Kitchen shears review and compare

04.What to look for and tips

Look for these features

• Solid construction and well balanced, with few crevices where food can accumulate.
• Smooth action The shears should open and close with little effort.
• Handles should fit your hand comfortably; if they’re too small, they’ll reduce your control and force. They should be non-slip — plastic or rubber handles tend to be best for this — otherwise it can be difficult to apply force when cutting chicken bones or other tough material. If you’re a left-hander, check the handles are suitable for you; in our test, all the models except the Messermeister DN1070 and the Victorinox 7.6350 are suitable for left-hand use.
• A bone notch on one blade helps grip poultry bones or flower stems for easier cutting.
• A lock is useful on spring-loaded models to hold the blades safely closed.
• A tightening mechanism, such as a bolt, can help keep the blades closely aligned.
• Other features can include bottle and jar openers, a nutcracker, herb stripper and screwdriver head.
• Blades should be well aligned and sharp — but don’t check with your fingers. Make sure they meet cleanly as you close them. Short blades can make cutting more difficult as you can’t get a long stroke.
• Pull-apart shears separate into two parts for easy cleaning.

For people with a disability

People with weak hands or wrists should look for these additional features:

• Large, comfortable, soft handles with grips or loops that accommodate all your fingers, so you can use your whole hand to apply force.
• A spring-loaded mechanism so the shears open by themselves. Of the tested models, the Oxo Good Grips Kitchen Scissors are worth trying, as are the Messermeister Kitchen Take-Apart Scissors DN2070, which has large comfortable handles and a smooth action, but no spring.

Looking after your shears

• Store them in a knife block or wrapped in a cloth or sheath, to protect the blades.
• Don't put them in a dishwasher (some are labelled as dishwasher safe, but even then, hand cleaning can be preferable).
• Good-quality blades can be resharpened with a steel or by a professional.