The Best Kitchen Shears Test Kitchen To Buy of 2021

One of the most used utensils in a kitchen is a pair of kitchen shears since it serves several functions, even those it wasn’t designed for. In any basic kitchen plan, this wonderfully-used tool is likely to have a spot.

Most folks find them handy when it comes to opening plastic food packaging and other everyday household duties. Also, this tool can be used to cut up smaller vegetables, herbs, and protein.

However, choosing the right one for your kitchen can be challenging, considering the tons of options out there. Nevertheless, we’ve expertly handpicked the best kitchen shears America’s test kitchen and discussed blow-by-blow how to choose the perfect food shear.

Reviews of The Best Kitchen Shears America’s Test Kitchen

Here are top rated kitchen shears on the market today by consumer reports

1. Kai 7250 10 Inch Professional Shears

When it comes to cutting thicker or more difficult materials with ease, the Kai 7250 10-inch professional shears is a winner. This unit, like other 7000 series, features high carbon, hardened stainless steel construction to offer impressive edge retention and sharpness.

The addition of carbon gives Kai 7250 10 Inch Professional Shears a finer, sharper edge for a steeper cutting angle. Giving its robust construction, this model will cut through thicker fabric effortlessly. Plus, it’s easier to use. 

The blade length is 10-inch long, which is ideal for looking to use this shear for sewing purposes.

Pros:

• High carbon stainless steel blades
• Smooth cutting action
• Superior cutting on all materials
• Steeper and sharper edge
• Brilliant weight balance

Cons:

• On the pricey side

2. OXO 1072121 Good Grips Multi-Purpose Kitchen & Herbs Scissors

If you are anything like me, who wants to get the cutting done quickly, then purchasing OXO 1072121 Good Grips Multi-Purpose Kitchen & Herbs Scissors is a decent decision. With this model, you can easily cut up chicken breast, prep your greens for salads, and do lots more.

This pair of multipurpose scissors isn’t one of the fancy or high-priced models, but it’s quite handy for basic, everyday use. So this product from OXO is definitely a win for me.

Not only are they affordable, but this pair of snips also comes with cushioned pads for super comfort when using it to cut through materials. It also features a micro-serrated blade to make gripping to slippery materials for the hassle-free cutting experience.

That’s not all: this unit is super versatile, which means it can cut vegetables, flowers, meat, fabrics, and a lot more seamlessly.

Pros:

• Hardened Stainless steel blades
• Super versatility
• Cushioning pads for comfortable use
• Micro-serrated blade for better grips

Cons:

• Likely to separate unintentionally

3. KitchenAid KC351OHAQA Classic Kitchen Shears

For people not looking to break a bank on kitchen shears without compromising functionality, then KitchenAid KC351OHAQA Classic Kitchen Shears should be on top of your list. This model strikes an excellent balance between high-quality and affordability.

Aside from coming from a brand name to trust, this pair of kitchen shears offers brilliant versatility. It is able to cut almost anything in your kitchen seamlessly. It’s a cheap pair of shears for people looking to try out a shear or don’t cook often.

It comes with a soft-grip hand that won’t hurt your hands while cutting. On top of that, they are dishwasher safe and equipped with extra thicker blades for durability and strength. Like most products from KitchenAid, this pair of shears are available in a wide variety of colors.

Pros:

• Includes protective, plastic blade guard
• Stainless steel resisting rusting.
• Comfortable grip handle
• Dishwasher safe
• Enhanced cutting performance with micro-serrated edges

Cons:

• Screw might loosen often

4. OXO Good Grips Spring-Loaded Poultry Shears

If cooking chicken is something you do regularly, then investing in a pair designed with the task in mind is a smart decision. In our opinion, there’s no better tool than OXO Good Grips Spring-Loaded Poultry Shears.

While most multipurpose kitchen snips will get the job done, this pair will cut through chicken easily, quickly, and safer. It’s equipped with a sharp, perfectly-tapered stainless steel blade, offering easy access even to those difficult-to-reach areas.

What’s more? The handles feature load spring to avoid hand strain while cutting with this model. These shears also offer precise cutting and feature a no-slip grip. More so, it comes with a handle lock to ensure your kiddos are safe when they are on their own in your kitchen.

Pros:

• Ideal shear for cutting chicken
• sharp, stainless-steel blades
• Spring-loaded handle for preventing hand strain

Cons:

• Not dishwasher safe

5. Gidli Kitchen Shears Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Multipurpose

When it comes to versatility and heavy-duty, this multipurpose pair of shears from Gidli is a go-to. It’s designed to crack nuts, open a bottle cap, and cut seafood.

With such high functionality, Gidli Kitchen Shears Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Multipurpose is guaranteed to last.

