Kitchen shears do the jobs a knife is awkward at: snipping herbs, cutting up poultry, trimming fat and opening packaging. They also get used for tasks that would dull a good knife, so a pair of shears is one of the most used tools in a drawer.
The six shears below range from pull-apart designs to heavy forged pairs. Details come from the product listings, and we have not used these shears ourselves. Check blade length, handle and cleaning notes on the product page.
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What Matters in a Pair of Shears
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Come-apart blades | The two halves separate, which makes cleaning raw-poultry residue easier |
| Serrated blade | Grips slippery skin and bones |
| Handle comfort | You use shears with force; soft grips reduce strain |
| Dishwasher safe | Convenient, but a hand wash keeps edges better |
| Built-in tools | Some pairs include a bottle opener or jar-lid lifter |
Our Six Picks
| Shears | Style | Notes from the listing |
|---|---|---|
| OXO Good Grips Multi-Purpose | Soft grip, serrated blades | Cuts herbs, poultry and more; herb scissors included |
| Wusthof Come Apart | Pull-apart | Pull-apart shears simplify cleaning |
| ZWILLING TWIN L | Heavy duty | Special formula steel, built-in bottle opener, dishwasher safe |
| Shun Multi Purpose | Detachable blades | 420J2 stainless steel, detachable blades for cleaning |
| KitchenAid All Purpose | Soft grip, with sheath | Dishwasher safe, protective sheath, about 8.7 inches |
| R.H. Forschner by Victorinox | Classic kitchen shear | Black handle |
The 6 Best Kitchen Shears
1. OXO Good Grips Multi-Purpose Kitchen Shears
Soft-grip kitchen shears with serrated stainless steel blades that the listing says cut herbs, poultry and cardboard, sold with herb scissors.
Suits: everyday cooks. Strengths: a comfortable grip and a serrated blade. Weaknesses: check cleaning notes for pull-apart. Skip it if you want forged heft.
View OXO Good Grips Multi-Purpose Kitchen Shears on Amazon
2. Wusthof Come Apart Kitchen Shears
Pull-apart kitchen shears from a German knife maker; the listing says the design simplifies cleaning.
Suits: cooks who cut a lot of raw poultry. Strengths: blades that separate for cleaning. Weaknesses: more parts to keep track of. Skip it if you want one-piece simplicity.
View Wusthof Come Apart Kitchen Shears on Amazon
3. ZWILLING TWIN L Kitchen Shears
Heavy-duty shears made from a special formula steel, with a built-in bottle opener and dishwasher-safe construction per the listing.
Suits: cooks who want a durable, forged-style pair. Strengths: a robust build and a bottle opener. Weaknesses: heavier than lightweight pairs. Skip it if you want a light pair.
View ZWILLING TWIN L Kitchen Shears on Amazon
4. Shun Multi Purpose Kitchen Shears
Heavy-duty cooking scissors in 420J2 stainless steel with detachable blades for easy cleaning, per the listing.
Suits: cooks who want pull-apart cleaning with a premium brand. Strengths: detachable blades. Weaknesses: a higher cost than basic pairs. Skip it if you want a lower-cost pair.
View Shun Multi Purpose Kitchen Shears on Amazon
5. KitchenAid All Purpose Kitchen Shears
Stainless steel shears with a soft grip handle and a protective sheath, listed as dishwasher safe and about 8.7 inches long.
Suits: a basic, affordable pair. Strengths: a sheath for storage and a soft grip. Weaknesses: not a heavy-duty pair. Skip it if you need to cut through bone often.
View KitchenAid All Purpose Kitchen Shears on Amazon
6. R.H. Forschner by Victorinox Kitchen Shear
A classic black-handled kitchen shear from a Swiss maker known for practical, no-frills tools.
Suits: cooks who want a plain, durable pair. Strengths: a simple design. Weaknesses: the listing gives few details, so check the product page. Skip it if you want pull-apart blades.
View R.H. Forschner by Victorinox Kitchen Shear on Amazon
Care and Safety
- Wash right after cutting raw poultry, and sanitize surfaces.
- Take pull-apart models apart for a full clean.
- Dry shears completely to prevent rust.
- Keep the blades covered or closed in a drawer.
Which Shears for Which Cook
- Raw poultry and easy cleaning: Wusthof Come Apart or Shun Multi Purpose.
- An everyday comfortable pair: OXO Good Grips or KitchenAid.
- Heavy duty: ZWILLING TWIN L.
- A plain classic: Victorinox.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Cutting through bone with a light pair.
- Putting every pair in the dishwasher; check the listing.
- Using shears for non-food jobs and then for food.
- Leaving them damp.
Kitchen Shears FAQ
Are kitchen shears the same as scissors?
Shears are heavier and usually built for food, often with serrated blades and a notch for bone.
Can I sharpen kitchen shears?
Some can be sharpened with the right tool, but many makers suggest replacing them. Check your manual.
Is dishwasher safe really safe?
It can be, but hand washing keeps edges and pivots in better shape.
The Short Version
For raw poultry and easy cleaning, the Wusthof Come Apart or the Shun Multi Purpose. For a comfortable all-rounder, the OXO Good Grips. For heavy duty, the ZWILLING TWIN L. For a basic pair, the KitchenAid or the Victorinox.
