Fly fishing can be quite intense and when you’ve made the effort to make as well as tie a fly, it would make the process that more painful if the scissors you use trim the fly do so sloppily. So, here is a guide on how you can choose the best fly tying scissors as well as reviews on 5 of the best ones available!
All You Need to Know Before Picking Up a Pair of Fly Tying Scissors
It may seem easy to just pick up a small shear and use it as a fly tying scissor but there’s actually a few things you need to know before picking one up.
The Type of Scissors
Below are all the types of scissors you can find at the market.
Micro-Tip Scissors
Made for trimming delicate flies, micro-tip scissors are one of the best shears for adjusting small or light flies like nymphs and dry flies. They allow precise cutting of fine or natural materials and work best for fishermen with small hands or a perfectionist mindset.
Hair Scissors
Sculpted with long blades, hair scissors are (unlike their name) usually heavier than most fly tying scissors and this is what makes them able to cut through thick threads, wool-like hair, feathers, and other materials. They are quite sharp and not generally recommended for novices.
Arrow Scissors
Designed with short blades, arrow scissors are used for detailing cuts and angles on small and light flies like nymphs. They are best used on natural materials and some good-quality ones can even trim synthetic materials. Arrow scissors can be handled by larger hands as well for small, precise cuts.
Open-loop Scissors
Named so for the adjustable finger loops, open-loop scissors allow fishermen to customize the size and tension of the loop of the scissors so they can better handle the shears and cut fine details easily. They’re also quite versatile because small-hand as well as large-hand fishermen can use it.
Razor Scissors
Characterized by the thin blade, razor scissors are undoubtedly the sharpest kind of fly tying scissors. They are to be used carefully and usually novices only use it for quick detailed cuts. Razor scissors are fast and cut through natural and synthetic materials like butter.
All-Purpose Scissors
As indicated in the name, all-purpose scissors are a one-for-all type of fly tying scissors. They are used to cut angles on all sizes of flies and all types of natural and synthetic materials. Such scissors are best for beginners at fly fishing as well as expert fishermen for their incredible durability, versatility, and easy portability.
The Different Materials
Fly tying scissors are made of many different materials and most of them are a variation of stainless steel while others are made of tungsten carbide. It’s important to know the pair of shears you pick – where stainless steel is durable, tungsten carbide is tough. The price point varies as well.
Length and Type of Blade
In terms of length, you can find short blades that are used for thread-cutting and longer blades used for precise details and cutting thicker material. Where the type of blade is concerned, there are two that you should know. One is the serrated kind used for cutting through coarse threads and the other is the non-serrated kind used for clean trimming.
What to Look for in a Pair of Fly Tying Scissors
Now that you’ve a solid idea on all the types of fly tying scissors you can find at the market, here’s how you can choose one that serves you best.
Color
Looks do matter when it comes to picking up a pair of fly tying scissors because dull-looking or easily-camouflaged scissors can get lost in the box. For a streamlined process, make sure the scissors you pick are brightly colored, have shiny, reflective blades, and are easy to grip.
Construction
You can usually find fly tying scissors made of tungsten carbide or stainless steel but there are some that are made of soft blades to cut thin hair-like wire and threads. Steel scissors are durable and do not need to be sharpened as much whereas soft blades get dull quickly.
Blade Type
Choosing between a serrated and a non-serrated blade comes down to your preference and skills. If you need a quick and easy way to cut details on flies, then serrated blades are the best pick for you. Non-serrated blades need to be sharpened often and are used to trim thin threads.
Blade Length
The length of the blade affects the way you’re able to cut details and get perfect edges on flies. Where shorter blades are lighter, they aren’t able to cut through thick threads, whereas a longer blade is heavier and gives a neater cut. Small-hand anglers and novices are generally recommended to pick a 3″ to 5″ blade.
Blade Width
Blade width refers to how fine or wide the fly tying scissors are and choosing the correct kind depends on what you’re cutting. If you’re regularly tying up streamers, marabou feathers, and other bigger flies then a wide blade is best. However, for smaller and lighter flies like dry flies, get a fine blade. It’ll cut through them like butter and can even work with bigger flies.
Tension Resistance
Expert fly fishers make quick work of cutting and tying up flies so there are high chances they’ll be accidentally cutting through extra material. To add a bit of resistance to the fly tying scissors, tension adjustment knobs are added and for novice anglers, there are scissors that have the tension already set.
Reviews of the 5 Best Fly Tying Scissors
There are actually tons of fly tying scissors available at the market but which of them are the best ones? We’ve reviewed below the top five fly tying scissors that experts in fly fishing recommend, complete with pros and cons.
1. Cuda 3″ Titanium-Bonded Fishing Scissors
Constructed with high-quality titanium-bonded stainless steel, these Cuda fly tying scissors offer incredible durability and cut through thick mono and braided lines neatly and effortlessly.
The handle on the 3″ fishing scissors is wide and though it may take some getting used to for new fly fishers, the grip is comfortable and anti-slip.
Also, the Cuda scissors are resistant to rust and have dual micro-serrations which allow anglers to cut details and finely trim their flies with ease. Not to mention, they last quite some time – a benefit of the titanium-bonded stainless steel construction.
