ERNEST WRIGHT, AT YOUR SERVICE

We share a great deal about our work here, but you may still have a question.

Below you will find answers to some of the most common ones. If not, feel free to contact us.

We are always happy to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes handmade scissors different from factory-made scissors?

Handmade scissors are made and adjusted individually. No two forged blanks are exactly the same, so a skilled maker shapes, grinds and assembles each pair by hand until it performs as it should.

This method allows the use of high-carbon steel and drop-forged blanks. These materials are known for their strength, edge retention and long-term performance.

Factory-made scissors are designed for speed and uniformity. Blades are often stamped from sheet steel to create identical parts that can be assembled quickly. This makes large-scale production possible, but can involve compromises in material and structure, which may affect durability, edge life and cutting performance.

At Ernest Wright in Sheffield we continue to make handmade scissors using traditional methods, one pair at a time.

How long do high-quality scissors last?

High-quality scissors are designed to last for many years and often for decades.

The lifespan depends on the material, how the scissors are used and how they are maintained. Carbon steel scissors offer excellent edge retention, but require care as they can rust if not properly maintained.

Using scissors for their intended purpose helps preserve the cutting edge. Cutting inappropriate materials can shorten the life of the blades.

At Ernest Wright in Sheffield we aim to make scissors that last a lifetime. With proper care, a well-made pair of handmade scissors can be maintained, repaired and passed on for generations.

Where we make it

All our scissors and shears are made at Kutrite Works, 58 Broad Lane, our workshop in the centre of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, in the historic Hollis Croft area.

This is where traditional skills and heritage tools come together in the making of every pair. Each stage of the process takes place here, from shaping and grinding to final assembly and finishing.

We occasionally offer visits by appointment. For more information, please see Visiting our workshop

Why are Sheffield scissors famous?

For more than three hundred years Sheffield has been known for producing some of the finest cutlery and edge tools in the world. In the language of Sheffield, scissors and shears have always been part of the cutlery trade.

The city grew around a remarkable network of specialist craftspeople, known locally as “little mesters”. Each maker focused on a particular skill — forging steel, grinding blades, shaping handles or assembling tools. Together they created a level of expertise that was difficult to match anywhere else.

Scissors and shears made in Sheffield became known for their balance, durability and cutting performance. They were tools made to work every day, often for decades.

Today only a small number of workshops continue this tradition.

(See also our history)

Witness marks

Our scissors and shears are made by hand using traditional methods such as flexible grinding and putting together. These techniques are now used by only a small number of scissor makers worldwide.

Because they are handmade, our scissors may show small marks, lines or slight variations. These are not defects. A defective tool is one that does not perform as it should, and such a tool will never leave our workshop.

We do not plate our scissors. The steel is polished to a mirror finish and then edged. To ensure precise cutting performance, one of the shanks is adjusted by hand so the blades meet correctly. This process can leave a small witness mark.

A witness mark is a natural result of hand-finishing and indicates that the scissors have been individually adjusted by a skilled maker.

At Ernest Wright in Sheffield we prioritise cutting performance above visual perfection. The small variations that come with handmade scissors are part of their character and a sign of authentic craftsmanship.

In some traditions, particularly in Japan, this appreciation of small imperfections is seen as part of the beauty of a handmade object. We recognise the same idea in our own work.

(See also the craft)

Handmade in Sheffield

Sheffield has a long and proud history as a producer city, known around the world for its cutlery and steel. For centuries, tools with a cutting edge have been made here by skilled makers working in small, specialised workshops.

One of the earliest recorded references to the trade dates back to 1297, when “Robert the Cutler” was listed in a tax return. Since then, Sheffield has become synonymous with quality and craftsmanship.

Today, only a small number of makers continue this tradition. At Ernest Wright in Sheffield, we still produce scissors by hand using methods that have been passed down through generations.

Lifetime Warranty

If the product becomes faulty throughout its reasonable lifetime due to production workmanship, you must notify Ernest Wright within 14 days of the fault occurring. This warranty covers manufacturing faults only and does not cover wear, blunting, unreasonable use, misuse, damage, or oxidation. Please note – whilst stainless steel products will resist oxidation more than carbon steel products, they cannot be guaranteed against rusting.

We cannot accept liability for return goods damaged during transit and advise that you package and insure the products adequately to prevent this happening.

Proof of postage is not necessarily proof of delivery and you are therefore strongly advised to send your package by recorded delivery, registered post or courier and to maintain sufficient insurance to cover the value of the goods.

