Any ideas what these are? They can't be sheep shearers...

by Connie Windes

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These can't be sheep shearers as they are only 4" long. What are they?

99 answers

Swan Road Designs on Mar 27, 2016
They are sewing nippers. The handles (loop end) rest in the palm of your hand and you use your thumb and base of your index fingers to squeeze the blades together. I have a pair i my embroidery basket and several in the drawer of my sewing machine table. They are handy for clipping threads at the end of sewing a seam, etc. and are useful for this task because they are small and don't get in the way that a pair of full-sized shears might.

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UpState on Mar 27, 2016
For shearing rabbits in Colonial days...fur used for mittens. Very warm. Very soft and tender to the hands.

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Mary on Mar 28, 2016
They are for cutting the ends off the onions not the green part. The bottom whiskers. They are used at the farm for that

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- Cathy on Mar 28, 2016
  I knew them as 'onion toppers' a LONG time ago but it seems like they were more than 4" long. Maybe my hand was just smaller back then.
  
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Sonia greenslade on Mar 28, 2016
They are for cutting cotton ends when sewing

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Katherine on Mar 28, 2016
I have a pair that I use when sewing. Much quicker than scissors, and seem to be much sharper!

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Gioya Fennelly on Mar 28, 2016
They are personal bettle nut slicer.

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Karen Holsopple on Mar 28, 2016
They're embroidery scissors.

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Darla on Mar 28, 2016
They are an old form of scissors.

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Barbara Kuhn on Mar 28, 2016
I have a larger version, Japanese pruners.

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Lynda on Mar 28, 2016
Embroidery scissors. My grandma had these.

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NATALIE on Mar 28, 2016
They're just simple sewing thread cutters.

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Shelia on Mar 28, 2016
clothes factories use them to cut off loose treads.

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Marlene Dolan on Mar 28, 2016
I think the are bonsai pruners

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Becky on Mar 28, 2016
Thread snippers.

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Catmum on Mar 28, 2016
for bonsai

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Anna Lee Cherry on Mar 28, 2016
They can be used to cut thread and to snip plants or roses when pruning. Please keep a rubber band around the end when not in use.

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Lynn Palmatier on Mar 28, 2016
These certainly look like vintage thread trimmers... simple search got modern trimmers... http://www.sewingsupplywarehouse.com/ecthreadtrim.html

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Cat on Mar 28, 2016
old grass trimmers...for around trees, fences etc.my parents had one or two, that's what they used them for.

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Joanna on Mar 28, 2016
I agree with "Perenick"---They look very similar to the grass clippers my Mom has --"weed whackers" weren't always around! :)

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Sheila collier on Mar 28, 2016
These are topiary shears for Box hedging to create wonderful shapes

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JESTONECIPHER on Mar 28, 2016
Thread nips

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Dawn on Mar 28, 2016
My grandma kept a pair in her sewing kit to snip threads and such

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Tosha Schiffli on Mar 28, 2016
They're gardening tools:)

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Melbrooks on Mar 28, 2016
Thread snips... I agree. I have a pair.

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- Julie on Mar 28, 2016
  Yes they are thread snips. The newer ones have a spring in the middle of them so they don't come apart.
  
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Charlotta on Mar 28, 2016
They're still in use. Thread snips. Often a free gift with some thread purchases.

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Rosa Braswell Oliver on Mar 28, 2016
A form of scissor, known as thread nips.

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Jean marc on Mar 28, 2016
Ciseaux pour tondre la laine des moutons

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Mca5097980 on Mar 28, 2016
Mini Spring Shears according to Leevalley a general purpose shear of oriental design. http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page.aspx?p=72396&cat=2,42194,62551

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Marilee H on Mar 28, 2016
I agree, thread snips - although a suppose they could also be used to shear angora rabbits!

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Nita Reddy on Mar 28, 2016
My mom had a pair of grass shears like that, but at 4", yes--thread snips

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Toni Bennett on Mar 28, 2016
Topiary shears. Well, that's what I use them for 🌿🍃🌿

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Janice on Mar 28, 2016
Plant shears - flower stems, light pruning, etc. Yes, thread snips also.

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Lance irwin on Mar 28, 2016
I grew up on a sheep farm and my father used these not as shearers but to trim the wool. Farmers use these for many things including clipping string, wool trimming, cutting weeds etc.

