[earlthegoat2]

Actually I need all you blade afficianados to point me in the right direction to the most bombproof set of shears out there. I am really tired of sub par cheapies.

I am willing to pay out but I am also open to good values.

There is not going to be heavy cutting involved. I just want them to cut when I ask them too.

Yes, the most heavy duty cutting they may get is when I wrap presents this year.....and hopefully every other year.

[hso]

But you're not asking about their use as a weapon, but as a tool for their designed purpose.

OTOH, if you're looking for something that fill both the tool role and the defensive weapon role -

http://www.agrussell.com/images/medium/CL-5005.jpg

[glistam]

There many be a few attributes that are at odds.

Most of the strongest shears tend to be the type that bend slight at the joint (Like these (http://www.countycomm.com/combatshear.htm)). They are designed for the heaviest cutting tasks, but have much less potential as weapons.

There are several types of knife/scissor hybrids like the one HSO posted. But if you are looking for a potential weapon and that style either does not suit you or is too obvious, high quality barber's scissors are best I think. Ask any Gitano or Sicilian. The types used for dog grooming tend to be longer and have tougher blades.

[ProShooter]

Without a doubt, EMT shears....

http://www.tacticalresponsegear.com/catalog/images/a2006emt.jpeg

They cut seat belts, pennies, leather boots, etc

[earlthegoat2]

I am not looking for a weapon, that was a joke.

I am looking for a good set of shears for general purpose. I know Kershaw had a good wet out awhile back.

[lloveless]

I agree with proshooter. a close second would be poultry shears.
ll

[Dimis]

EMT sheers no doubt will do any cutting you can imagine or need and the best part is you can get them pretty cheap ive used mine for some hard tasks (showing friends what they will cut) and ive never had a breakage yet

[hso]

If you're cutting paper about the best thing out there can be found at art supply shops/sites. Most medium sized cities will have at least one of the chains like Jerry's Artarama.

[Weedy]

Cutco Super Shears. I've had a set for 12 years and I still use them almost every day for some thing or another. Lifetime warranty and resharpening (at least when I got mine they did.)

http://www.cutco.com.au/77.htm

[TimboKhan]

Cutco Super Shears

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, thats a $172.00 pair of scissors. I think that is in Australian money, but the exchange rate is pretty close to being 1/1. I suppose if you are serious about cutting stuff with shears it isn't much different than spending a couple hundred bucks on a custom knife, but man...

On the plus side, they really do offer lifetime sharpening, and they have a US warranty center so you don't have to mail your expensive shears all the way down under every time you send them in. They will even replace the product if you bust them via misuse, though you do have to pay half price. Frankly, thats a pretty good warranty when they meet you halfway on something you busted through negligence. Expensive shears, but it appears to be a excellent warranty.

[bukijin]

Those aren't scissors....THESE are scissors

[zombiemaster]

If you have never owned a quality pair of emt shears you have no idea what sissors can do... You can cut a volkswagen open with them, you can cut penny's in half with them... And they cost less than $10 a pair...

Nothing out there can cut pennys in half and suffer no damage...except emt shears...

[inkhead]

The EMT scissors do not have a clean razor sharp cut, rather jagged edges, just keep that in mind. You can buy ones in the same style that are clean cut.

The purpose of the jagged edges is the same with all knives to penetrate clothing. Also please be aware that like all scissors, when wet, sweaty, or dripping with blood they slip and slide all around your hands. This goes for all non-porous surfaces.

[Weedy]

If you have never owned a quality pair of emt shears you have no idea what sissors can do... You can cut a volkswagen open with them, you can cut penny's in half with them... And they cost less than $10 a pair...

Nothing out there can cut pennys in half and suffer no damage...except emt shears...
I've cut a few pennies with the Cutco shears (I sold Cutco about 12 years ago, it was one of the sales demonstrations), but as was mentioned before, $150+ compared to 10 bucks is a pretty huge difference.

[wheelgunslinger]

It really depends on what you want to cut with them.

You said no heavy cutting was needed, as in coins and spareribs, alluding to gift wrapping and such. Scissors that cut paper and cloth well are a breed apart from the others mentioned.

Solingen German Tailor's shears:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GGT9I6/ref=asc_df_B001GGT9I6953888?smid=A2X7VXHICQN38M&tag=dealtmp375736-20&linkCode=asn&creative=380341&creativeASIN=B001GGT9I6

Buy two and keep one pair for paper and one for everything else.