Best Kitchen Shears: A Cutting Instrument for Your Kitchen

Whether you want to cut up that chicken breast, snipe up your herbs and salads, or open up your favorite can of tuna, there is one tool that will do this better than your butcher knife ever could – a pair of kitchen shears. It might very well be the most overlooked tool in the kitchen, but you’d be surprised by the amount of convenience this tool has to offer.  

You wouldn’t be wrong to confuse shears with a pair of scissors. But much as they may look strikingly alike, they are not the same. Shears are made specifically for efficiency when cutting through tougher material like tough chicken bones and meat. They are sharp, easy to clean, durable, and have that comfortable, balanced feel in the hands that will have you cutting for hours. Out of all your kitchen equipment, a kitchen shears is just what is missing to make your arsenal complete.

Well, with all the different varieties out there today, it might be a bit hard to find the best one. Well, we’ve done our research and identified the most highly recommended shears to ultimately come up with our top list of the 10 best kitchen shears in the market today.

Top 10 Kitchen Shears of 2020 Reviewed

1. KitchenAid Classic Shears With Soft Grip

Best Kitchen Shears to Buy

This pair of kitchen shears from KitchenAid is quite possibly what you’ll find in many a household. It features stainless steel blades with micro-serrations for extra grip. Each blade is extra thick for increased cutting strength and durability. It is sharp and strong enough to cut chicken very well. The handle features a soft-grip coating for comfort and stability. And they last a pretty long time. While you can’t take it apart for cleaning, this pair is dishwasher-safe. Another drawback is that it does rust after some time if not cared for properly. The hinge also loosens after a while so make sure to tighten it from time to time.

2. MAIRICO Ultra Sharp Premium Heavy Duty Kitchen Shears and Multi-Purpose Scissors

Best Heavy Duty Kitchen Shears

When it comes to cutting raw foods in the kitchen, it is always good to arm yourself with an ultra-sharp pair of shears. The MAIRICO Ultra Sharp Premium Heavy Duty Kitchen Shears are capable of cutting herbs, fish, vegetables, chicken, poultry bones, meat, and so on. The blade is so sharp that you can use it outside the kitchen to perform tasks such as cutting paper, hard plastics, papers, and rose stems. You may also use it to crack nuts and opening bottles. On top of that, the blades cut so smoothly that you will love it.

It features a professional design that feels light, comfortable, and effortless to use. But that, in no way, makes it less capable than most of the other kitchen shears. The material is stainless steel of the highest possible quality. You will find it easy to use, given the firm, non-slip, comfortable handles with which it comes. The manufacturers of these shears are offering a 100 percent performance guarantee where you will get a full refund in case of any issues.

3. Wusthof WU5558 Kitchen Shears

Best Kitchen Shears for Cutting Chicken

Unlike the previous shears on our list, the Wusthof WU5558 Kitchen Shears does come apart for easy cleaning and sharpening. The blades are made of high carbon stainless steel which curves inward to ensure smooth cutting action. It features steel-tooth insets in the handles to enable you to open bottles and jars with the scissors. And the handles are designed for both left-hand and right-hand use. These German-made shears come with a lifetime warranty. However, the handles are a bit on the small side which makes this less than ideal if you have medium to large sized hands. The shears do rust after more than a year of regular use. The blade length is quite short.

4. OXO Good Grips Multi-Purpose Kitchen & Herbs Scissors

The OXO Good Grips Multi-Purpose Kitchen & Herbs Scissors is exactly what its name suggests. It features cushioning pads on the handles to absorb pressure and provide a better grip as well as comfort. It has hardened stainless steel blades that can easily cut through different materials such as cardboard packaging, meat, and vegetables. The micro-serrated blade reduces slipping while cutting. And then there’s the herb stripper located between the handles which effectively removes fresh herbs from their stems more easily than they would if you used your hands. Plus, for ease of cleaning and sharpening, the blades can be pulled apart. However, these scissors are hand wash only. The shears are prone to rust. Also, it doesn’t come with a blade cover for safely storing in your kitchen drawer.

