What scissors do you use to cut negs? How do you cut more precisely?

[GarageBoy]

So, I cut a little too closely to a frame I really liked and sorta trimmed off 1/2mm or so of it, thanks to my thick, unwieldy Staples scissors...
What are you guys using and is there a trick to it?

Thanks

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Any I could find around house. If I'm not in the rush, I'll cut it right

 

[Rick A]

I use an old pair of library shears. I had illuminated film cutters for 35mm film, but sold them when I stopped processing color film and sold all my Jobo gear and slide mounters.

 

[TheMissingLink]

I use scissors for cutting hair. They are grinded not to slip.


Horst

 

[Jaf-Photo]

I use scissors for cutting hair. They are grinded not to slip.


Horst

Same here.

 

[snapguy]

Buy

In my neck of the woods you can buy a pair of scissors for a buck and up. Buy a few until you find one that works right. It ain't rocket science.

 

[Alex Muir]

I know the problem of trimming a bit off a negative. It only happens to frames you like. I use an illuminated cutter as mentioned by Rick A. I bought it cheap in a camera shop bargain box. It works really well with most common B&W films. It doesn't work with some of the Rollei/Agfa brand films that use a polyester base. They need sharp scissors.
Alex

 

[removed account4]

i have 2 pairs
one is chrome, lifted from my mom's sewing box 40 years ago
and one is a pair of fisckars
sometimes i use a paper cutter .. it doesn't matter, i can never cut
the gaps anyways

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

The photographers that take risks run with them.

 

[dehk]

Any pair I can find, right in the middle of the 2 frames, well I try to anyways.

 

[nworth]

I have a pair of large, sturdy scissors of unknown origin that are in good condition. They work well. The part about being sturdy and in good condition is important. The cheap scissors you pick up at the store these days are not reliable enough, and, sooner or later, they will tear up rather than cut one of your film rolls. A sewing store may have a better choice. Make sure the blades are sturdy and that they are held firmly in place. You want scissors that are large enough to make a single cut across the film, otherwise you will get an uneven edge that catches on things. Surgical scissors are excellent for 35 mm, but they are too short for 120.

 

[Trail Images]

+1 for hair cutting scissors. I've had this pair for 50 years and amazed at how well they still work.

 

[ROL]

I don't deal with roll film much anymore, but when I did, I used dedicated Fiskars, used only for cutting roll film. That probably speaks to the kind of care and respect for procedures that cannot be do-overs (measure twice…) in a well considered workflow. At least now, employing sheet film exclusively, I am left with a nice pair of scissors.

 

[GarageBoy]

Thanks
I'm just having a hell time aiming my scissors, leaving slanty cuts. and cuts too close (always too close to the right)

 

[ROL]

If you can protect your film from scratches, you might try using a roll type cutter, where you could snug it up against the stops and get perpendicular cuts. I've cut down sheet film (pre-exposure) using mine, with good success. They're expensive, but are also (very) useful in trimming prints, and you can often get them used. You might consider it an investment in producing professional quality work all the way around.

 

[Axle]

I actually don't use scissors. I use this: http://www2.fiskars.com/Crafting/Pr...ut-Deluxe-Craft-Paper-Trimmer-12#.U8anuZRdV4o

Also works great to crop prints.

 

[Terry Christian]

I use bandage scissors. The blades are bent, and rounded at the ends to avoid cutting skin. I like them because I don't have to worry so much about cutting my dark bag apart when I'm trimming film inside the bag.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I use a circular saw!

Jeff

 

[trythis]

I use ma teeth! Har har

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have several pairs of "office" type scissors set aside for the purpose.

 

[BetterSense]

Any pair I can find. I prefer smaller ones for 35mm though. Rounded ends are safer.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I do not bother with scissors with rounded ends ever since I stopped poking myself in the eye with scissors.

 

[analoguey]

With enough pressure, you could cut negatives by hand as well - at least Thats how I removed them from the canister at times(pre-developing)

 

[wombat2go]

Upgrade to medium format and use an RH-8 truck. They only have 8 per roll so there is a nice big gap. Easy to see, cut and hold and line up in the scanner frame etc.

Actually I think the bigger size of 120 film, with my eyesight, has been part of the reason I prefer it over 35mm.

 

[cliveh]

Like others I use a scissors, but one of the important aspects when cutting negs is that you have sufficient length to hold at one or both sides of the carrier when the negative is in the enlarger. 35mm is usually cut into strips of 6 for storage, but when you get down to the last couple of strips (depending on what you have left), you may want to cut them as a 5 and 4, rather than a 6 and 3. Thus allowing ability for slight alignment when projected.