The short answer
The Fiskars 8 in Pinking Shears are the pair to start with, the Gingher 7.5 in Pinking Shears are the long-life pick if the weight suits you, and the Fiskars SoftGrip Pinking Shears are the comfortable middle choice.
Our verdict
Top Picks
Pinking shears cut a zigzag edge that keeps woven fabric from unravelling as fast as a straight cut, which makes them a quick way to finish a seam allowance when you have no serger. The right pair depends on what you cut: the weight of the fabric, how long you cut at a stretch, and how a heavy pair feels in your hand. This guide compares eight pinking shears you can buy on Amazon today, from light budget pairs to forged and plated steel ones.
Finder
Find a pair for your fabric and budget
Pick what you need it for and what you want to spend. The suggestion is our editorial starting point, drawn from the eight pinking shears below, not a test result.
Price tier legend: $ = entry level, $$ = mid-range, $$$ = premium, relative to the products in this guide.
Compare the picks
Compare the pinking shears
The table lists the exact variant each review links. Lengths are overall lengths; no maker’s page here publishes blade length (the Westcott listing’s 2.6 in looks like an error). “Not published” means neither the maker nor the Amazon listing gives the figure.
Fiskars 8 inBest OverallCotton, everyday seams8 inHard plastic$20.97 Prime
Evidence: owner reports, no independent test
Gingher 7.5 inBest PremiumSingle-layer wovens, long-term use7.5 inSteel$54.85
Evidence: ARTnews Recommends, this exact model
Fiskars SoftGripMost ComfortableLong cutting sessions9.5 inSoft-grip$39.77
Evidence: ARTnews Recommends, Fiskars Softgrip pinking shears; size not stated
Fiskars Easy ActionBest Spring-Action PairHand strain, long seams10.5 inSpring action$39.99
Evidence: one PatternReview owner (thread dated 2021) reported poor cuts after six months; size not stated; specs from a reseller's Amazon listing
Westcott TitaniumBest BudgetFelt, crafts, left-handed use9.5 inSoft$16.15 Prime
Evidence: maker specs only, no independent test
Singer ProSeriesBest for Crisp CottonCrisp cotton, crafts9 inSoft TPR$16.99
Evidence: maker specs only, no independent test
Mundial Classic ForgedBest Forged AlternativeTailoring, layered wovens7.5 inSteel$49.99
Evidence: ARTnews Recommends, Mundial Classic Forged line; size not stated
Mundial Cushion SoftBest AmbidextrousLeft-handed use, comfort8.5 inCushioned$26.99
Evidence: maker specs only, no independent test
How We Chose These Pinking Shears
How this guide was built
built from manufacturer documentation, published third-party reviews and owner reports; we have not tested these products ourselves.
What decided the picks
- Cut quality on woven fabric: owner reports of clean bites that do not chew the cloth.
- Weight and length: owners notice the weight of a steel pair; a longer pair may cover more fabric per cut, but no maker’s page here publishes blade length.
- Handle: hard plastic, soft grip, spring action or steel, and whether the maker says left-handed sewists can use it.
- Build and care: blade material and plating, and whether a sharpener can restore the edge.
- Availability: in stock on Amazon, new, with a seller we could verify on the day we checked.
Where the information comes from and what sewists say about Fiskars and Gingher
Where the information comes from
Specifications come from the makers’ pages (Mundial), retailer spec sheets and the Amazon listings, cited in each review. The only editorial roundup we found that names these models is ARTnews Recommends’ pinking shears guide from 2021, which picked the Gingher 7.5 in, a Fiskars SoftGrip pair and the Mundial Classic Forged. We found no lab-style test of pinking shears from a major review publisher, so where a review rests on owner reports or specifications alone, it says so.
