When I lived in Shanghai, I noticed something that completely fascinated me. Everywhere I looked, people used these incredible, heavy-duty scissors for manual work. The scissors had massive, curved handles, sometimes flashing gold, and they were used for almost everything. From street food vendors to neighbors prepping food. But they weren't just using one pair for everything. There was a specific pair dedicated solely to each chore, cutting meat, cutting vegetables, and entirely separate pairs for paper, thread, and fabrics.

I was so impressed with their function, and so I decided to research a bit. That’s when I discovered a legendary company called Zhang Xiaoquan, which has been forging these scissors since 1628 (the late Ming Dynasty)

When I eventually left China, I made sure to pack a few pairs of these traditional scissors with me. Over the last decade, I’ve watched them grow old with time. The brass handles have deepened, taking on a gorgeous, rich patina that only comes from years of hands-on use. But ever since I started working on embroidery kits, I’ve dreamed of sourcing these for the website. And last month, I finally found the miniature, traditional gold version of these scissors, which I have been using for years for embroidery.

While the giant versions are great for heavy labor, this small version is an absolute dream for embroidery, sewing, and fine papercrafts. Its iconic, oversized loop handles mean you can comfortably fit multiple fingers inside, giving you incredible control without causing hand fatigue during long projects.

The blades are short and fiercely sharp right up to the very tip, allowing for incredibly clean, crisp snips of embroidery threads and fabrics without any chewing or fraying. 

I am so incredibly happy to finally offer these at the shop. To me, they are the perfect mix of historic craftsmanship, ergonomic design, and daily utility. I hope you fall in love with them just like I did in Shanghai a decade ago.