Poultry shears are heavy kitchen scissors built to cut through chicken joints, backbones and thin bones. Most have a spring between the handles so the blades open on their own, and many lock shut or come apart for washing. They are the usual tool for spatchcocking a bird.
The five picks below run from a short 4 inch Henckels pair to an 11.5 inch Zwilling set and an all-metal Wolff pair. Lengths, materials and features come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these products ourselves. Claims about steel, origin and dishwasher use are the makers’ own.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Length | Longer shears give more reach and leverage |
| Spring | A spring opens the blades between cuts |
| Take-apart | Blades that separate are easier to wash |
| Lock | A lock keeps the blades closed in a drawer |
Specs at a Glance
| Shears | Size | Material | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| HENCKELS | 4 in title; 3.5 in blades | Stainless steel | Locking blades; toothed edge; dishwasher safe |
| TONMA | 10 in | AUS-8 stainless steel | One-piece all-steel; made in Japan per the maker |
| WUSTHOF | 8 x 3 in | Stainless steel | Curved blades; spring hinge; German brand |
| ZWILLING TWIN Select | 11.5 x 3.25 in | Stainless steel | Take-apart; spring; bone breaker; looped handle |
| Wolff Industries | 9 in | Metal | All metal; high leverage; ball tip; made in USA per the maker |
The 5 Best Poultry Shears
1. HENCKELS Kitchen Shears for Poultry
A compact pair with 3.5 inch stainless steel blades and a toothed edge for tough materials. The blades lock for storage, and the maker lists the shears as dishwasher safe.
Suits: a small drawer. Strengths: a locking pair at a compact size. Weaknesses: short blades. Skip it if you spatchcock large birds.
2. TONMA Poultry Shears, Made in Japan
A 10 inch pair in one-piece all-steel build. The maker says the blades use Japanese AUS-8 stainless steel and that the handles are non-slip, and lists uses from spatchcocking turkey to herbs and seafood.
Suits: a long, all-steel pair. Strengths: a solid one-piece build. Weaknesses: the listing gives no lock detail. Skip it if you want take-apart blades.
View TONMA Poultry Shears, Made in Japan, 10″ Japanese Kitchen Shears Heavy Duty on Amazon
3. WUSTHOF Poultry Shears
An 8 inch pair with slightly curved stainless steel blades and an internal spring between the handles. The maker says it handles skinning, jointing and spatchcocking, cuts thinner bones and also trims herbs and twine.
Suits: a well-known brand for chicken and herbs. Strengths: a curved blade and a spring. Weaknesses: thin bones only. Skip it if you need to cut heavy bone.
View WÜSTHOF Poultry Shears on Amazon
4. ZWILLING TWIN Select Take-Apart Poultry Shears
An 11.5 inch pair in forged stainless steel with a spring mechanism, a looped handle and a built-in bone breaker for joints and wings. The two halves separate for washing.
Suits: whole birds and holiday roasts. Strengths: length, a bone breaker and take-apart design. Weaknesses: large for small drawers. Skip it if you want a compact pair.
View ZWILLING TWIN Select Take-Apart Poultry Shears on Amazon
5. Wolff Industries Professional Poultry Shears
A 9 inch all-metal, high-leverage pair with ball tips. The listing says Wolff Industries makes it in the USA and sharpens each pair, and it is aimed at home growers, chefs and butchers.
Suits: processing your own birds. Strengths: an all-metal build with leverage. Weaknesses: no lock or take-apart claim. Skip it if you want a spring or lock.
Care and Setup
- Take apart shears with a joint and wash each blade.
- Dry them fully before storing.
- Close the lock when you put them away.
- Use a cutting board and keep your free hand clear of the blades.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Using a short pair on large turkeys.
- Cutting heavy bone with a pair meant for thin bone.
- Soaking all-metal pairs for long periods.
- Skipping the maker’s care notes on dishwashers.
Poultry Shears FAQ
How do they differ from kitchen shears?
They are heavier, often spring-loaded and meant for joints. See our kitchen shears guide for general use.
Do all of them lock?
Not all. The Henckels lists a lock. Check each listing for the others.
The Short Version
For a compact pair, the Henckels. For a long all-steel pair, the TONMA. For a curved blade, the Wusthof. For a bone breaker, the Zwilling. For an all-metal pair, the Wolff.
