Griffon Cutlery Works was located at 151 West 19th Street from 1920 to about 1965, and its large painted sign can still be made out from 7th Avenue between West 19th and 20th Streets, even though it has faded considerably in recent years.
Pinking shears are scissors, the blades of which are sawtoothed instead of straight. They leave a zigzag pattern instead of a straight edge, used in cutting woven cloth. Cloth edges that are unfinished will easily fray, the weave becoming undone and threads pulling out easily. The sawtooth pattern does not prevent the fraying but limits the length of the frayed thread and thus minimizes damage.
9/9/11
9 comments
I have pair of scissors with the following: Italy … Girffon … 9118 … 7″… This may have been a pair of scissors that belonged to my mother or even her mother. They would have to be more than 50 years old.
Can you give me any information on them and possibly a value?
I’ve been having a pair of kitchen scissors for ages. From not using them, they are discolored on the inside of the blade. I brought them to a knife sharpening place to have them cleaned and sharpened. Was told that cleaning them would compromise the cut of the scissors. So they are still discolored but they work fine. I really would like to get them cleaned. I live in the New Orleans area. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where I could take them or possibly even send them?
the person that told you that, is half right in what was said. However, they can be brought back to factory conditioning by hand much the way one would restore an antique straight razor. Which means taking them apart and hand sanding them with wet sand paper. if you watch some of the restoration video’s on youtube, for restoring a straight razor you will see what I mean. But you will still more then likely compromise the cut of the scissors. There are other ways of cleaning steel, such as the use of Electrologists, problem is if you have any pitting in the cut of the scissors it will still effect the cut. Which would require putting a new cutting edge on the scissors, which would require resetting the bevel.
I have a box that says griffon cutlery with the 3 piece carving set in it. Can you tell me how much it is worth? I believe it is from the 1940’s
Pinking shears, I need to know how to sharpen them and take apart
I have a pair of Griffon Tru-Pink Pinking Sherars in excellent condition, sale ticket and other pperwork with them , in the orginal box, prefect condition. From o. Falks”s Deppartment store in Tamp, Fla. pver 100 yrs old. What are they worth? They cost $4.95 new
Hello Marla,
I have the same pair of scissors, my grandmother’s I’m told. This evening I’ve been searching the web to find someone to sharpen my pinking shears. I have arthritis and it’s becoming difficult to use them (they may never have been sharpened!). I have seen a few of these shears listed on Etsy and sadly they were selling for $7.50. No one makes anything anymore! I would love to buy your scissors if you are interested in selling them. Stephanie
I have a Griffon cutlery straight razor “00” 5/8. Germany. Can you offer any other information?
Have come across a rarity that I cannot find anywhere. 1888-1963 …75th anniversary Shears and Sheath. Can anyone tell me about these. Excellent with the handle being a uniquely designed “75” Any history would be great…# made? Value? Pristine scissors and sheath in commemorative box. Thank you in advance