LEGRAND TESTS / Fabric

Are Longer Thread Snips Easier to Use Under a Large Coat Button?

LeGrand Editorial Team October 12, 2026

THE QUESTION

When removing a large coat button, does a longer blade make it easier to see and control the blade position beneath the button?

THE SHORT ANSWER

With the 1.57-inch (40 mm) coat button we tested, the Long Thread Snips were easier for us to position than the Short Thread Snips, and more of the Long blades stayed visible while we worked.

Are Longer Thread Snips Easier to Use Under a Large Coat Button?

TEST SETUP

We compared two LeGrand thread snips beneath the same large coat button.

The large 1.57-inch (40 mm) coat button used with both thread snips.

BUTTON

Diameter:
1.57 in (40 mm)

Type:
Large coat button

Low-angle view of the large 1.57-inch (40 mm) coat button used in the test.

TOOLS TESTED

Japanese Short Thread Snips for Sewing – High-Carbon Stainless Steel 4"
Overall length: 4"
Blade length: 1.46"

Japanese Long Thread Snips for Sewing – High-Carbon Stainless Steel 4"
Overall length: 4"
Blade length: 1.9"

Short and Long LeGrand Thread Snips shown side by side for blade length comparison

Top: Long Thread Snips · Bottom: Short Thread Snips

WHAT WE TESTED

We compared how easily each pair of thread snips could be guided beneath the large button and brought into position.

The test focused on access and handling.

HOW WE TESTED

Each pair of thread snips was tried twice by hand beneath the same 1.57-inch (40 mm) coat button.

Both tools were used to cut the threads and remove the button. The comparison focused on blade access, positioning, and handling during removal.

EVIDENCE

SHORT THREAD SNIPS

The 1.46-inch Short blades could be positioned beneath the 1.57-inch (40 mm) coat button, but most of the blade length was hidden beneath the button.

From the lower angle, the Short Thread Snips could still be positioned beneath the button, while relatively little of the blade remained visible outside the button.

LONG THREAD SNIPS

The 1.9-inch Long blades extended beneath the same button while leaving more of the blade visible during positioning.

From the lower angle, more of the Long blades remained visible outside the button.

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WHAT WE NOTICED

The Short Thread Snips could be positioned beneath the large button, but most of the blade was hidden once they were in place. This made them harder for us to position than the Long Thread Snips.

More of the Long Thread Snips' blades stayed visible beyond the edge of the button, making it easier for us to see where the blades were positioned.

The longer tips did not catch on the surrounding coat fabric as we positioned the Long Thread Snips.

WHAT THIS TEST SUGGESTS

In this test, blade visibility appeared to be an important part of positioning. Both pairs of Thread Snips could be positioned beneath the 1.57-inch (40 mm) button, but more of the Long blades remained visible.

That additional blade visibility may have made the position of the Long Thread Snips easier for us to judge.

The Short Thread Snips could still be positioned beneath the button, so this result does not mean that Short Thread Snips cannot be used with a large button. A user who is familiar with the tool may be comfortable judging blade position even when most of the blade is hidden.

LIMITS OF THIS TEST

We tested one 1.57-inch (40 mm) coat button with one pair of Short Thread Snips and one pair of Long Thread Snips, with each tool tried twice by hand.

The result reflects our experience positioning the tools under this specific button and garment condition. User experience may also affect how easy each tool feels to position.

We did not test buttons larger than 1.57 inches (40 mm), so this test does not establish how either tool would perform as button diameter increases further.

The result should not be treated as a general rule that Long Thread Snips are better for all large buttons.

Although both tools were used to remove the button, cutting speed, comparative cutting performance, and differences in removal results were not evaluated.

Tools Used in This Test

Japanese Short Thread Snips for Sewing – High-Carbon Stainless Steel 4"

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Japanese Long Thread Snips for Sewing – High-Carbon Stainless Steel 4"

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Are Longer Thread Snips Easier to Use Under a Large Coat Button?

Are Longer Thread Snips Easier to Use Under a Large Coat Button?