What sewists say about Fiskars and Gingher
The recurring question on r/sewing is whether Gingher pinking shears are worth the premium over Fiskars. Owners split along weight more than cut: several describe the Gingher pair as heavy (“those suckers DO weigh a ton”, one owner wrote), while Fiskars owners report pairs that last for years. One owner who found the Gingher handles uncomfortable suggested buying Fiskars and putting the difference toward a pinking blade for a rotary cutter. Kai’s pinking shears also get owner praise (“Kai makes a great pair”), but they were not in stock on Amazon when we checked, so they are not reviewed here.
Detailed Reviews
Fiskars 8 in Pinking Shears, Best Overall
classic orange handle · Hard plastic
Anyone who sews garments or quilts at home and wants a dependable first pair without paying for forged or plated steel.
$20.97 from AmazonAs of Nov 11, 08:39 UTCVerdict
A light, inexpensive pair that owners report keeping for years.
Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. Andi Bedsworth, artist and teacher: Fiskars pinking shears, size not stated.
The classic orange-handled Fiskars come up again and again in owner threads for one reason: they last. One r/sewing owner said Fiskars pinking shears “last forever if well cared for”, and artist and teacher Andi Bedsworth writes of pinking shears that “My favorite pair are from Fiskars”. The 8 in length suits everyday seam allowances on cotton, linen and quilting weights. The hard plastic handle is the trade-off: it is less forgiving than the SoftGrip version below if you cut for long stretches.
Specs (linked: 8 in, model 194450)
- Length: 8 in overall
- Blade: stainless steel (listing)
- Handle: hard plastic, orange
- Tooth size: not published
Pros
- Stainless steel pair that owners report lasting for years
- Widely sold, so a second pair is easy to find
- Fits most hands for everyday seam finishing
Cons
- Hard plastic handle that some users find less comfortable over long sessions
- Light build may need more strokes on heavy denim or canvas
- Fiskars does not publish the tooth size or weight
Who should buy it
Anyone who sews garments or quilts at home and wants a dependable first pair without paying for forged or plated steel.
Gingher 7.5 in Pinking Shears, Best Premium
Sewists who want one plated-steel pair to keep and resharpen for years, and who find a heavy pair comfortable.
$54.85 from AmazonAs of Nov 11, 08:39 UTCVerdict
Plated steel shears built to last, for sewists who do not mind their weight.
Evidence: Independently reviewed, exact model. ARTnews Recommends: 7.5 in.
Gingher’s 7.5 in pinking shears are the pair ARTnews put first, noting that “Their 7.5-inch pinking shears are no exception” to Gingher’s reputation for tools that last. The nickel-plated steel construction (AllStitch) is what owners notice first: those who prefer the Gingher still warn that it is heavy, and one found the handles uncomfortable for the extra force a pinked cut needs. Two retailers that sell it give the same advice on use: Mood Fabrics says they are “best for cutting one layer of fabric at a time”, and AllStitch recommends one layer at a time to keep the blades’ factory setting.
Specs (linked: 7.5 in, G-7PTIN)
- Length: 7.5 in overall
- Blade: steel, nickel-plated finish
- Handle: steel
- Weight: not published
Pros
- Nickel-plated steel build that a sharpener can restore
- Named first in the only editorial roundup of pinking shears we found
- Compact 7.5 in length for trimming seam allowances
Cons
- Heavy enough that several owners mention the weight
- Retailers advise cutting one layer at a time
- Premium price for a 7.5 in pair
Who should buy it
Sewists who want one plated-steel pair to keep and resharpen for years, and who find a heavy pair comfortable.
Fiskars SoftGrip Pinking Shears, 9.5 in, Most Comfortable
Sewists who pink long seams or whole quilts in one sitting and want more cushioning than the classic Fiskars.
$39.77 from AmazonAs of Nov 11, 08:39 UTCVerdict
The classic Fiskars blades with cushioned touchpoints and a bent handle for longer cutting.
Evidence: Independently reviewed, same series. ARTnews Recommends: Softgrip pinking shears, size not stated.
