August 19, 2011

FISKARS... WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU!?!?!?!

Fiskars scissors have always been my favorite for student use (and personal use).  However, a couple years ago I purchased a class set of scissors & it has changed my perspective of the brand.  Handles have broken off, blades seem bent & dulled on some, screws have come out, the handles are not comfortable & seem small for many of my students(and remember..I teach K-4..the little ones!).  It really makes me said when a company has a good product...but then to save money they "change" some things to save money.  Sometimes saving money is not the most important thing.  I would pay extra for a product that would last me years and years.  And I had nothing but Fiskars for 8 yrs (they started to rust so that is why I bought new)...and they were wonderful.  Now..after only a couple years...I'm ready to pitch these.  BOOOOOO!!!  Quality still matters to this art teacher.  I will save my money to buy good things for my students....they are worth it!

15 comments:

  1. I completely agree. Very disappointing. So annoying too when you get a disappointing order in!
    I've now been using the Sax School Smart scissors from School Specialty/Sax with the duo color rubbery grip handle.

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  2. I found the same to be true with my fiskers sewing scissors I got last year. I had been use the same pair I got when I was 12(!) till they got too nicked to be good on fabric anymore. My new pair is getting dull already. I wonder if they changed the material in the blades of the scissors....

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  3. 100% in agreement with that brand in my opinion too. I've thrown the majority of that style out.

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  4. I bought the cheap brand from Walmart this year, and they have been sooooo much better than the Fiskars I bought last year!

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  5. I bought bigger "adult" scissors at the dollar tree (I have fifth graders) and they work great. Plus I don't hear any complaints about how small they are!

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  6. I hear that these are the best from my fellow art teachers, but be warned they are quite sharp. Maybe too sharp for little hands.

    http://www.dickblick.com/products/armada-lollypop-scissors/

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  7. I agree with you about product changes. The PRANG watercolors have also changed in recent years, with them making the palette one piece so that used ovals can't be replaced. Also, the brushes are cheaper and fall apart almost immediately. Dixon-Ticonderoga is now out-sourcing the paints. Another BOO-OOO-OOO!!!
    Cynthia S.

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  8. I thought that too about the Fiskars I bought for my boys and now I am buying new ones every year! It is truly annoying when I am using the same two pairs of Fiskars (small spring loaded snips and large spring loaded look like hedge cutters) I bought fall of 1997!! I actually had a pair break at the hinge when they fell off the kitchen table while homework was being done.

    Oh and by the way in case any of you were not aware of a quick scissor sharpening trick...cut through several layers of tin foil and if they are really nicked you can cut through some fine grit sandpaper. These also work with paper punches like for scrapbooking.

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  9. Amen, my brother!!! This was the first year in about 20 that I ordered something other than Fiskars. Some of my ancient Fiskars I still have around. Many that I bought last year didn't even last that one year. Disappointing. jan

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  10. I ordered a classroom set of 7" student Fiskers last year, because my older students complained about the little 5" scissors. Out of the 30 4 snapped apart. What you need to know (or remember) is that Fiskars have life time warranties. I called their 1-800 number talked to customer service who had me take a pix of my 4 broken pair of scissor and e-mail it to them. They sent me back 4 new pair of scissors, no questions asked. As long as they will back the product, I will use them. My suggestion is to photo the scissors with a ruler in the pix so they know what size you have. Give them a call and see what happens.

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  11. for a small size scissor like you have in your pic, i can highly recommend the Snippy brand. i have a set that have been around for years. they will even cut felt and fabric, as long as you don't let them get too gluey from collages and the like. the kids think they are cool because they have a tiny ruler on the blade. the finger holes are on the small side so i would definitely have some larger ones available for bigger kids, but even i use the snippys all the time. (available thru Blick)

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  12. I bought the 7" scissors from nasco last year for my middle school kids and they have proven to be great, but now I need new small scissors and I am not sure what to buy from your comments. I typically order from Nasco. Any suggestions?

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  13. All sad but true....the domino effect of a disaster for the U.S. economy.I have dealt with tempera that separates, scissors that break apart, pencils that the graphite falls out of the tip,,,,,when does it end?

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  14. Me too!!! So disappointed!
    Now I scour estate and yard sales for all-metal scissors and get them sharpened. I got a whole drawer full of scissors for a buck and it cost $15 to have them sharpened, but they're NICE! Of course, I teach high school, so long, metal, pointy scissors are OK.

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  15. Fiskars are now cheap breakable scissors, I too had a class set that I had bought about 8 years ago, when to replace them and lost twelve pairs in one year, I also went to the Sax brand

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