The Twin L pair measures seven inches and weighs four ounces. Though these are dishwasher safe, handwashing is recommended. Made in Germany, they come with a limited lifetime warranty. While most scissors can be used by both right- or left-handed people, if you’re left-handed you may want to consider purchasing a pair that have handles and blades designed specifically for you. Miyabi’s shears are skillfully crafted of high-grade Japanese stainless steel for long-lasting sharpness and excellent cutting accuracy, and they are designed with large, D-shaped handles for a roomy, secure grip.

This provides a better grip on slippery materials like fish, poultry skins, and silver skin when cutting. Care and Maintenance When the handles of a pair of scissors are squeezed, the two cutting edges are pressed together – the cut happens where the blades meet. But when held in the non-dominant hand, the squeezing action actually pushes the blades apart, resulting in off-center, messy cuts. Wusthof’s robust come-apart kitchen shears are made of high-carbon stainless steel for excellent and long-lasting sharpness.There are some downsides to this beautiful pair of shears, however. The fulcrum of the shears isn’t very low, so maintaining balance and creating more leverage while using them was a bit difficult. While cutting a pizza with these, we weren't able to maintain a smooth cutting motion. While fabricating poultry with these shears, we felt that the grip was uncomfortable and slippery. The cuts were clean, but required more force, which resulted in the grip being a bit uncomfortable. Still, the shears worked great on herbs, twine, parchment paper, rosemary stems, and even flower stems and provided nice clean cuts without too much pressure or force. Even if your kitchen is equipped with a full set of knives, chances are, there are going to be instances when using a pair of shears is the better option. Don’t worry—shears aren’t nearly as expensive as kitchen knives; Plus, they’re quite easy to use and they offer a multitude of convenient uses. From cutting herbs and produce to slicing through pizza, quesadillas, meats, shellfish, and fine bones, shears can accomplish plenty of useful kitchen tasks. Let’s take a look at the features you’ll see in the various models available today, starting with the materials the blades are made from. Carbon Steel vs. Stainless Steel Kitchen scissors or shears can be a cook’s best friend – with a variety of uses including cutting up vegetables, herbs, and meat, trimming pastry, and even for slicing delicate cake layers. They can often be used to create a more precise cut than using a kitchen knife alone. The Cuisinart shears measure nine and three-quarter inches in length and weigh six ounces. They come with a limited one-year warranty and are made in China. Hand wash only.

Shears that come apart are essential. They're easier to clean, and they allow you to sharpen the blades when they dull over time.These shears excelled at cutting herbs. We used them to chop down some chives for garnish and the cuts were neat without much bruising. The cutter blade is sharp and the blades are held together with a medium tension at the fulcrum, which resulted in improved maneuverability. While they aren't technically dishwasher safe, we ran them through a few cycles anyway and found they didn't lose any sharpness. Look out for a come-apart design so that you can also use the blades for peeling and scraping. They’ll be much more convenient for thorough and safe cleaning in the dishwasher too. For blades constructed of carbon steel, wipe with a lightly oiled cloth after each wash and dry promptly. They measure eight inches in length and weigh four ounces. Hand washing is recommended. Made in China, they come with a limited lifetime warranty.

Before purchasing a pair, it’s important to consider what sorts of tasks you’ll be using your shears for, how much you’re willing to spend, and if you plan to sharpen them yourself or have them professionally sharpened. There are many articles out there that suggest all kinds of DIY ways to sharpen your shears, from sandpaper to glass bottles to aluminum foil. While I'm not denying that some of these methods might work for some, the bottom line is that you run the risk of ruining your equipment doing stuff like this. To me, the possible advantage of slightly sharper shears is not worth the risk of totally ruining my shears. You don't need to spend a ton of money: Although we tested a couple of pricier models, we found that more budget-conscious kitchen shears performed just as well—if not better. Scissors typically have blades less than six inches in length, with symmetrical handles of equal size that accommodate a thumb and a single finger. Another useful feature to watch out for is that the scissors have separating blades. This means that the blades can be used for peeling or scraping, and then cleaned separately and more thoroughly after use for maximum hygiene. Are you left-handed?Material – because kitchen scissors or shears need to be washed often to keep them sanitary, it’s important to find scissors made from a material which is not prone to rust or corrosion. Stainless steel is a good option because it has a layer to protect against rust. Here at Mumsnet we know what it’s like when an essential piece of kit like your scissors goes walkabout, so a busy family home definitely needs more than one pair.