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)

Westcott 8" Straight Handle

Westcott 8" Straight Handle Blade

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 8" Straight Handle on Cotton: Straight, Curves, and Details

Westcott Titanium Bonded Non-Stick 8” Straight Handle (Item #15122)

Westcott 8" Non-Stick Straight Handle

Westcott 8" Non-Stick Straight Handle Blades

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 8" Straight Handle Non-Stick on Cotton: Straight, Curves, and Details

Westcott Titanium Bonded 8” Bent Handle (Item #15137)

Westcott 8" Bent Handle

Westcott 8” Bent Handle Blades

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 8" Bent Handle on Cotton: Straight, Curves, and Details

Westcott Titanium Bonded 7” Microtip (Item #15140)

Westcott 7” Microtip

Westcott 7” Microtip Blades

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 7" Microtip on Cotton: Straight, Curves, and Details

Westcott Titanium Bonded 6” Microtip (Item #15279)

Westcott 6" Microtip Large Handle

Westcott 6" Microtip Large Handle Blades

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

Westcott 6" Large Handle Microtip on Cotton: Straight, Curves, and Details

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:

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:

• About the Author
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About Haley

Brooklyn-based DIY from a Gal in Granny Glasses! When not at CTD, I write The Zen of Making (http://www.thezenofmaking.com), a DIY blog featuring craft tutorials, handmade geekery, and all things domestic. (Okay, and a few cat photos.)

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