Scissors vs. Shears: Know your Tools

Scissors and shears are cutting tools, commonly used in everyday life and introduced at a fairly young age. Though they look similar in appearance and are commonly referred to interchangeably, scissors and shears are actually two distinct types of tools intended for different applications. Learn more about the difference between the two, and which is the best tool for your specific job.

Scissors feature finger holes, equal in size for the user’s thumb and a single finger. The blade is traditionally less than six-inches in length. They are a multi-use tool; however, some scissors are specifically designed for unique applications such as kitchen scissors for cutting herbs. They are most commonly used around the home, school or office for light material such as twine, paper or thread.

Shears feature two finger holes – one smaller for the thumb, and the other larger with room for 3-4 fingers. Some varieties feature large handles that can be held with the entire palm to help maintain a greater amount of cutting force. Blades are usually more than six-inches in length, and are intended to cut tough or hard materials such as fabric, metal or greenery in the garden. Shears are also commonly used in the food processing industry, with some varieties developed for specific applications such as poultry shears.

Both shears and scissors are available in a bent or straight variety. Bent shears and scissors feature handles at an angle from the blades, while straight options have the handles and blades aligned.

At Bunzl Processor Division, we are happy to provide a wide selection of shears for food processing and other tough-jobs. We also offer a variety of shear sharpeners to help keep your blades in like-new condition. For more information on shears, and finding the right option for the job, don’t hesitate to click the icon on the bottom right corner of your screen to chat with us, or call 800-456-5624 to speak with a product specialist.

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