To make scissors pleasant to hold even when in constant use, their handles require special processing, especially when thumb and forefinger have to produce pressure for cutting. After scissors have been forged and hardened, the surface of the handles is very rough, with burrs and scales. In very cheap models, the burrs are simply covered with a thick layer of paint - a process which very inadequately tries to avoid an old but very elaborate technique, namely that of flexible grinding, which is the basic requirement for really good chromium- and nickel-plating. In flexible grinding, scissors handles are precision-ground with the help of a large number of grinding discs and belts, differing in shape, hardness and grinding agent. Different tools are required for the various curves in the scissors' handles. The insides of the handles are processed by stringing them on a grinding belt. Then the (endless) belt is placed on a moving roller and the handles are processed by being skilfully turned and guided. This is a technique requiring great skill and experience and used to be an accepted part of processing scissors of professional quality - until the Seventies, flexible grinding was a skilled occupation in Germany. And we are almost sure this must have been the case in Britain too.

Tailors' scissors are used for cutting out fabrics. They need to have an immediate grip and must not push the fabric forwards. The shape of these scissors makes it easier to keep the handle straight and gives the hand great sensitivity. Tailors' scissors need unvarying cutting power and have to follow the pattern right down to their tips. A very large and long handle provides space for three fingers.