Chives over an omelette, a chicken to spatchcock, a stubborn bag of frozen peas: a good pair of scissors does a lot of kitchen work, but not every pair suits every job. The right scissors cut cleanly where a knife struggles, save you a chopping board and stay sharp for longer. Here are the four types worth knowing, what each does best and how to look after them.
The short answer
- Kitchen shears are the all-rounder for food: meat, fish, herbs, pizza and packaging.
- Herb scissors with several blades chop a bunch of herbs straight over the pan, no board needed.
- Poultry shears have curved blades and long handles for cutting through joints, bone and cartilage.
- Household scissors stay out of the food: fabric, paper, cardboard and crafts.
Most kitchens get by with kitchen shears and household scissors. Here is when the others earn their place.
Kitchen shears: the everyday all-rounder
If you own one pair for cooking, make it sturdy kitchen shears. A serrated blade grips slippery meat and fish, and a solid pivot copes with small bones without working loose.
- Best for: trimming fat, bacon strips, fish fins, pizza and food packaging.
- Keep in mind: keep a cover on the blades to protect the edge and your fingers.
The Hi Nature® Kitchen Shears Pro are made from 100% high-grade stainless steel with a serrated edge for extra grip. A magnetic sheath covers the blades and sticks to any steel surface, so the shears are always within reach. They are suitable for meat and poultry and fully dishwasher safe.
Herb scissors: chopped herbs without a board
Herb scissors have several blades side by side, so every squeeze makes several cuts at once. You snip straight over the pan or plate, and the leaves are cut rather than crushed on a board.
- Best for: parsley, chives, basil, dill, coriander and spring onion.
- Keep in mind: leaves get trapped between the blades, so clean them straight after use.
The Hi Nature® 5-Blade Herb Scissors have five parallel stainless steel blades and an ergonomic soft-grip handle. A cleaning comb pushes trapped leaves out from between the blades, and a protective cover keeps them safe in the drawer.
Poultry shears: leverage for bone and joints
Poultry shears have curved blades and long handles. The handles give you leverage, so you cut through joints, bone and cartilage where a knife would slip or get stuck.
- Best for: spatchcocking a chicken, removing a backbone, portioning a roast bird and trimming game.
- Keep in mind: they are bulky, so a smaller pair is handier for delicate work.
The Hi Nature® Poultry Shears have sharp, curved, serrated stainless steel blades and long handles that are comfortable in either hand. They come with a protective cap, are dishwasher safe and double as household scissors.
Household scissors: one pair for everything else
Every home needs a pair that never touches food. Household scissors take on fabric, paper, cardboard and twine, so your kitchen shears stay clean for cooking.
- Best for: fabric for a quick repair, paper, cardboard, parcels and craft projects.
- Keep in mind: adhesive tape blunts the blades, so avoid cutting it.
The Hi Nature® Household Scissors have sharp stainless steel blades long enough for clean cuts through fabric and stiff enough for cardboard. Non-slip, soft-grip handles reduce pressure on your fingers, and the symmetrical design suits both hands.
Kitchen scissors at a glance
- Blades: serrated on kitchen and poultry shears, five blades on herb scissors, straight on household scissors.
- Power: poultry shears for bone, kitchen shears for everyday food jobs.
- Storage: the Hi Nature® kitchen shears, herb scissors and poultry shears come with a sheath, cover or cap.
- Cleaning: kitchen and poultry shears are dishwasher safe; rinse herb scissors and wipe household scissors.
Which scissors for which job?
- Spatchcocking a chicken: poultry shears.
- Bacon, fish fins and trimming fat: kitchen shears.
- Chives, parsley or basil over a dish: herb scissors.
- Pizza at the table: kitchen shears or poultry shears.
- Opening food packaging: kitchen shears.
- Fabric, paper and cardboard: household scissors.
Care: keep the blades sharp
- Clean scissors straight after use, before food dries on the pivot.
- The Kitchen Shears Pro and Poultry Shears are dishwasher safe. Dry them before the cover goes back on.
- Run the comb between the blades of herb scissors, then rinse.
- Wipe household scissors clean and dry, and keep them away from sticky tape.
- Store every pair with its cover on. Blades that knock against other tools go blunt.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between kitchen shears and normal scissors?
Kitchen shears are built for food: sturdier blades, often serrated for grip, and a pivot strong enough for small bones. Normal scissors are made for paper and fabric and are best kept away from food.
Can kitchen scissors cut through chicken bones?
Sturdy kitchen shears handle small bones and joints. For a backbone or a whole bird, poultry shears give you more leverage and a cleaner cut.
Are herb scissors worth it?
If you use fresh herbs often, yes. You chop them straight over the pan, with no board or knife to wash afterwards.
Can I put kitchen scissors in the dishwasher?
Check each pair. The Hi Nature® Kitchen Shears Pro and Poultry Shears are dishwasher safe. Whatever you use, dry the blades well before storing them.
Conclusion
There is no single pair that does it all well. Kitchen shears handle everyday food jobs, herb scissors chop herbs in seconds, poultry shears take on bone and joints, and household scissors keep paper and fabric out of the kitchen drawer. Clean them straight away, keep the covers on, and they will last.
Related Products from Hi Nature®
Find the pair that fits the way you cook:
1. Kitchen Shears Pro
- View the product
- 100% high-grade stainless steel with a serrated edge and a magnetic sheath. Suitable for meat and poultry. Dishwasher safe.
2. 5-Blade Herb Scissors
- View the product
- Five stainless steel blades with a soft-grip handle, a cleaning comb and a protective cover.
3. Poultry Shears
- View the product
- Curved, serrated stainless steel blades for joints and bone, with a protective cap. Dishwasher safe.
4. Household Scissors
- View the product
- Sharp stainless steel blades with a non-slip grip for fabric, paper and cardboard. Suitable for both hands.