We may not be responsible for any postage and packaging charges you may incur by returning any product.

The following information should be included inside the packaging: your daytime telephone number, your order number or postcode and a detailed reason for the return.

On receipt of the returned goods, we will assess the product according to the workmanship fault you have stated. If we agree with the fault, we will repair the product free of charge, or replace it with a similar item.

Limited production

Ernest Wright is dedicated to the craft of making supreme quality, handmade scissors with a perfect performance. Due to our quality standards, the handmade nature of our products and the limited number of craftspeople who possess the skills of scissors-making, we have a relatively small production of unique scissors and shears.

We have no unlimited stock.

Visiting our workshop

Many supporters visit the Ernest Wright workshop each year to meet some of the team and tour the premises.
We love to meet our customers, so you are always welcome to visit us in Sheffield and experience a working scissors workshop. However, as we are a very busy team, we are not always in a position to drop our work immediately when someone calls by. For the best chance of a great visit, email info@ernestwright.co.uk and we will find a suitable date.

If you can’t make it to Sheffield but you’d like to take part in a group virtual tour, we’ll be happy to arrange it.

Left- or right-handed

The arrangement of right-handed and left-handed scissors’ blades takes into account the mechanics of the hand’s grip to optimize cutting and allow the user to see what they’re cutting clearly. When you use a pair of scissors, as well as a vertical motion your hand creates a lateral squeeze, with the thumb pushing slightly away from the palm. Right-handed scissors are engineered to harness this motion to push the blades together, but when used in the left hand, the blades are pushed apart. To create the same effect, left-handed scissors are a mirror image of right-handed ones. (See also our Workshop Notes)

Carbon or Stainless Steel

We use two kinds of steel: Stainless steel and Carbon steel.

The main difference between Stainless steel and Carbon steel is that stainless steels have much higher corrosion resistance, due to the protective chromium oxide layer that covers the steel surface after heat treatment.

Another difference relates to the alloying elements that form carbides. Stainless steels contain at least 10.5% chromium by weight. The carbide particles provide the steel with significant wear resistance.

Carbon scissors and shears should be stored dry whereas Stainless steel ones are more durable in wet conditions.

For more detail on the specific grades we use and why, see our Workshop Note: Carbon or Stainless Steel?

Which steel is used in which scissors?

Every pattern of scissors and shears we make comes in a specific steel, chosen for its purpose. The table below shows which model is made from which steel. For more detail on the steels we use and why, see our Workshop Note: Carbon or Stainless Steel?

Pattern / Steel Type
Pattern	Steel Type
Stork Embroidery	C50 Carbon
Turton kitchen scissors	420 B Stainless
Turton kitchen scissors (LH)	420 B Stainless
Kutrite flat kitchen scissors	420 B Stainless
8.25″ Sidebent Dressmaker Shears	C50 Carbon
8.25″ Sidebent Dressmaker Shears (LH)	C50 Carbon
10″ Sidebent Tailor Shears	C60 Carbon
10″ Sidebent Dressmaker Shears (LH)	C60 Carbon
12″ Industrial shears	C60 Carbon
13″ Classic Tailor Shears	C50 Carbon
13″ Heritage Tailor Shears	C60 Carbon
12″ Paperhanger	C50 Carbon
6.5″ General Purpose	420 B Stainless
6″ Quilting Scissors	420 B Stainless
4″ Print Embroidery	C50 Carbon
Threadsnips	C50 Carbon
11″ Bookbinder	C50 Carbon
Nurseryman scissors	440 B Stainless

Hot drop forging

If you’ve ever seen a blacksmith beating on a piece of red hot iron with a hammer, you have seen the simplest type of forging. Blacksmiths have been doing this for centuries. But as they experimented with new techniques, they learned that complex shapes could be created by hammering metal into a die. The die contains the shape of the finished product. Nowadays either a falling hammer or a powered hammer is used to do the hammering (rather than doing it by hand), and we use dies on both sides of the piece. This, we call hot drop forging. The advantage of hot drop forging is that it improves the strength of the metal by aligning and stretching the grain structure. It makes the parts stronger and more durable.

Scissors or Shears

The difference between “scissors” and “shears” lies in in the length of the blade and the design of the handles or bows. Scissors have symmetrical, equally sized finger holes and are generally under 6″ in blade length, while shears have one smaller and one larger finger hole, and are over 6″ in blade length. (See also our Workshop Notes)

Measurement

When measuring scissors and shears, some people refer to the length of the blades, where others mean the total length of the pair. Since our products are handmade there may be very small differences from the stated dimensions. Our focus is on flawless performance and finishing rather than on the exact dimensions.