The SoftGrip version adds rubber touchpoints to the handle and a bent design that keeps the lower blade flat on the table, which helps when you pink a long seam allowance. ARTnews picked a Fiskars Softgrip pair for the cushioned finger holes, describing the result as “a tool that one would struggle to find fault with”; it did not say which size it reviewed. Manhattan Wardrobe Supply notes that the 9.5 in SoftGrip’s “Blades are the same size as standard 8 inch shears” (Manhattan Wardrobe Supply), and Amazon lists an 8 in SoftGrip pair as 9.5 in long, so the extra length is mostly handle. That makes it more comfortable, not a longer cut.
Specs (linked: 9.5 in, model 198980)
- Length: 9.5 in overall; blades the size of standard 8 in shears (retailer)
- Blade: stainless steel
- Handle: plastic with SoftGrip touchpoints, bent
- Tooth size: not published
Pros
- Cushioned SoftGrip touchpoints for longer cutting sessions
- Bent handle keeps fabric flat on the table
- Same stainless Fiskars blade class as the classic 8 in pair
Cons
- Costs more than the classic pair for the same blade size
- Longer handle does not mean a longer cut
- Bent handle takes getting used to if you cut in the air
Who should buy it
Sewists who pink long seams or whole quilts in one sitting and want more cushioning than the classic Fiskars.
Fiskars Easy Action Pinking Shears, 10.5 in, Best Spring-Action Pair
Sewists who find ordinary shears tiring to reopen and mostly pink long, straight seams.
$39.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 11, 08:39 UTCVerdict
A spring that reopens the blades after each cut, for sewists whose hands tire quickly; weigh one owner’s report of poor cuts after six months.
Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. PatternReview owner: Easy Action, size not stated.
The Easy Action pair adds a spring that opens the blades for you, so each stroke only asks you to close your hand. Its Amazon listing says the “Spring-action design gently opens blades after each cut to reduce hand strain”, and that the extended lower blade “helps lift fabric for precise cuts”. At 10.5 in overall it is the longest pair here; that may mean more fabric per cut on long, straight seam allowances, but Fiskars does not publish the blade length. One owner, in a PatternReview thread dated 2021, reported that a pair of Fiskars Easy Action shears “were just okay at first but now they just mangle the fabric” within six months; the post does not say which size.
Specs (linked: 10.5 in, model 191000-1001)
- Length: 10.5 in overall
- Blade: stainless steel, brushed (listing)
- Handle: spring action
- Weight: 6.4 oz (listing)
Pros
- Spring action opens the blades after every cut
- Longest pair here, at 10.5 in overall
- Extended lower blade lifts fabric for the cut (listing)
Cons
- One owner reported it mangling fabric within six months
- A long pair may be awkward on tight curves
- Spring mechanism adds a part that plain shears do not have
Who should buy it
Sewists who find ordinary shears tiring to reopen and mostly pink long, straight seams.
Westcott Titanium Bonded Pinking Shears, 9.5 in, Best Budget
Crafters and occasional sewists who pink felt, cotton and light wovens and want the lowest cost and a light pair.
$16.15 from AmazonAs of Nov 11, 08:39 UTCVerdict
At 4.8 oz, the lightest of the pairs here with a published weight, with titanium-bonded blades for occasional and craft use.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Westcott listing (model 00786).
Westcott’s pinking shears weigh 4.8 oz by the listing, the lowest of the four weights published for the picks in this guide. The titanium bonding is Westcott’s answer to dulling: the maker claims the coating is “3X harder than untreated stainless steel”, which it does not tie to a published test. Westcott calls them medium-duty shears for “layers of fabric, woven cloth and felt”, and describes the soft, contoured handles as made “for right and left handed cutting”.
