Gear Review: Dr. Slick's Razor Scissors

(1 vote, average 5.00 out of 5)

Written by Brian Frawley

Sunday, 27 February 2011 22:43

Dr Slick Scissors Well, fly tying bench time is in full swing as the lakes and rivers are still frozen over for another couple of weeks or so. That gives us some time to look at some gear that I've been playing around with, and today we're looking at Dr. Slick Razor Scissors.

Why scissors, you ask? Scissors are very important piece of equipment for trimming and shaping flies. Yarn eggs are dependent on sharp scissors to make perfectly round eggs every time. Deer hair needs to be shaped into muddler minnows. A good pair of scissors makes tying flies more fun and enjoyable. So, we thought we would check out the Dr. Slick Razor Scissors because we wanted to know, and let you know, if they are worth the 30 bucks you will have to part with to own a pair!

A little history about Dr. Slick before we dive into the review. Back in 1989, Dr. Slick (AKA Dr. Kenneth A High) started the company after being completely unsatisfied with the fly tying and fishing tools on the market. He used his knowledge of surgical tools and his love of fly fishing and designed better tools. There are over 16 pairs of scissors on Dr. Slick's website, and I like nothing better than a sharp pair of scissors.

So, without further adieu, let's take a look.

First impression
The Razor Scissors come in two sizes: a 4" and a 5" version. Today, we are checking out the 5 inch version. Both versions allow for adjusting the tension on the blades. The adjuster wheel has nice clicking increments as you turn it. The scissors look really great and there are no cheap parts on this build. I really liked the large finger loops and the really pointy tips that allow you to do fine trim work on your flies.

At the Vise
To really get a sense of how these things work, I needed to cut some stuff. So, I started out with some of the basic materials that I typically work with -- deer hair, Mcfly foam, Marabou, etc. I really liked the feel of the cut that these scissors had, and was surprised that I liked them much better than any of the other scissors I currently own (fact: I have 9 pairs!). The cut was smooth and sure, and I really could tell that there was a difference in the way that these babies worked. Sharp and steady, these worked for almost everything I threw at them.

Now, I should note that I would not recommend using these scissors for cutting a decent gauged wire. Having now worked with these for a while, cutting wire with Dr. Slick's Razors would be like taking your Ferrari racing down a dirt two track. I have designated scissors just for wire, and I thought that I'd keep it that way, no matter how much I liked the way that these cut.

The Verdict
I have been using these scissors all winter long on a few different patterns, and I have been tying and find them to still be as sharp as the day I brought them home! Initially I was a little bent about the price, but having used them, noting the quality of construction, I really think they are worth the money spent, even through you can find plenty of other scissors for a lot less. But, be careful with them: if you're a klutz, these scissors will hurt you bad, as they are very pointy and, as the name implies, razor sharp!

What I liked:
The feel of the cut, the look and great construction, and, of course, how very sharp they are.

Middle of the road:
None

What I did not like:
Not having the 4" pair as well!

Notable accessories:
None

Manufacture specifications.
From Dr. Slick's Website:
Model SR5G 5" Adjustable Tension