scissors and reed cuts

[GMC]

Does anyone have a good pair of scissors they would recommend for cutting the reed? or have any advice how to make better cuts? I just got started and I bought a little pair of scissors from the sewing section in hobby lobby. i thought cutting the reed would be the easiest part of the process but I am finding it to be the most difficult. I've been pretty consistent in getting the call made, but I have yet to make a cut that resembled what I am used to buying and have called on in the past. any advice or links would be greatly appreciated. thanks.

[GMC]

kind of answering my own question here but I found the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKDJs4UXZx8&feature=youtu.be. about 4 and a half minutes in he explains how he cuts the call. It may be that my blades on the scissors are too skinny? My "V cuts" dont have that much width in the cuts, they are much skinnier. I will try a wider blade. any advice on how to improve would still be very much appreciated.

[Gooserbat]

Sharp scissors.  I've cut thousands of calls and the only thing I can tell you is sharp scissors and don't leave a call for an extended period of time because the latex will take a set and not open up like a fresh cut call. 

[bowhunter2k9]

kind of answering my own question here but I found the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKDJs4UXZx8&feature=youtu.be. about 4 and a half minutes in he explains how he cuts the call. It may be that my blades on the scissors are too skinny? My "V cuts" dont have that much width in the cuts, they are much skinnier. I will try a wider blade. any advice on how to improve would still be very much appreciated.

don't need a wider blade, the blade widtch doesn't change the cut, the cut width is only changed by how much stretch of the latex.

[Lonehowl]

After using many different ones over the years, including high priced fly tying scissors, I found that most just dont cut it ..literally. I settled on the small Fiskars. Sharp as heck and will slice latex, proph and everything else cleanly and in one cut. I also tack my latex together with them. They are  generally available at Walmart in the sewing section, Amazon etc. They are called detail scissors. Like 10 bucks. The points are sharp as heck so you have to be careful there, poking a finger or when slipping under the top reed, but I wont use anything else at this point.
Mark

[GobbleNut]

Nothing new to add except that you don't have to have the most expensive scissors to make the cuts.  Sharp pointed scissors are pretty important for getting between the reeds, but other than that, I have used some of the cheapest scissors you can buy and have been able to make the reed cuts. 

Part of the problem you are having may be the result of not putting the proper tension on the scissor blades themselves.  There is a little bit of an art involved in holding scissors properly so that the blades are contacting each other correctly.  I know that sounds counter-intuitive, but it is a possibility. Scissors I use with my dominant hand that work great, I can't make a cut with using my off hand.  Kinda weird, but a reality....

[perrytrails]

These are my favorite, 2.5 inches. Stay sharp. Man size grip but small blades. Worth a try for the price.
$5.24

[gergg]

These are my favorite, 2.5 inches. Stay sharp. Man size grip but small blades. Worth a try for the price.
$5.24

Ah, I bet these are good, I have other Wescott scissors that are great.

[randytanner]

I'd recommend two scissors--one to trim the latex around the frame (fiskars) and one to make the cuts (Dr. Slicks Razor).  The Dr. Slicks are precise and make detailed cuts pretty well. The pointed ends on the Dr. Slicks make it easy to get between the reeds.

[perrytrails]

I'd recommend two scissors--one to trim the latex around the frame (fiskars) and one to make the cuts (Dr. Slicks Razor).  The Dr. Slicks are precise and make detailed cuts pretty well. The pointed ends on the Dr. Slicks make it easy to get between the reeds.

That's a good idea Randy, nicking the frame is what ruins them.

[maxbo36]

I use Dr. Slick Micro tip for the cuts in the calls and Dr. Slick Hair scissor for trimming.  They are a bit expensive and to be honest some last me for thousands of calls and some just a few hundred but all and all the best I have found.

[Shady valley birds]

kind of answering my own question here but I found the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKDJs4UXZx8&feature=youtu.be. about 4 and a half minutes in he explains how he cuts the call. It may be that my blades on the scissors are too skinny? My "V cuts" dont have that much width in the cuts, they are much skinnier. I will try a wider blade. any advice on how to improve would still be very much appreciated.

don't need a wider blade, the blade widtch doesn't change the cut, the cut width is only changed by how much stretch of the latex.

so a tighter stretch will result in a wider cut or the other way around?

[bowhunter2k9]

kind of answering my own question here but I found the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKDJs4UXZx8&feature=youtu.be. about 4 and a half minutes in he explains how he cuts the call. It may be that my blades on the scissors are too skinny? My "V cuts" dont have that much width in the cuts, they are much skinnier. I will try a wider blade. any advice on how to improve would still be very much appreciated.

don't need a wider blade, the blade widtch doesn't change the cut, the cut width is only changed by how much stretch of the latex.

so a tighter stretch will result in a wider cut or the other way around?

Yes tighter stretch will separate more when cut

[Turkeyjak]

Dr.Slick & stretch tight. All you need.

[Shady valley birds]

Good deal thanks guys