who may be able to help me out with identifying these screws as well as letting me know where I can purchase spare parts, accessories, repair kits and tools that will loosen and/or remove these weird little screws.
Thank you kindly for any feedback that you can be so kind as to share with us; as sharpening is only part of our job… without being able to repair/adjust the alignment/tension of these shears, the sharpness is futile.
I was just given my great grandmothers pinking shears. I can remember playing with them when I was little while my grandmother, who had inherited them sewed. I was also given 2 sets of tailoring shears that I believe date back to the same time that my husband has sharpened for me. It is amazing the difference using these quality tools makes!!