While Jenny and I were at CHA this year, we stopped into the Westcott Brand booth, and I somehow managed to leave with just about every pair of scissors they had! This is the first of two reviews, and I will be covering only the Westcott Titanium Bonded Craft Scissors with larger blades in this one. (I will be reviewing the smaller detail scissors next week.)
For this review, I tried each pair of scissors on a variety of fabrics to see how they performed. Each pair was tested on seven fabrics: cotton, felt, oilcloth, stretch cotton, canvas, poly lining, and flannel. For scissors with straight blades, I cut a straight line, a curved line, a spiral, and an irregularly angled line in cotton to see how the blades performed at varying levels of detail, then I cut only a curved line and straight line in the remaining six fabrics. For the pairs of scissors with detail tips (microtips), I cut a straight line, a curved line, a spiral, and an irregularly angled line in all fabrics.
Below, I give an overview of my experiences with each pair. To see a detailed photo of how each pair of scissors cut each type of fabric, click the “more” link at the bottom of the page.
Westcott Titanium Bonded 8†Straight Handle (Item #15135)
This is a basic straight blade scissor. For straight and curved lines, the cut was smooth, accurate, and clean for all fabrics. In the cotton detail tests, the spiral cuts were clean and accurate until the tightest curves, where the blades became difficult to maneuver; in the irregularly angled line, the blades overshot the smallest and tightest angles.
Note: This is not a detail blade.
According to the package:
• Titanium Bonded Blades=Ultra durable blades stay sharper longer
• Contoured handles=Greater comfort, less stress, easier cutting
• Lifetime warranty=Assurance of quality Since 1872
• Adjustable Pivot=Adjust blade tension for optimal performance
Westcott Titanium Bonded Non-Stick 8†Straight Handle (Item #15122)
For fabrics, there was little difference between the standard and non-stick blades. For straight and curved lines, the cut was smooth, accurate, and clean for all fabrics, and the Teflon coating made a noticeable difference only in the ease of cutting felt. In the cotton detail tests, the spiral cuts were clean and accurate until the tightest curves, where the blades became difficult to maneuver; in the irregularly angled line, the blades overshot the smallest and tightest angles.
Note: This is not a detail blade.
According to the package:
• New! Improved Titanium Bonded Blades=5 times harder than stainless steel, stays sharper longer
• NON-STICK blade formula=Resists adhesives from cutting glues and tapes
• Contoured handles=Greater comfort, less stress, easier cutting
• Lifetime warranty=Assurance of quality Since 1872
• Adjustable Pivot=Adjust blade tension for optimal performance
Westcott Titanium Bonded 8†Bent Handle (Item #15137)
The bent handle made it easier to cut the fabric when it was flat on the table, and slightly reduced hand fatigue, which would be helpful when cutting large pieces of fabric. Beyond improvements in comfort, there was no difference in the quality of cuts between the 8″ straight handle and 8″ bent handle scissors.
Note: This is not a detail blade.
According to the package:
• Titanium Bonded Blades=Ultra durable blades stay sharper longer
• Contoured handles=Greater comfort, less stress, easier cutting
• Lifetime warranty=Assurance of quality Since 1872
• Adjustable Pivot=Adjust blade tension for optimal performance
Westcott Titanium Bonded 7†Microtip (Item #15140)
Slightly smaller in blade and handle than the 8″ straight handle scissors, I found the 7″ microtip to be easier to maneuver and more comfortable for smaller hands. For straight and curved lines, the cut was smooth, accurate, and clean for all fabrics. In the cotton detail tests, the spiral cuts were clean and accurate cut, and the microtip allowed the blades to maneuver around even the smallest curve. The irregularly angled line showed similar improvement, as the microtip allowed the blades to maneuver around tight angles with only slight overreach in the smallest areas.
Note: This IS a detail blade.
