To think that when we were kids, scissors were nothing more than a play toy. In fact, I bet scissor handling was one of the first lessons you learned in preschool, way before you even knew the depth of how important they really were. Now, both professionals and novice cooks rely on the best kitchen shears to do pretty much everything around the kitchen.
Sure, you could easily use a boning knife to break down a chicken, but having the best shears will get the job done better. And quite well too, might I add. And thanks to the training you got when you were a toddler, you’re less likely to cut yourself.
In this article, we'll review the top kitchen shears models available today. We'll also tell you what factors to consider when looking for this kitchen utensil. Let's cut to the chase.
1) Chef Remi Multi-Purpose Utility Shears
Whether you are a whiz in the kitchen or a walking disaster, a good pair of shears will make preparing delicious meals easier. And the Chef Remi set is the place to start.
Featuring micro-serrated blade edges designed to grip onto even the slipperiest of foods, these ingenious pair are the perfect ally to make a wholesome meal within no time at all.
The Chef Remi shears boast an ultra-sharp, stainless steel corrosion-resistant blades that stay sharp for years and years to come and ergonomic handles that ensure that you’re as comfortable as ever the whole time you’re squeezing the shears. Plus, they are a smart solution for elderly people or those that have arthritis issues.
Best Features
- Comfortable easy-grip handles that make food preparation a breeze.
- Sharp stainless-steel blades that make food prep a snip.
- Chef Remi is awfully versatile and so whether its poultry shears, meat scissors, nutcracker, or all-purpose utility scissors you're looking for, it won't let you down.
- Interchangeable handles make it easy to use, for both right- and left-handed cooks.
2. Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin L Kitchen Shears
Synonymous with quality, the Zwilling J.A. Henckels International is a gold-standard trademark for premium quality cookware, cutlery and kitchen tools around the world. These kitchen shears are no exception.
While they can only offer to help with small tasks, they're still worth the investment. The blades are of the highest quality and firmly secured.
They're also compact enough to take up minimal drawer space. The Twin L Shears have a remarkable sense of convenience that you’ll no doubt appreciate. Not to mention, they also feature a nifty bottle cap opener integrated to the handle for all your bottle-opening needs.
Best Features
- Spacious cushioned handles for comfort and control.
- Easy to clean.
- Safe for handwashing and the dishwasher.
3. Kitchen Aid Kitchen Shears
Being the iconic brand that it is, it makes perfect sense that the KitchenAid Soft Grip Shears make it to fourth place on our list today.
KitchenAid’s soft grip shears get everything right. You can say that they are a sworn winner from the get-go. Featuring micro-serrated blades for enhanced cutting action, you cannot only cut through dry foods seamlessly, but you’ll also have no trouble cutting through wet slippery foods either.
The pair of scissors for the kitchen also features stainless steel blades that resist corrosion and comfortable handles that ensure maximum comfort. This means you don't have to do handwashing; putting them in the dishwasher is perfectly okay.
Available in four different colors, this bargain-priced pair of shears make the perfect ally for someone looking to do basic kitchen tasks. Nothing too complex.
Best Features
- They are dishwasher safe.
- The blades keep sharp for long.
- Extra thick for added strength and durability.
4. Oxo Good Grips Spring-Loaded Poultry Kitchen Shears
This odd-looking pair of kitchen shears has been specifically designed to handle poultry. You can nail even the trickiest of cuts, thanks to the curved tapered blade design.
But that's not all you can do with them. You also get the versatility of cutting flowers, twine, snipping vegetables, cutting through all kinds of meat, opening boxes, and cutting paper, of course.
The micro-serrated blades grip onto items securely to prevent slipping. They have a soft, plush comfortable handles that help make your work easier. Plus, since the blades can come apart, cleaning them is much easier. You'll just have to wash the two blades individually.
As if all that weren't enough, the handle is loaded with springs to take away the discomfort from cutting through hard foods.
Best Features
- Blades come apart, making them easy to clean.
- Micro-serrated blades that grip onto foods and stuff securely.
- Cushioning pads on the grip absorb the pressure so that you can prepare food with ease.
5. Wusthof WU5558-1 Come-Apart Kitchen Shears
The Wusthof kitchen shears live up to the company's pristine reputation. They're easy to use, very handy, and even more durable.
These powerful 8-inch shears cut anything from string to skin in a snip. They are well balanced and easily interchangeable to make it easier for both right-handed and left-handed users.
The serrated blades help it prevent slippage and provide a better grip. So much so that we're certain that these multiuse shears will no doubt find many uses around your kitchen. As an added perk, the shears can come apart for easy cleaning. Perfect, right?
Best Features
- Pull apart the blades for easy cleaning and sharpening them an easy task.
- It triples as a regular pair of shears, a bottle opener, and a jar opener.
6. Fiskars Fast-Prep Herb Shears
For those who want kitchen shears that are both reliable and spectacular, you can have it all with the Fiskars Fast Prep pair of herb kitchen scissors.
These unique-looking kitchen scissors are engineered to put speed and control at your fingertips, thus making meal prep a breeze.
The shears also have a unique spring-action design that makes every stroke of blades virtually effortless and they are also quite easy to clean.
