Guest Blogger & FOM Tyer: Paul Beel, J. Stockard Pro Tyer Team Leader and owner of FrankenFly

On a regular basis I keep a pair of general purpose scissors handy on my tying desk. I like to keep my good scissors as sharp as possible and not dull them by cutting things I don’t need to cut. So this is the reason I use general purpose scissors.

I noticed J.Stockard had new scissors available from Umpqua and I picked up some Umpqua Dreamstream+ All Purpose scissors coming in at 4 inches. The general information on these scissors reads;

“Medium length, micro-serrated blades make these a great all-purpose scissor. Sharp, serrated blades grab and cut a wide variety of natural and synthetic materials for all-around use.”

I’ve now been using the Dreamstream scissors for several weeks and completely agree, these are great for all-around use. The serrated blades make these scissors really excel at cutting synthetics, because they are able to grab a hold of the material and it doesn’t slip out of the blades. The serrated blades also make these clinch together as they cut, so you can feel them grab. I’ve also cut natural materials with them and they do that just fine too.

I haven’t been easy on these scissors the last few weeks either. I have cut Intruder wire, Fireline fishing line, lead wire, copper wire, flashabou, synthetic hair and fibers, and many types of natural feathers and furs. I’ve even used them to scrape off the stiff glue from my dubbing needles. They are still working just fine and cutting just fine. I wouldn’t say they are as exactly as sharp as they were out of the package, but they are still plenty sharp enough to cut the materials I need to cut.

They fit into my hand just fine and the finger holes are made just like almost any other scissors. So nothing out of the ordinary there.

To be honest, I would say as general purpose scissors go, these are just as good or better than anything out there right now. I would not hesitate to pick up another pair when I need them.