How many layers of materials will it cut through?

We sometimes receive this question from customers and honestly we do not have a clear answer. It all depends on the material. When you need excessive force, you’re probably overdoing it. Most people who use our products with love and dedication are not layering materials to cut through.

Waiting list

If your desired model is out of stock and you wish to be notified when it becomes available again, please send an email to pam@ernestwright.co.uk specifying the model you’d like to purchase, and provide your name.

We will then add you to the waiting list for the relevant model, and will give you advance notice as soon as it is due back in stock. The product should be available to order from the moment you receive our notification email, and since you’ll be one of the first people to find out about the new batch, you will have a very good chance of securing the scissors or shears you’ve been waiting for.

Engraving

We appreciate that some customers like to have items engraved, but we strongly advise against doing so to your Ernest Wright scissors or shears.

The mirror polish finish on these items is the result of much hard work. Engraving detracts from the finish, while creating an elevated risk of rusting.

For these reasons, we do not offer an engraving service. We’re confident that when you give our scissors or shears to someone (or get them as a gift to yourself), the owner will always feel the unwritten love and kindness. Sometimes, putting these things into words takes away from the deeper meaning.

Shop & Delivery FAQ

Where to buy

We offer our handmade scissors and shears primarily through our own website, with a select number of specialized stockists also carrying our products. We do not distribute through large trading or e-commerce platforms. Limited stock can be found by our stockists. As a small craft workshop, we strive to provide our carefully crafted products at reasonable prices, reflecting the time and effort invested in their creation.

Delivery in the UK

We deliver to all UK postcodes, including Northern Ireland, the Highlands and Islands, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands. All products are insured and specially packaged to ensure peace of mind. You can track and trace your parcel via Royal Mail.

Delivery to the United States

Shipping to the United States

We ship our scissors and shears to the United States on a Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) basis.

All applicable import duties, tariffs, taxes, and handling charges are included in the price shown at checkout, so the amount you pay is the final price with no additional fees due on delivery.

Our courier manages customs clearance and settles all applicable charges with U.S. authorities on your behalf.

Available destinations

United States
American Samoa
Guam
Northern Mariana Islands
Puerto Rico
United States Minor Outlying Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands

Duties and import charges

U.S. import duties and temporary trade surcharges may change from time to time. Where applicable, these costs are already reflected in the prices shown at checkout for U.S. customers.

We monitor trade requirements carefully to ensure that ordering from Ernest Wright remains straightforward, transparent, and free from unexpected charges.

If you have any questions about ordering from the UK or shipping to the United States, please feel free to contact us.

Delivery to the European Union

Deliveries to the following European countries are shipped on a Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) basis. This means that VAT, handling, import charges, and customs duties are all included in the price shown at online checkout:

Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Monaco
Montenegro
Netherlands
Portugal
San Marino
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Vatican City

There are no hidden fees charged by the courier or any other authority in your country. The price you see at checkout is the final price, and we guarantee there will be no extra costs.

From 1 July 2026, the European Union will introduce a customs handling charge on certain imported parcels. For orders with a value below €150, a charge of €3 will be added at checkout. This charge is included in the final price shown before payment.

We send all orders to these countries to a location in the Netherlands. From there, the scissors and shears are collected by DHL or a DHL Partner and delivered to our customers. You will receive a DHL tracking number when your package is handed over to the courier in the Netherlands. Tracking may take a couple of days to update after your order.

Delivery to Canada and the Rest of the World

We deliver to almost every country in the world. You can fill in your country in the order section, and the price for your country will be displayed at checkout.

All international orders (except those mentioned under European Union and USA delivery) are not duty paid and may incur additional charges once the parcel reaches its destination country. These charges must be paid by the recipient of the parcel, and failure to do so can result in delays. It might be a good idea to contact your local customs office for details of current charges before you order. For parcels returned to us due to customs charges being higher than expected, we reserve the right to refund the transaction minus all incurred costs. All products are insured and specially packaged to ensure peace of mind. You can track and trace your parcel.

Collection from Workshop

Collection from our Sheffield workshop is free.
Select the collection option when placing your order.

We will email you when your scissors or shears are ready to collect.

Our workshop is open for collections from 10:00 – 16:00, Tuesday to Thursday.

Please bring your order confirmation, either printed or on your phone, as proof of purchase.

Orders are held at the workshop for up to two weeks. If you need more time, please contact us and we will arrange a later collection.