According to the package:
• Titanium Bonded Blades=Ultra durable blades stay sharper longer
• Contoured handles=Greater comfort, less stress, easier cutting
• Lifetime warranty=Assurance of quality Since 1872
• Adjustable Pivot=Adjust blade tension for optimal performance
Westcott Titanium Bonded 6†Microtip (Item #15279)
The oversized handles made the 6″ microtip the most comfortable scissors to use by far. Because of the shorter blade, it was harder to accurately cut a straight line. The curved line, though it took longer to cut, was the smoothest and most accurate of any of the other scissors in all fabrics. In the cotton detail tests, the microtip was very smooth and accurate on tight curves, and the large handles and short blades made it much easier to control around tight angles.
These scissors came with a protective lanyard, but I found that they were too heavy to stay in it. The protective cover works well in the drawer or on the go to protect the tip, but it isn’t really practical to wear. The scissors fell out of the lanyard as I was walking calmly through my apartment, so watch your toes if you decide to wear yours!
Note: This IS a detail blade.
According to the package:
• Titanium Bonded Blades=Ultra durable blades stay sharper longer
• Contoured handles=Greater comfort, less stress, easier cutting
• Lifetime warranty=Assurance of quality Since 1872
• Adjustable Pivot=Adjust blade tension for optimal performance
Overall impressions:
The adjustable blade tension for all of the scissors is an outstanding feature in the whole Titanium Bonded Craft line, as it allows each pair of scissors to be adjusted in a way that makes them most comfortable for you, and most efficient for your project.
As a hip, crafty lady who happens to like primary colors, my only real complaint about the Westcott Brant Craft Scissors is the color scheme. I know that ladies comprise a large part of the craft tool market, but do craft supplies really all need to be purple and pink? It’s a small issue, but I’m positive that I’m not alone!
Finally, despite the fact that I don’t like pink very much, I have to say that I’m quite impressed with this line of scissors. I used several of them regularly over the past month while I was making my dress for the Emmys, and I noticed no dulling of the blades and no irregularities, even after heavy, not careful use. With a suggested price point of $20 or less for each pair, I think that these scissors are a very good value, and I’m happy to have a set in my sewing desk.
Detailed photos of each fabric and scissor combination:
- Westcott 8″ Straight Handle
- Westcott 8″ Straight Handle Blade
- Westcott 8″ Straight Handle on Cotton: Straight, Curves, and Details
- Westcott 8″ Non-Stick Straight Handle
- Westcott 8″ Non-Stick Straight Handle Blades
- Westcott 8″ Straight Handle Non-Stick on Cotton: Straight, Curves, and Details
- Westcott 8″ Bent Handle
- Westcott 8†Bent Handle Blades
- Westcott 8″ Bent Handle on Cotton: Straight, Curves, and Details
- Westcott 7†Microtip
- Westcott 7†Microtip Blades
- Westcott 7″ Microtip on Cotton: Straight, Curves, and Details
- Westcott 6″ Microtip Large Handle
- Westcott 6″ Microtip Large Handle Blades
- Westcott 6″ Large Handle Microtip on Cotton: Straight, Curves, and Details
Now for the fun part- we have some scissors and holsters to giveaway! You have TWO chances to enter to double the fun, as well. The first way to enter is simply leave a comment on this post. The second is to head over to the Westcott Brand Facebook page, “like” it, and tell them we sent you, then come back HERE and leave a separate comment telling us that you’ve done so. We’ll pick a winner at random on Sept. 30th and send the winners an email.
Only US residents are eligible for the giveaway, but we sure do appreciate your comments nonetheless!
Disclosure: Samples provided for review and giveaway.
If you’d like to purchase Westcott Products, please support CTD and use our affiliate links:
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I like Westcott Brand on fb and said that you sent me.
Wow! What an in depth review. Thank you for all the great information. I love Westcott scissors!
I like that you challenged the scissors with all the types of cutting we would use them for – great review.
amylfahnestock at gmail dot com
Thanks for doing all the hard work for us!
