Tool Talk

What's-It Forum => What's-It Forum => Topic started by: Mac53 on December 02, 2011, 11:07:36 PM

Title: What are these scissors for?
Post by: Mac53 on December 02, 2011, 11:07:36 PM

Well, I know what-it-is ....but whats it for? Stamp on it reads "Crookes Brothers"
Razor blade is for size
(http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j132/thehighlandsking/IMAG0595.jpg)

Title: Re: What are these scissors for?
Post by: anglesmith on December 03, 2011, 01:38:37 AM

These look like paper hanger scissors ,their blade length varied from 10 to 12 inches. The early ones were hand made, the carbon steel blade fire welded to the wrought iron handle and the "bow" was fire welded where it meets the handle.
Graeme

Title: Re: What are these scissors for?
Post by: john k on December 03, 2011, 08:41:27 AM

I've seen a pair of scissors this length labeled as Tailors scissors, for making long accurate cuts in cloth when laying out patterns.

Title: Re: What are these scissors for?
Post by: rusty on December 03, 2011, 09:53:04 AM

"Crookes Brothers"

Does it say Sheffield anywhere?

Crooks Bros of Sheffield was a knife maker in the mid 1800's....

Title: Re: What are these scissors for?
Post by: Mac53 on December 03, 2011, 10:58:10 AM

What are paper hanger scissors?
Tailors was about the only guess we had- but nothing to back that up with.
They are a decoration in my friends shop- I'll try to see if they say anything else, but all I could see was:
Crookes
Brothers

Title: Re: What are these scissors for?
Post by: rusty on December 03, 2011, 11:35:50 AM

>What are paper hanger scissors?

Paper hangers are the folks who put up wallpaper : )

The long blades let you cut reasonably straight...

Title: Re: What are these scissors for?
Post by: J.A.F.E. on December 03, 2011, 12:18:39 PM

I don't think they are cloth shears as the finger loops are too small. Cloth shears usually have a round or roundish thumb loop and an oblong loop for two or three fingers. Paper hangers scissors seem more likely to me.

Title: Re: What are these scissors for?
Post by: scottg on December 03, 2011, 03:35:48 PM

Definitely paper shears.
But too short for even a one legged paper hanger! :)
  Besides good wallpaper shears are usually bent handles on top of being longer and thicker.

 These are called banker shears. General paper trimming. Straight handles, because bankers were cheap.
 
 I have a picture of mine (both kinds) somewhere in my files.
 Can't find it today though!
  I hate when I forget a file name because I named it something lame.   
yours Scott
 PS I did find this one.  This illustrated the thickness of the metal at the crucial pivot joint.
 In this picture, lt to rt  (click the attachment to blow it up)

Heinisch tailor shears (the real deal)
Unmarked bankers shears (thinnest of the group)
 Modern tailor shears.
Paper hanger shears (about 30% thicker than the bankers)
     

Title: Re: What are these scissors for?
Post by: Branson on December 03, 2011, 10:23:11 PM

That's it Scott!  Bankers shears.  Been trying all day to remember the name.

Title: Re: What are these scissors for?
Post by: anglesmith on December 04, 2011, 12:39:08 AM

MAC53 What is the overall length of your scissors?
OOPS.  In my first post I wrongly stated blade length as the measure of size, my apologies. I went and measured my paper hanger's scissors and they range from 10" to 12 1/2" overall!  In the days of the tradesman paper hanger all measuring,cutting and applying glue (no preglued paper)was done on a specially made long trestle table. I think in those days it was only the "rich and famous" who could afford wallpaper!
Graeme

Title: Re: What are these scissors for?
Post by: Mac53 on December 04, 2011, 12:43:14 AM

Thank you all, I think you've got it!

Over all length is around 10" I think (roughly)