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Moonalisa Crabass on Mar 28, 2016
I know them as herb snips.

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Bonnie on Mar 28, 2016
I have a pair of these and I purchased them in a gardening store to use for small pruning projects. I have also used them for thread snipping. They are really handy.

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Kaoakes on Mar 28, 2016
Beautiful garden shears.

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Luanne Johnson on Mar 28, 2016
I have small ones that I use a snips for my knitting and crocheting scissors

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Charlotte Johnson Rogers on Mar 28, 2016
I see them in sewing baskets at estate sales. they are good for snipping small thread.

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Lane Maeve Alison on Mar 28, 2016
Bonsai twig snippers.

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Josephine Howland on Mar 28, 2016
They are thread clippers, I have a few of them. I keep a pair of clippers at each of my sewing machines.

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Robyn Dunn on Mar 28, 2016
They are antique sheep shears. Google them and you'll see them. Their in good shape.

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Sue Peet on Mar 28, 2016
A couple of years ago I bought tools that look similar to these for snipping herbs or dead heading certain plants in the yard.

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Cindy Corean on Mar 28, 2016
They're rabbit shears for shearing small animals like mohair rabbits, or even trimming dog fur. They are in VERY good condition! You've found an unusual treasure!

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Lisa Moerbe on Mar 28, 2016
Bonsai trimmers! I had wondered at their precise purpose, I used mine for thread like a lot of these ladies were saying. However the ones I have were bought in Japan so Im betting that that was probably their intended purpose.

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Sharon Westendorf on Mar 28, 2016
I have some garden shears that look like these.

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Kalyn on Mar 28, 2016
They look very much like the thread cutters that are included in embroidery kits purchased in Asia.

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Ann on Mar 28, 2016
I use mine for deadheading plants and trimming the grass around the edge of the garden.

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M. M.. on Mar 28, 2016
Asian garden snips! A cleverly bent paper clip will keep them closed or you can make a felt/leather sheath to protect the tips and hold blades together. Oil frequently,they are steel and will turn a treasured blue color.. if they do get rust, grind it off immediately or take to a knife sharpening service.

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Alice on Mar 28, 2016
They are thread cutters for sewing, here they are called "nippers"

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Peggy on Mar 28, 2016
exactly what my shearers used,for sheep,the big one.

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Debra on Mar 28, 2016
if they are small they are thread cutters.

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Rebecca Jones on Mar 28, 2016
scissors

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Berniece Rios on Mar 28, 2016
Sheep and or grass clippers. Used them when I was young.

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TwilaB on Mar 28, 2016
Also known as the Onion Shear; onion growers used them during harvest. The smaller ones were made for women's hands for gardening. Then, much smaller ones were made for sewing.

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- Marian Smith Peek on Mar 28, 2016
  U are right
  
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Nancy Struck on Mar 28, 2016
Sewing thread sissors

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Chicki on Mar 28, 2016
I have a pair and they were sold as bonsai pruners.

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Giv5313919 on Mar 28, 2016
Love

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Lavonne on Mar 28, 2016
All of the above are correct. THis type of shear is used in many different applications.

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Marian Smith Peek on Mar 28, 2016
Onion shears used at harvest time

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Diane nunn on Mar 28, 2016
They were used in cotton mills to cut out waste n crossing up of bobbin threads

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Joanne Cook on Mar 28, 2016
We used them to edge the sidewalk and driveway in the 50's, 60's

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Debbie on Mar 28, 2016
Shears for gardening

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Evie on Mar 28, 2016
They are for snipping plants, deadheading flowers, "pinching" new growth.

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Awc5167983 on Mar 28, 2016
We have some in our kit for 18th century re-enactment. Depending on size, they were snips, scissors, or shears.

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Elizabeth Krentz on Mar 28, 2016
they are called snips and are used to cut thread or yarn

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Barb on Mar 28, 2016
garden clippers. They should still work great as long as you sharpen them. Usually hand forged and very good quality.

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Sew1978359 on Mar 28, 2016
These are thread snips used for sewing.

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Pam on Mar 28, 2016
These are 18th century scissors. depending on the purpose of what you at that time needed you used the appropriate size. I still have my great grandmother's sewing scissors and my great granddad's sheep sheers.

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Donna on Mar 28, 2016
I bought a number of these from Valley Tools in Vancouver, I use them to snip threads when I am sewing, the ones I have, of course came from China, they are neat little scissors.