Specs (linked: 9.5 in, model 00786)
- Length: 9.5 in overall
- Blade: titanium-bonded stainless steel
- Handle: soft, contoured, bent; right- and left-handed cutting (maker)
- Weight: 4.8 oz (listing)
Pros
- Lightest of the pairs here with a published weight, at 4.8 oz
- Titanium-bonded blades, which the maker says resist dulling
- Soft handles the maker describes for both hands
Cons
- Medium-duty by Westcott’s own description
- Hardness claim comes from the maker, not a test
- No independent review found for this pair
Who should buy it
Crafters and occasional sewists who pink felt, cotton and light wovens and want the lowest cost and a light pair.
Singer ProSeries Pinking Shears, 9 in, Best for Crisp Cotton
Sewists who mostly pink cotton and other crisp wovens and want a fine, even edge at a low price.
$16.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 11, 08:39 UTCVerdict
The one pick here with a published tooth size: 5 mm teeth, for cotton and other crisp fabrics.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Singer listing (model 00170).
Singer’s ProSeries pinking shears are the only pick in this guide whose listing states a tooth size: 5 mm sawtooth blades. Singer says they are “Designed for cutting cotton and other crisp fabrics” and handle “both lightweight and heavyweight materials as well as paper”, and it warns they are “not suitable for non-woven fabrics like knit jersey or sweater knit”. ARTnews notes, of a different 5 mm pair, that “Small teeth work best with lightweight fabric”, so by that rule of thumb these may suit light and medium wovens best.
Specs (linked: 9 in, model 00170)
- Length: 9 in overall
- Blade: stainless steel, 5 mm sawtooth
- Handle: soft TPR grip
- Weight: 5.76 oz (listing)
Pros
- The only pick here with a published tooth size (5 mm)
- Singer rates it for cotton and other crisp fabrics, light to heavy
- Cushioned handle at a budget price
Cons
- Not for knits, by Singer’s own warning
- Small teeth may be less suited to thick wovens, by ARTnews’s rule of thumb
- No independent review found for this pair
Who should buy it
Sewists who mostly pink cotton and other crisp wovens and want a fine, even edge at a low price.
Mundial Classic Forged Pinking Shears, 7.5 in, Best Forged Alternative
Tailors and garment sewists who want a forged pair to keep for years and cut layered or wool cloth.
$49.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 11, 08:39 UTCVerdict
Hot-drop forged carbon steel, a forged alternative to the Gingher that its listing rates for wool and layers.
Evidence: Independently reviewed, same series. ARTnews Recommends: Classic Forged pinking shears, size not stated.
Mundial makes this pair with carbon-steel blades that are hot-drop forged “for superior strength and precision” (Mundial), with a nickel-plated finish. ARTnews picked the Classic Forged line for its “comfortable heft”, describing the shears as ergonomically balanced and “built for years of use”, without naming the size it covered. The Amazon listing says it “Works on cotton, wool, synthetics, and multiple fabric layers”. It gives 7.36 oz; Gingher publishes no weight to compare. The listing is inconsistent about the handle: it gives the handle material as steel but also describes “Comfort Grip” handles, and Mundial’s page only calls the design ergonomic.
Specs (linked: 7.5 in, 462-7)
- Length: 7.5 in overall
- Blade: carbon steel, hot-drop forged (maker); high-carbon, nickel-plated (listing)
- Handle: steel by the listing’s material line; “comfort grip” in its title
- Weight: 7.36 oz (listing)
Pros
- Hot-drop forged carbon steel, “built for years of use” per ARTnews
- Listing rates it for wool and multiple fabric layers
- Sold directly by Mundial’s Amazon storefront
Cons
- Handle details conflict on the listing
- At 7.36 oz, may feel heavy over long sessions
- Low stock on Amazon when we checked
Who should buy it
Tailors and garment sewists who want a forged pair to keep for years and cut layered or wool cloth.
Mundial Cushion Soft Pinking Shears, 8.5 in, Best Ambidextrous
Left-handed sewists, or anyone who shares a pair, who wants cushioned handles at a mid-range price.