Features:
- Titanium-bonded stainless steel construction
- 3″ blade
- Corrosion-resistant
- Dual side micro-serrations
- Oversized comfort grip
Pros
- High-quality construction, cuts through strong firewire and monolines smoothly
- Comfortable wide handle, easy to grip for small and large hands
Cons
- The handles may feel stiff in the beginning
2. Kershaw Skeeter 3 Precision Fine Tip Scissors
Kershaw Skeeter 3 scissors feature the company’s exclusive composite blade technology and integrate not one but two types of steels from blade to spine.
The fine-tip blades are made of stainless steel which offers smooth edge retention while the handle and spine are constructed using alloy steel which gives it strength.
Also, one of the blades is serrated which prevents feathers and filament from sliding on the table when cutting and tying up flies.
The comfort of grip is enhanced by the overmolding at the finger holes which cuts corners and allows small and large hands to fit in easily.
Features:
- Alloy Steel scissor construction
- Stainless steel blade
- One-blade micro-serrations
- Overmolded finger holes
- 1.25″ blade
Pros
- Precise control, cuts through monofilaments and thick threads neatly
- Versatile, can be used for fly tying, fishing, as well as light grooming
- Comfortable grip, the handle is blunt, has no corners and fits thick fingers as well
Cons
- The blade may be too small to cut braided lines
3. SAMSFX Heavy-Duty Anti-Slip Fishing Scissors
SAMSFX has brought out a heavy-duty pair of scissors that feature a hard, ergonomic plastic construction on the spine and handles to enhance comfort and a stainless steel blade to increase durability and razor-sharp cutting.
Also, the blades are micro-serrated which means the filament or the fly won’t slide on the table and all details will be cut neatly.
The SAMSFX fly tying scissors come with a built-in screw rotation system which allows left-hand and right-hand anglers to use them easily.
To add convenience, the long-lasting fishing scissors can be covered by a provided sheath to protect the fingers from accidentally grazing the blade and allow easy access when getting out the fly-tying gear.
Features:
- Plastic constructed spine
- Stainless steel blade
- Ambidextrous design
- Anti-skid sawtooth design
- Wide grip
Pros
- Can be used by both right-hand and left-hand fly fishers
- Stainless steel blade lasts a long time
- Does not slide on the table when tying up thread and filament
- Comes with a hard, protective sheath to cover the blades when not in use
Cons
- May not cut braided line neatly
4. Westcott Titanium-Bonded Fine Cut Scissors
Sculpted using industrial-level titanium-bonded stainless steel, the Westcott fine cut fly tying scissors offer lightweight durability and cut through mono and braided lines with ease.
The finger holes on the 2.5″ scissors are contoured to provide enhanced comfort while cutting details and do not require extra effort to trim threads while making flies. This also reduces hand fatigue.
Also, these scissors by Westcott last quite some time and, given their small size, can be used on fine flies like dry flies during winter fly fishing.
Features:
- Patented titanium-bonded stainless steel blade
- Soft-grip, contoured handle
- Lightweight
- Resistant to rust
Pros
- Long-lasting blade, the scissors can withstand water and thick thread cutting for multiple seasons
- Functional grip, the contoured handles reduce wrist and finger fatigue
- Lightweight but durable, cuts through braided line with ease
Cons
- Quite small in size, only made for detailed cuts
5. Dr. Slick Tungsten Carbide Scissors
Sworn to be the best available pair of fly tying scissors by expert anglers, the Dr. Slick shears are a one-in-all. They are constructed using tungsten carbide which is 7x tougher than stainless steel and hence lasts for multiple seasons.
The blade is razor-sharp and fine-tipped which allows it to cut natural as well as synthetic materials with ease. Also, the grip is ergonomic which means it does not tire out the hand and adjusts to small-hand and large-hand anglers.
The non-serrated blade allows fly tyers to trim mono and non-braided thread smoothly, cut neat edges, and use it for multi-purposes.
Features:
- Tungsten Carbide scissors
- Stainless steel blade
- Non-serrated blade
- Straight, fine tip
- Available in three sizes
Pros
- Tough construction, the tungsten carbide scissors hold an edge longer than most fly tying scissors
- Fine tip, cuts details and edges of light and small flies easily
- Versatile, can be used to cut mono and braided filament
Cons
- The non-serrated blade may need to be sharpened often
Frequently Asked Questions:
What are the best scissors for fly tying?
The best performing fly tying scissors are hands-down the Dr. Slick Tungsten Carbide scissors for their fine tip, minute adjustment allowance, as well as their ability to trim at precise angles. The tungsten carbide makes it durable, long-lasting, and exceptionally sharp. Not to mention, they are quite comfortable to handle.
Can you sharpen fly tying scissors?
Yes but before you get to sharpening your fly tying scissors, make sure they are the non-serrated kind. Serrated fly tying scissors, if sharpened, will lose their serrations and become dull.
Final Thoughts
Having a pair of fly tying scissors can make or break the fly you create so make sure to pick a good-quality pair that fits the type of fishing you’re doing. After going through this guide, we’re sure you have a clearer idea on what to look for, everything to keep in mind, and a know-how of the best fly tying scissors available – one fly line away from success.