Best Features
- Full lifetime warranty.
- Spring-action design that automatically opens the shears after each cut to reduce hand strain.
- Soft grip touch points that enhance comfort.
- Sharp stainless-steel blades that make clean cuts.
7. Mairico Ultra Sharp Premium Heavy-Duty Kitchen Shears
According to Mairico, the Mairico Ultra Sharp Premium Heavy-Duty shears are the best professional shears you’ll find on the market. And we'll have to agree. Delivering impeccable performance and high quality both inside and outside the kitchen, this beautiful high-quality kitchen shears pair is a cut above the rest when it comes to getting the job done.
We love how affordable these kitchen shears are. But that doesn't mean they're made of low-quality materials—quite the opposite.
The blades are extra sharp to deliver precise cuts with minimal effort and quite versatile too meaning you can do pretty much anything from cutting vegetables, meat, fresh herbs, fish and butterflying a chicken. In fact, we think that these are the best kitchen shears for cutting chicken. So, if you need shears for poultry, try these.
As an extra perk, you can also use it to open bottles and crack nuts too, which means you get more than what you paid for.
Best Features
- Mairico shears are quite durable.
- Ultra-sharp blades that deliver precise cuts with minimal efforts.
- The handles are ergonomically designed to provide a comfortable grip.
- It is super light which helps make performing your chores effortless.
Best Kitchen Shears Buying Guide
With top-rated kitchen shears, all components work together to give you a remarkable experience. Here are some things that you need to keep an eye out for when making a purchase decision.
Sharpness
The best kitchen shears are designed to cut through some very tough foods, so it definitely goes without saying that you want to find yourself kitchen shears that can debone, snip and cut through stuff without any problems. And just as with knives, some are no doubt better than others in terms of overall sharpness.
However, like chef’s knives, most shears are made from high-carbon stainless steel, which is designed to stay sharp. And if they don’t, you can always sharpen them using a wet stone or knife sharpener.
On top of that, kitchen shears that have a sharp built-in jar opener/bottle opener are even more versatile and useful.
Pull-Apart Blades
Most shears have a pull-apart feature which makes it easy to unlatch the blades. This feature is often added to make the thorough cleaning process a tad bit easier – and it does.
However, there has to be a balance. If the blades come apart easily, it’s going to be difficult to use and a tad more dangerous. If it’s too tight, you might have a little more trouble pulling them apart for easy cleaning purposes.
So, if you’re intent about buying shears with pull-apart blades, make sure they are well constructed so that they still open well enough without falling apart.
Hand Size and Strength
Once you've figured out the size, weight, and model you want to buy, it makes total sense to think about how comfortable the shears will be in your hands. Or if it's even the right fit for your hands.
If you have fairly small hands, you should avoid shears with spring-loaded handles because they can be a bit difficult to open and close up meaning that you'll end up getting your hands fatigued.
People with big hands are not off the hook either. Having large handles is barely enough. They need to be made of a comfortable material and fit just right so that they don't slip out of your hand.
Price
You can find shears that fit just about any budget.
- Basic shears cost under $15.00. And while most bargain shears are likely to be of lower quality, there are some pretty decent shears that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
- Middle range shears, which cost between $20.00 to $30.00, tend to be of much more decent quality.
- For the utmost quality, you’re sure to part with a little more. Say $30.00 and above. A luxury kitchen shear like this will probably be made of fine materials that should last for years to come.
Comfort
Cooking is hard enough without the added stress of fighting hand fatigue caused by cramped and uncomfortable kitchen shear handles. So, once you find shears in the correct size, you need to ensure that the handles are comfortable enough for use.
Blade Weight and Length
Shears come in varying lengths and weights. If possible, hold the shears in your hands and find kitchen shears with just the right kind of balance before making a purchase.
Kitchen Shears Style
Kitchen shears come in a myriad of different styles. So, depending on your preference, you can choose one that speaks to you aesthetically.
Serrations
Most shears have either serrated blades or fine blades for that fine cut. It is important to look for blades with small serrations because they provide a little more grip especially when you’re cutting slippery items.
Durability
Well-constructed kitchen shears can last you years and years. The reverse is also true for a pair made with low-quality materials. If you do not wish to replace your shears after every few months, your best bet would be to keep an eye out for durability.
Kitchen Shears: Frequently Asked Questions
Are there different shears for cutting different foods?
Yes. There are poultry shears which are typically longer and heavier than regular shears. Then there are much smaller shears which perform much smaller tasks like snipping fresh herbs. And lastly, there are special shears for proteins and fish.
However, unless you are a professional chef, you will do just fine with one good kitchen shears pair of multi-use kitchen shears.
What do you use a kitchen shear for?
There are plenty of things you can do with shears around the kitchen. However, the most obvious uses include deboning poultry, snipping fresh herbs, and cutting open food packaging.
Kitchen shears are not your typical kitchen or steak knives. You might not even like them much at first. But take my word for it; good shears will save you a lot of heartache around the kitchen. They are efficient, reliable and a jack of all trades which is exactly what you need to make meal prep a seamless task. And the best thing is that they come in a variety of designs which means you can find the best kitchen sheers that suit your fancy quite easily.