5. Kershaw Taskmaster Shears

Best Kitchen Shears for Spatchcock

The Kershaw Taskmaster Shears is a pair of multifunctional kitchen shears that have more features than most of our other picks combined. The stainless steel blades are partially serrated for better grip and easily separated for cleaning and sharpening. The shears also feature a nutcracker, jar opener, lid lifter, bone notch along one blade, and two screwdriver tips. Who needs a Swiss Army Knife when you have these shears around, right? The handles feature a non-slip plastic over-mold to make them easy to grip even when your hands are wet. Plus, the blade and tang extends into the handle for increased durability. However, the handles seem to be on the small side even for smallish hands. The screwdriver tip on the end of the handle is too sharp which can be dangerous. Some find the shears too heavy.

6. Gelindo Kitchen Scissors

If you want some springing action from your kitchen shears, the Gelindo Kitchen Scissors is your best bet. These don’t look like your average kitchen shears. They look more like an opened switchblade with, quite possibly, the same sort of mechanism in place. The heavy 4mm stainless steel blade has a tang that extends until the end of the handle and triple riveted for durability.  One blade is partially serrated for scaling fish and features a bone/snail tail cutter. Also, there’s a safety lock to keep the shears closed when not in use. However, small or weak hands may not find the spring-loaded mechanism easy to use. The handles become slippery when wet. The shears are also a bit on the heavy side.

7. Kuhn Rikon Kitchen Shears 8-inch Black

You need the Kuhn Rikon Kitchen Shears 8-Inch Black shears for most of your cutting tasks. The blades are ultra-sharp, and the handles easy to grip. Once you get hold of them, the shears wouldn’t slip out of your hands until you are through with your work. The self-sharpening blades make it possible for you to use them for the longest time possible. Importantly, this pair of shears has a powerful spring, which removes the necessity of you pulling the shears apart. All you have to do is to keep pushing them together, and they will perform the work as you want it.

Additional features include a bottle opener and herb stripper. It comes with a plastic sheath in which you can safely keep it. Unlike other types of shears, this particular one only requires hand washing and drying. You wouldn’t want to buy any other pair of shears after using this one.

8. Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin L Kitchen Shears

Best Kitchen Shears for Meat

The Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin L Kitchen Shears looks like the usual kitchen shears you see in stores. However, looks can be deceiving. This German-made cutting tool features a unique design. It has one straight blade and one serrated blade which makes it easier to keep sharp and still cuts through any kind of material with ease. The handles are ergonomically designed to make them comfortable to use, no matter the hand size. And the built-in rotary between the handles help you open stubborn jar lids. However, some users find the blades a bit short for shears. The blades don’t pull apart for thorough cleaning. Also, these are prone to rust.

9. Messermeister 8-Inch Take-Apart Kitchen Scissors

The Messermeister 8-Inch Take-Apart Kitchen Scissors has been a top-rated kitchen tool in several gourmet magazines so we definitely had to check them out for our list. It didn’t disappoint. The blades, which are made of stainless steel, pull apart for easy cleaning and sharpening. The tang extends all the way to the end of the handle for better durability. Also, the scissors have plenty of features that provide multiple functions such as nutcracker, lid opener, bottle opener, bone cutter, twig cutter, and screwdriver. The handles have an ergonomic non-slip grip to provide comfort as well as cutting precision and control. However, the hinge that keeps the two blades together loosens over time which causes the blades to fall apart easily. The shears are made in China and sometimes have poorly applied finish which can lead to rust and staining.

10. R.H. Forschner by Victorinox

The R.H. Forschner by Victorinox isn’t as feature-rich as your Swiss Army Knife and some of the kitchen shears on our list. But it definitely isn’t anything to scoff at either. Made from high carbon stainless steel, the blades are extremely sharp, have excellent edge retention, and easily sharpened should the need arise. The shears feature an ergonomically designed handle for comfort and control. The materials used are of the highest quality (what else can you expect from Victorinox?) and able to withstand years of daily use without incurring deterioration or wear and tear. And you even get a built-in bottle opener between the handles. However, the main pivot bolt is made of plastic which can break more easily than metal. The blades do not pull apart for easy cleaning. And the handles are a bit on the small side.

How to Choose the Best Kitchen Shears: The Ultimate Buying Guide

Any cook worth his salt should have a good pair of kitchen shears. They’re one of the most versatile tools in the kitchen, similar to what the Swiss Army Knife is to a boy scout. You can use these shears to cut open a chicken or some prawns, snip some herbs, and even cut up some meat for  Korean BBQ night. Of course, not all kitchen shears are created equal. There are several factors that you need to consider before you’ll be able to find the right shears for the job. If you want to be able to distinguish which model is a cut above the rest, our shopping guide gives you all the information you need on how to choose the right kitchen shears for you.