Payment Methods & Currencies

All our prices are set in GBP. For customers outside the United Kingdom, prices may also be displayed in your local currency where available.

We currently support payments in GBP, USD, EUR, CHF, SEK, CAD, AUD and JPY.

Payments can be made using major credit and debit cards, Apple Pay and PayPal. Depending on your country, additional local payment methods may also be available, including iDEAL, Swish and TWINT.

Back orders

Our scissors and shears are made in small batches at our Sheffield workshop.

As a result, many models are available on back order rather than for immediate dispatch.

Back-ordered items are usually completed and despatched within approximately 12 weeks as batches are finished.

Not all models are currently available for back order. If a model is listed as “Out of stock”, please contact us and we will let you know when it is expected to return.

Combining ‘in stock’ and ‘backordered’ products

If your order includes both ‘in stock’ and ‘backordered’ items, the order will be despatched once all items are ready.

If you would like an ‘in stock’ item to be despatched within the stated delivery time, please place a separate order for any ‘backordered’ items.

Restricted Countries

We send our scissors and shears to most countries around the world.

However, we follow the international shipping guidelines, sanctions and export restrictions set by governments and our courier partners.

As a result, we may be unable to ship to certain countries, organisations or individuals.

Restrictions can change over time. If you are unsure whether we can ship to your country, please contact us before placing an order.

Maintenance & refurbishment FAQ

How can I get my scissors or shears serviced?

We offer a paid refurbishment and resharpening service for Ernest Wright and Kutrite scissors and shears.

If your scissors require attention after years of use, please contact us. We will then arrange a suitable date for you to send your scissors to our Sheffield workshop.

This helps us manage repairs carefully and maintain the quality of the work carried out in our workshop.

Can you service scissors from other brands as well?

We currently only repair, refurbish and resharpen Ernest Wright and Kutrite scissors and shears, Made in Sheffield.

We do not offer repair services for products made by other brands.

Are there any exceptions for scissors from other brands?

In certain cases, we may be able to refurbish or resharpen scissors and shears from other makers, if they hold significant sentimental value and have been traditionally made.

If you would like us to assess a pair, please contact us.

Kutrite reservation FAQ

Why is the Kutrite sold using a reservation system?

In short, because the model is too popular. Previously, we put the Kutrite on sale openly every time we finished crafting a new batch. We notified followers by email when the scissors went on sale, and the whole batch would sell out within a few minutes. About 100 customers were able to buy a pair each time, but another 1,000-or-so(!) people were unsuccessful. This led to frustration and disappointment.

We created the Kutrite Reservation system to make purchasing the Kutrite fairer and less stressful. It gives everyone an equal opportunity to buy a pair – regardless of how often you check your email inbox.

What happens to my reservation fee?

When your Kutrite Reservation number comes up and you purchase your pair, the value of your reservation fee is deducted from the Kutrite’s list price at checkout. Your total expenditure equates to the normal list price for the Kutrite.

If you do not purchase your reserved pair of the Kutrite within four weeks of us informing you that your number has come up, the reservation is voided and the reservation fee is used for admin costs. This ensures somebody further down the queue can enjoy the scissors. We will contact you more than once during your four-week window, to make sure you have every chance of using your Kutrite Reservation to buy the Kutrite within the allotted time.

How long does my Kutrite Reservation last?

Your Kutrite Reservation gives you a reservation number that remains valid until four weeks after we reach your number in the queue.

The duration of the wait for your number to be called will depend on how many other customers are ahead of you in the queue, and on our crafting schedule. We cannot guarantee a specific wait time for this, but customers should be prepared to wait anywhere from a few months to a few years.

Once we’ve informed you that your reservation number has been reached, the reservation number can be used to purchase your reserved pair of the Kutrite within a four-week period, after which the reservation is voided.

How will I find out when my Kutrite Reservation is ready?

We will inform you by email when your Kutrite Reservation number comes up. From then, you’ll be able to use your email address to access a special page of our website, which you can use to purchase a pair of the Kutrite immediately. In the email we send to you, we will include a link to the special webpage, plus instructions on how to make the purchase. When purchasing a Kutrite Reservation, please take care to use your correct, permanent email addres.

Can a Kutrite Reservation be gifted, returned or exchanged?

No, sorry. Your Kutrite Reservation is tied to your email address, so you cannot gift your registration number to another person. However, there’s nothing to stop you from giving the Kutrite Flat Kitchen Scissors themselves to a lucky loved one, after you’ve used your reservation number to buy a pair! Returns and exchanges are not available on Kutrite Reservations.