I prefer using Fireline for beadwork as this braided fishing line adds some support to finished work. But I have always struggled with cutting it. You too, huh? I never get a clean cut and messy end makes it difficult to thread it through beading needles.
Fireline is thin and doesn't stretch. Yet it is strong and durable - the same reasons why anglers and beaders alike appreciate superlines like Fireline. Fireline knots easily - at least the knots we use to finish our work. But we beaders could not care less if Fireline floats, which it does!
All this strength means Fireline is hard to cut. Forget using old scissors. And even sharp new scissors don't do a good job as I found out in this little experiment.
I test cut 6 lb Fireline with a newpair of craft scissors against a pair of scissors designed for cutting superlines. I bought the latter at a local discount store.
You can get different brands like this one either online or from a fishing store near you. I thought the Boomerang fishing line snip is great because the short blades make this unit particularly compact and portable.
Both the scissors I tested effortlessly cut the Fireline :
But you can carefully observe from the close up that the craft scissors left a wispy bit of thread poking out (left)
I have dedicated the craft scissors for other purposes as continuing to use it on Fireline is going to blunt it quickly. I now use the braid scissors exclusively for Fireline.
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Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
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I have some Xuron shears for Fireline and they work but they keep sticking about the fulcrum and I'm tired of oiling them. May have to try one of these alternatives.
ReplyDeleteXuron shears are fantastic for wire and personally I would never use them for Fireline.
DeleteI, too, use Fireline for beading. I use a pair of kids Fiskars scissors, about $1, I use them until they wear out, just for Fireline. I also hold the spool and the thread taut for the best cutting result. even the tension of the spool dangling is enough.
ReplyDeleteby the way, i just bought a spool of 300 yards, 6 lb, at walmart.com for $20.... the cheapest i've found. a spool of 300 yards last me 4-5 months.
Yup. Dedicating scissors for Fireline is a good idea. Thanks for the tip on thread tension.
ReplyDeleteI get mine from a local fishing store who "cuts" (pun intended) beaders a great deal. Kingsway Sports in Guelph. $9 (CAD12) per 100 m (109 yd). So your Walmart deal is amazing.
Thanks for this Pearl. Since I've started making wrap bracelets I go through a lot of Fireline. I usually cut it with a blade. If I want to carry my work from my studio to in front of the tv I have to be careful I don't drop that blade and break it.
ReplyDeleteDid you prefer the Logic Lures or the Boomerang? I need a new cutting tool for Fireline.
ReplyDeleteI’ve not tried the Boomerang scissors. I suspect any scissors designed for fishing lines such as Fireline will do better than ordinary scissors.
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