$26.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 11, 08:39 UTCVerdict
Cushioned, enlarged finger bows and an ambidextrous design, so left-handed sewists can use them too.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Mundial product page (BP1865-1).
Mundial’s Cushion Soft pinking shears have enlarged finger bows with cushioned inserts and an ambidextrous design that Mundial says suits right- and left-handed users (Mundial). Mundial publishes no weight, and the Amazon figure looks like a shipping weight, so we leave it out.
Specs (linked: 8.5 in, BP1865-1)
- Length: 8.5 in overall
- Blade: stainless steel
- Handle: polypropylene with cushioned inserts, ambidextrous (maker)
- Weight: not published
Pros
- Ambidextrous design for left-handed sewists (maker)
- Enlarged, cushioned finger bows for comfort
- Sold directly by Mundial’s Amazon storefront
Cons
- No published weight or tooth size
- Low stock on Amazon when we checked
- Stainless blades, not the forged steel of Mundial’s classic line
- No independent review found for this pair
Who should buy it
Left-handed sewists, or anyone who shares a pair, who wants cushioned handles at a mid-range price.
How to Choose Pinking Shears for Your Fabric
Match the shears to the fabric
Pinking is for woven fabric, not knits. Most makers do not publish tooth size, but ARTnews notes that small teeth (around 5 mm) work best with lightweight fabric. For quilting cotton and everyday wovens, most pairs here fit; each review notes its limits. For wool or several layers, look for a maker who rates the pair for it, as Mundial does for its Classic Forged; Gingher’s retailers advise one layer at a time.
Pick a handle for your hands
Hard plastic is light and cheap; soft-grip and cushioned handles reduce pressure points; a spring action reopens the blades for you. Steel handles, as on the Gingher, have no cushioning, and owners note their weight. If you are left-handed, choose a pair the maker describes as for right- and left-handed use, such as the Mundial Cushion Soft or the Westcott.
Pinking shears, a serger or a rotary pinking blade
Pinking reduces fraying on woven fabric but does not stop it the way a serged or bound edge does. A rotary cutter with a pinking blade pinks long straight edges faster and uses the same cutting mat you may already own, while shears handle curves and clipping better. For more cutting tools, see the Cutting Tools & Mats hub and our guide to rotary cutter blades for fabric.
Care and sharpening
Keep pinking shears for fabric only, wipe lint from the teeth, and store them closed. Owners on r/sewing report that local scissor sharpeners and sewing machine dealers can sharpen pinking shears, and ARTnews wrote in 2021 that Gingher would sharpen its shears for a small fee; check with Gingher for current terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are the best pinking shears for fabric?
For most home sewists, the Fiskars 8 in Pinking Shears: light, widely sold and reported by owners to last for years. If you want plated steel and do not mind the weight, the Gingher 7.5 in pair is the premium choice.
Q. Is Gingher better than Fiskars for pinking shears?
Gingher’s pinking shears are heavier and built from plated steel; Fiskars are lighter and cost less. Two r/sewing owners who have both prefer the Gingher, while others warn about its weight, so the better pair depends on your hands and how much you cut.
Q. Does cutting fabric with pinking shears stop fraying?
It reduces fraying rather than stopping it. Suzy Quilts puts it as pinking “prevents raw seams from fraying too much”. For loosely woven fabric or seams that will be washed often, a serged, zigzagged or bound edge holds up better.
The bottom line
Final Verdict
Start with the Fiskars 8 in Pinking Shears (check price) if you want one dependable, light pair for everyday seams. Choose the Gingher 7.5 in Pinking Shears (check price) for plated steel to keep for years, or the Mundial Classic Forged Pinking Shears (check price) if you cut wool or layers. If comfort matters most, the Fiskars SoftGrip Pinking Shears (check price) add cushioning, the Fiskars Easy Action Pinking Shears (check price) add a spring, and the Mundial Cushion Soft Pinking Shears (check price) suit left-handed sewists.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