Are Shears and Scissors the Same?

Shears and scissors look the same, right? Is there a difference? There are two main differences, actually. Scissor handles have equal size and symmetrical handle loops. In addition, the length of a scissor’s blade is typically 6 inches or less. Shears, on the other hand, have longer blades – 6 inches or longer. Its handles are also different. The bottom handle is larger and more oblong in shape.

Are There Different Types of Kitchen Shears?

There are, actually. You’ll find that there are specialty shears for cutting poultry which are typically longer and heavier. Kitchen snips are smaller shears which have shorter blades (around 4 to 5 inches long), making them perfect for cutting herbs. However, unless you’re a professional chef, you won’t need much more than the right pair of multipurpose kitchen shears.

What Features Should I be Looking at?

Sharpness

When it comes to kitchen shears, sharpness matters more than brand or budget. After all, that’s its main purpose. The shears should be able to cut paper and plastic quietly. It should be sharp enough to cut through raw foods like chicken. It should also be able to cut delicate herbs without juicing them.

Serrations

Small serrations on the edge of one or both the blades let you get a good grip on the material you’re cutting, reducing the chances of slippage. The Chef Remi’s Latest Kitchen Scissors features micro-serrated edges to grip food and prevent it from slipping.

Blade Weight and Length

You’ll find kitchen shears have varying lengths and weights. Choosing the right one for you is more a matter of preference than anything else. You’ll want the shears to feel balanced in your hand.

Blade and Tang

You’ll find that high-end kitchen shears have the tang extended far into the handle. This helps prevent the handles from breaking or twisting off when you’re cutting through thick material. The Kershaw Taskmaster Shears is a good example of this; its blade and tang extend far into the handle.

Fulcrum or Pivot Point

To be able to get the leverage you need to cut through dense materials like bone and cartilage, you’re going to need a lower fulcrum or pivot point.

Pull-apart Blades

A lot of kitchen shears like the OXO Good Grips Multi-Purpose Kitchen & Herbs Scissors have blades that pull apart to make them easier to clean. This is particularly important if you use shears to cut raw foods like chicken. Without thorough cleaning, the hinges will store bit and pieces of that raw food which can become a breeding ground for bacteria.

However, it is important that you make sure that the blades don’t pull apart easily since that could lead to injury. Your shears should be able to stay open at an angle of 90 degrees without pulling apart.

Should I go for Carbon Steel or Stainless?

Carbon steel is sharper and holds an edge better. They’re also much easier to sharpen. However, it can rust which is why kitchen shears made of this material are often coated with chrome, nickel, or stainless steel. The R.H. Forschner by Victorinox is made of high carbon steel.

Stainless steel, on the other hand, is rust resistant as well as stain resistant. However, it dulls quite easily requiring frequent sharpening. Some stainless steels like VG10 are comparable to carbon steel. But the cost of this kind of steel is often high. The Kershaw Taskmaster Shears is made of stainless steel.

What About the Handles?

While the blades are important, you shouldn’t forget about the handles. You won’t be using your kitchen shears no matter how sharp they are if the handles are of poor quality.

Hand Size and Strength

Kitchen shears come in all sizes. Small or weak hands need to stay away from spring-loaded handles since they’ll find them harder to open and close. The Gelindo Kitchen Scissors have spring-loaded handles and are more ideal for strong, large hands. Large handles are ideal for people with large hands and vice versa. Check if opening and closing the scissors feel right in your hand. Are the handles too big that they slip out of your hand? Or are they cramped that your fingers feel locked in place?

Comfort

Once you find the right handle size, the next step would be to gauge comfort. You want to make sure that using the scissors won’t cause hand fatigue or dig into your fingers because of the uncomfortable fit or materials. Make sure the pair you pick feels good in your hand. The KitchenAid Classic Shears With Soft Grip, for example, comes with a handle with a soft-grip coating for extra comfort.

What Other Features Should I Want?

A really good pair of kitchen shears should be multipurpose. And we don’t mean cutting through different materials. A lot of kitchen shears have added features that enable it to function as more than just a pair of cutting tools. Some like the Wusthof WU5558 Kitchen Shears have a bottle opener built in while others have a nutcracker which is helpful for cracking shells of a lobster. Choose the pair that has the extra features you think you’ll need in the kitchen.