Cutting burlap for garden use
October 29, 2019 6:25 AM Subscribe
We wrap our box woods with burlap each winter. In the past, we’ve used just office scissors, which are no match for the burlap and become very dull. What do professional gardeners use to cut burlap? Bypass shears? Knives? Some sort of utility scissor? Cost is no object, so give me something that will last!
The scissors we’ve been using don’t separate for easy sharpening, though I’m sure I could do it. But there has to be a better way than using paper scissors on burlap!
The scissors we’ve been using don’t separate for easy sharpening, though I’m sure I could do it. But there has to be a better way than using paper scissors on burlap!
Big, heavy fabric scissors are probably the best way to go; you'll still need to sharpen them occasionally, but the quality is usually so far above that of office scissors that they'll whizz through burlap. Half-decent brands aren't particularly expensive.
posted by pipeski at 6:34 AM on October 29, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by pipeski at 6:34 AM on October 29, 2019 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks so far! I should add if you have a particular maker you can vouch for, I’d appreciate it. I had not considered fabric scissors, and don’t know what’s good!
posted by Admiral Haddock at 6:42 AM on October 29, 2019
posted by Admiral Haddock at 6:42 AM on October 29, 2019
I normally use hand sheep shears like these from Barnel International - look for B3333 on the page . In my country I would expect to spend US$40 but it seems this tool is avail. stateside for ~$20ish.
NZ suppliers sell the brand Barnell international among others.
They are absolutely magic for slicing thru thick wool\felt - I have cut 100's of metres in a morning.
posted by unearthed at 7:10 AM on October 29, 2019 [1 favorite]
NZ suppliers sell the brand Barnell international among others.
They are absolutely magic for slicing thru thick wool\felt - I have cut 100's of metres in a morning.
posted by unearthed at 7:10 AM on October 29, 2019 [1 favorite]
Gingher and Fiskars are both good brands for scissors, if you go down that route.
posted by pipeski at 7:17 AM on October 29, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by pipeski at 7:17 AM on October 29, 2019 [1 favorite]
I can't speak to burlap but I've done denim with my Gingher fabric scissors and they were great.
posted by brilliantine at 7:18 AM on October 29, 2019
posted by brilliantine at 7:18 AM on October 29, 2019
A break-off-blade Olfa would be my go to. Buy a pack of the replacement blades too. Be careful! These are scary sharp!
I would lay the burlap out on the yard, and slice through the burlap into the grass. When the blade gets dull snap the dull bit off. Put your snapped off blade pieces in a sharps container.
posted by gregr at 7:27 AM on October 29, 2019 [3 favorites]
I would lay the burlap out on the yard, and slice through the burlap into the grass. When the blade gets dull snap the dull bit off. Put your snapped off blade pieces in a sharps container.
posted by gregr at 7:27 AM on October 29, 2019 [3 favorites]
I work in a coffee roastery, and almost all the coffee comes in burlap bags (and subsequently, use them in laughable amounts at home); I personally just use a boxcutter/utility knife, but I have known folks who use and prefer a linoleum knife.
Sharpness matters. Even a slightly dull utility knife or otherwise will make for a pain in the ass cutting burlap.
posted by furnace.heart at 7:30 AM on October 29, 2019
Sharpness matters. Even a slightly dull utility knife or otherwise will make for a pain in the ass cutting burlap.
posted by furnace.heart at 7:30 AM on October 29, 2019
Yeah you want a utility knife/box cutter with cheap replaceable blades. That’s what every nursery uses.
posted by SaltySalticid at 7:38 AM on October 29, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by SaltySalticid at 7:38 AM on October 29, 2019 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks everyone—I’ve ordered a pair of the Gingher scissors and a pair of the penny cutters. Hopefully that will cover our scissor needs. I have a number of utility knives that we’ll try as well—but scissors are more my wife’s style. I will update after the weekend!
posted by Admiral Haddock at 11:58 AM on October 29, 2019
posted by Admiral Haddock at 11:58 AM on October 29, 2019
Omg, professional gardeners are not using Gingher sewing shears to cut landscape-scale quantities of industrial grade burlap. It's making my thimbles hurt thinking about how quickly that will dull nice fabric scissors. I'd go with a utility knife, either the break-off kind or get a 100-pack of replacement blades so you always have a sharp edge.
On preview, I see you've already ordered the Ginghers. They're good scissors but really best for precision. I also find them kinda heavy for extended use. I'd still strongly suggest trying out some utility shears or those carpet scissors instead.
posted by yeahlikethat at 12:19 PM on October 29, 2019 [1 favorite]
On preview, I see you've already ordered the Ginghers. They're good scissors but really best for precision. I also find them kinda heavy for extended use. I'd still strongly suggest trying out some utility shears or those carpet scissors instead.
posted by yeahlikethat at 12:19 PM on October 29, 2019 [1 favorite]
I came to say carpet scissors. And so I say, "Carpet scissors!"
posted by Glomar response at 1:56 PM on October 29, 2019
posted by Glomar response at 1:56 PM on October 29, 2019
I suggest looking for shop shears. If you are near a Home Depot they carry Wiss Shears for pretty low prices. I find those shears tend to have thicker blades and hold up when slicing through thick materials. they look like regular scissors but when you pick them up you notice they are twice as thick.
Sometimes they are on sale for $6 or so in stores.
With shears you can always adjust the angle of cut to get to a sharp part of the blade, but if you bend the blades or loosen the pivot so there is a gap between the blades, no amount of sharpening will help.
For that reason I’d be wary of fabric scissors as one bend and they are done for.
Another vote for the sheep shears as they do not have a rivet that can come loose.
posted by sol at 2:29 PM on October 29, 2019
Sometimes they are on sale for $6 or so in stores.
With shears you can always adjust the angle of cut to get to a sharp part of the blade, but if you bend the blades or loosen the pivot so there is a gap between the blades, no amount of sharpening will help.
For that reason I’d be wary of fabric scissors as one bend and they are done for.
Another vote for the sheep shears as they do not have a rivet that can come loose.
posted by sol at 2:29 PM on October 29, 2019
My hand is cramping just thinking about using shears or scissors. Several box cutters and lots of replacement blades. A dull knife is a deadly knife -- replace often as needed.
Cut onto a large piece of wood. If you can put some tension on the pieces of burlap to separate them as you go, even better. Watch out of fingers and knees.
posted by TrishaU at 4:30 PM on October 29, 2019 [1 favorite]
Cut onto a large piece of wood. If you can put some tension on the pieces of burlap to separate them as you go, even better. Watch out of fingers and knees.
posted by TrishaU at 4:30 PM on October 29, 2019 [1 favorite]
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posted by Meatbomb at 6:34 AM on October 29, 2019