Scissors for Shoe Making

Straight-Blade Scissors

These are the most commonly used scissors in shoemaking. They have straight blades and are versatile for cutting various materials such as leather, fabric, and synthetic materials.

Curved Scissors

Curved scissors have blades with a slight curve, which can be useful for cutting along lining allowance where straight bladed scissors is difficult to use.

There's a specific technique for holding scissors, even those with a straight blade, which allows you to use basic leather scissors to cut lining allowance without harming the upper's topline. I cover this method in detail across all my online shoemaking courses. For a concise introduction to this technique, along with a few others, check out this free shoemaking tutorial: "9 Best Value Shoe Making Tips for 2016".

Pinking Shears

Pinking shears have serrated blades that create a zigzag edge when cutting. They find frequent application in shoemaking, particularly for crafting upper leather. These specialized scissors are employed to fashion decorative toplines or intricate detailing within the shoe upper, enhancing the overall design aesthetics. So to upgrade some of you shoe designs even without changing you shoe pattern, you can use this pinking shears to cretae a zigzag line in the upper parts where you have folding.

Online stores for shoe making

When choosing scissors for shoemaking, it's essential to consider the type of materials you'll be cutting. Leather requires sturdy, sharp scissors that can handle its thickness, while fabric and softer materials may require finer, more delicate scissors.

There are several online stores where you can find some of these scissors. Additionally, I'd recommend checking out local stores in your area.

https://www.georgebarnsleyandsons.co.uk/leather-working-knives

https://www.springfieldleather.com/shop-now/tools/hand-tools/cutting-supplies?page=2