I love your detailed testing! I am just starting sewing and I am often at a loss when it comes to buying tools. If I win these scissors, I will have more money to spend on fabric-YEY!:)
Went to Westcott Brand and told them that your review was fantastic:) Even if I don’t win-Thank you!
great review. I have small hands and would really love to try the 3rd pair of scissors in particular. Now to head nover to wescott brands…I’ll be back!
this is the comment I left on the Westcott facebook page:Just read the review of your craft scissors by Craft Test Dummies. Great review, sound like great scissors too! I’ll definitely be looking for the large handled, short bladed ones she said would be easy on my smaller hands
Hi,Craft Test Dummies. I have discovered your wonderful blog thanks to Drew’s(The Crochet Guy) blog. I prefer my fiskers but have not really tried any other scissors. I’ll be checking back on your blog to see what your testing next.
Well, thanks for stopping by, Brandi! Glad to have you visiting! : )
I like the idea of the non-stick blades…perfect for duct tape crafts!
Great series of tests! I LOVE the thought of the non-stick blades though I’m not sure my paper and glue crafts would be the best thing for the scissors. I can imagine them all shrieking at the possibility of having my dirty mitts on them. 🙂
Wow – I Love these Scissors – especially the smaller ones.
Thanks for the detailed post, and all of the pictures, etc.
I love Good Scissors and these look like they are the really Special ones.
Money is always short for me, and how I would lovce to win a pair : )
Thanks so much,
Linda
PS =
This is such a fantastic detailled post that I want a pair of these grest scissors – now : )
Thanks for.the.very.detailed.review…..sounds.like.they.would.work.well
One can never have too many pairs of scissors…thanks for the thorough review and rockin’ giveaway!
I thank you & appreciate your in depth reviews!! I do own one pair of scissors, from Westcott & they have worked very well for me!! Thanks for a chance to wwin this great giveaway!!!
Visited Westcott’s FB page, AAF, told them you sent me to visit & how much I like their products!!!
What a great review!
I like Westcott Brand on Facebook
I think I was a pair of scissors in another life! I love your reviews and I follow you on twitter. Thanks for the detailed reviews and I hope I win!!
Sincerely,
Coleen
Great review!!
I love my Westcott Scissors! I have the non-stick 6″ & 8″ scissors and I use them exclusively.
Liked Westcott on Facebook and commented that you sent me!!
Great review! The micro tip scissors are superior for snipping rag quilts.
LOVE all of westcott products!!
I read this review and it got me thinking about how I never really critiqued a pair of scissors, or thought about them much at all, except for their cutting ability on any chosen item. Somehow, I think my ‘new’ collection came from getting my grandmother’s cutting shears- she was a cutter in a mill here in upstate NY. They are huge and heavy, and I love the history behind them. Lately, I seem to be picking up any pair of scissors I don’t already have, and I don’t have these. So- here’s to winning!
Wow. Awesome review thanks for the chance of getting this great product
Well, six years later, and a question about how long they hold up? Namely, what EXACTLY does titanium “bonded” mean? Is this like the cheap “leather bonded” junk that staples sells for furniture? (e.g., bits and pieces of “leather” fused together with glue) In this case, is this “titanium” somehow fused onto the exterior of conventional scissors (with a “laser” no doubt) — and then they can charge premium prices and count on bloggers like you to rave about how long the edge will last. Ok, how have they held up for you? Still the same sharpness you valued 6 years ago? What happens too when you eventually need to sharpen them? Does that “titanium” coating get sharpened away?
So… I have to be honest. Your tone is pretty aggressive. You may want to consider that in the future. But to answer your question, I moved aobut a year ago, and only took my favorite scissors for my craft room- my Duck Tape Fiskars (non-stick) and my Amplify shears. I kept one of the westcotts for the kitchen drawer. It’s held up OK, but I have seen some nicking. But that’s also because my family abuses them pretty severely!