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Sandra_mason15656 on Mar 28, 2016
sissors for crafting with yarns

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Mahmaz on Mar 28, 2016
Many years ago I worked in a factory that manufactured polyester thread. My job was to tie raw material onto the looms. We used these "nippers" to clip the ends of the knot.

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Marti on Mar 28, 2016
I have some that have a little longer blades - and they are grass clippers

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Susan on Mar 28, 2016
I recognized these immediately as they are the exact ones my mother and grandmother used for sewing, or more specifically, for cutting the thread. Not positive, but I've only known them for being Japanese cutting tools, but it could just be Asian.

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Vicki on Mar 28, 2016
I have a pair of these that I purchased via a gardening catalog for trimming a hedge like boxwood. They were manufactured by a Japanese company. I would think the small size would be for trimming bonsai or small topiaries.

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Vicki on Mar 28, 2016
They are for trimming small topiaries or shaping bonsai.

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- Margaret on Mar 28, 2016
  @Vicki you are exactly correct. I specifically purchased a pair of these hoping to get into bonsai and then realized I didn't have the patience. I just found mine buried in the garage.
  
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Grandmasue10 on Mar 28, 2016
Isn't everyone on "Hometalk" just wonderful. I thought "sewing trimmers" when I saw the small pic, but when enlarged, they definitely look more like plant trimmers.

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Barbara on Mar 28, 2016
My grandmother had two sizes she used in her seeing and embroidery

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Barbara on Mar 28, 2016
Sewing.... Not seeing!! Stupid smart phone

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Iberkeley on Mar 28, 2016
Yes, they are little snippers for plants; I use mine for cutting herbs and trimming small plants. Very handy and light weight.

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Pat Zagami on Mar 29, 2016
I use mine for cutting thread when doing cross stitch.

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Mayu on Mar 29, 2016
They are Thread cutting scissors. Japanese traditional scissors to use sewing.

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April Belknap on Mar 29, 2016
I use mine to trim feathers !! I make feather lei (hatbands) and feather flowers .

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Trish on Mar 29, 2016
These are made to be thread cutters, but you could use them for any small snipping.

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Kate Adamson on Mar 29, 2016
Topiary shears

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Lynn Palmatier on Mar 29, 2016
In your case Connie, I would venture to say they are definitely thread shears. You live in a well known area for fabric and towel mills and furniture manufacturers. If you got them locally in a Antique shop, I would guarantee, that is where they were used... One thing for sure they are shears and have multiple uses. I live in Raleigh and North Carolina is rich in textiles and furniture history (not so much anymore though furniture companies are still in the area) and more than likely, these were used in one of those industries.

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Sally on Mar 29, 2016
Thread snips. Very sharp mini scissors with nowhere to get your fingers tangled when you've got your hands full or busy already. Couldn't live without them.

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Dawn Roberson on Mar 29, 2016
This is exactly what I used to use to snip threads when I was a shirt inspector at a shirt factory back in 1984! They were faster to use than regular scissors, as well as much more ergonomic!

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Gwenda on Mar 29, 2016
They are bonsai shears.

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- Barbara Kuhn on Mar 30, 2016
  Yes, I think you are right on!😊
  
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Car3055743 on Mar 29, 2016
I've seen them labeled at Chinese scissors...

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User on Mar 30, 2016
They are used (I do) for quilting.

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Chippie on Apr 01, 2016
Clipping thread.

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Wannie on Apr 19, 2016
they are Chinese scissors and there are two types.the second are much larger and the handles curve around in a circle

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Nol5246971 on Jun 12, 2016
they are actually used for cutting herbs

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Patty Eiler Cline on Jun 13, 2016
we were given these in the sewing factory I worked at to clip threads

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- Dawn Roberson on Jul 06, 2016
  That's exactly how I ended up with some as well, Patty Eiler Cline. Lord, that was 32 years ago!
  
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Kate on Oct 06, 2016
I have some like that for clipping threads while needlepointing.

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Jul12796501 on Oct 08, 2016
Look like wire cutters for making bead crafts

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Connie Windes on Oct 08, 2016

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Scott Graham on Oct 19, 2016
They are used to cut Herbs and Berries.

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Cat on Sep 09, 2017

They're old grass trimmers. My mom and dad had them ages ago.

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