This product is not only one of the sharpest snips on the market, but it brings lots of handy functions to the table. This professional-grade product is made with heavy-duty stainless steel, which makes it incredibly durable and long-lasting.

Pros:

• Ergonomic handles
• Dishwasher friendly
• Sturdy stainless steel construction
• Impressive versatility
• Lifetime guarantee

Cons:

• No special case to hold them

6. J.A. Henckels International Kitchen Shears

This model is made with high quality corrosion-resistant stainless steel to ensure longevity and durability. J.A. Henckels International Kitchen Shears features a micro-serrated blade edge for the sake of slip-proof cutting experience.

In terms of versatility, this pair of shear isn’t lacking. Users can open bottle caps using the center area between the blade and handle. Also, the handle has serrated areas, which works as a nutcracker and comes in handy for opening screw caps effortlessly.

Pros:

• Corrosion-resistant
• Slip-proof cutting
• No stain steel blades
• Dishwasher safe
• Lifetime limited warranty

Cons:

• Some oxidation with the product

7. Fiskars 510021 Fast-prep Herb Shears

This model features a unique design that helps optimize the power of your index finger and thumb to improve control. The blade is made of stainless steel to ensure it remains sharp and makes clean cuts through heavy use.

Its spring-action keeps the shear open automatically after each cut to minimize hand strain.

Pros:

• Full lifetime warranty
• Stainless steel blade
• Spring-action design

Cons:

• Blade length is a bit small.

8. Chefast Herb Scissors Set

This is another product with a lifetime replacement warranty and a standard 30-day refund guarantee. Chefast Herb Scissors Set offers a perfect balance of value and performance.

This shear offers a safe cover and a cleaning comb. It comes with an ergonomic TPR handle to provide a slip-proof and total control for a seamless experience.

Pros:

• Cleanup is a breeze
• Quality stainless steel construction
• Slip-proof ergonomic handle

Cons:

• Poor quality control

9. Fiskars 3 Piece Heavy-Duty, All-Purpose Kitchen Shears Set

Last but the least, the Fiskars 3 Piece Fast-Prep Kitchen Shears Set is an ideal pick for cutting twine, fruit, packaging, herbs, vegetables, bones, and meat. This set includes fast-prep herb shears, all-purpose kitchen shears, and heavy-duty butter shears with stealth.

The blade features mini serration for a better grip and stainless steel blade for cleaner cuts and remains sharp through heavy use.

Pros:

• Superior cutting performance
• Serrated blade for secure grip
• Offers cleaner cut

Cons:

• Falls apart with time

Key Features to Consider When Purchasing the best kitchen shears america’s test kitchen

Lower Pivot Point, or Fulcrum

Shears with the pivot point further down the blade are able to cut through denser materials like cartilage or bone with ease. Most kitchen snips should have a shorter blade compared to scissors and the rivet not too far from the blades to allow users to exert the much-needed force for an effortless snipping experience.

Adjustable Pivot Screw

Most kitchen shears on the market do not come with an adjustable screw for loosening or tightening tension, except they are professional-grade models. Without this feature, there’s a tendency that you might have a loose pivot, and when you exert pressure, the shear might pop apart.

This is because they come apart easily to make cleaning a breeze. One of the blades features a notch to slip over the fixed fulcrum. However, in lower quality sets of kitchen snips, the fit might not be very precise.

Handles and Blades – All in One

For most high-end shears, the tang and blade feature a one-piece design extending into the handle, which prevents the handles from twisting out or breaking off when cutting through denser materials such as bones.

Balance

Models with a one-piece design offer an even balance when holding them around the middle point with a finger or two. On the other hand, models that tip toward the blade end often come with lightweight handles that cracks or break with time.

Stainless vs. Carbon Steel

Most professional-grade cutters will feature a carbon steel construction to hold the edge better than its counterpart. Not only that, but carbon-steel kitchen shears are also much sharper and easy to sharpen. However, they tend to rush, which is why the best kitchen shears America’s Test kitchen should come with a stainless, nickel, or chrome coating.

On the flip, the stainless construction is stain and rust resistant, but this alloy does a poor job of holding the edge and gets blunt in a short while. However, there are special stainless steels like VG10, which have been modified to offer better edge retention and stay sharper for a longer period. Unfortunately, sets of kit snips featuring these special stainless steel come with a salty price sticker.

Separating Blades

This is another must-have feature for people looking to cut through fish, meat, poultry, and other food products. Sanitation is important, which means the product should be easy to come apart for thorough cleaning.

For me, it’s a deal-breaker, since food particles left in the pivot screw are a perfect spot for breeding bacteria. Even better, it makes sharpening the blade no sweat.

Serrated Edges

A mini serration on one or both edges of the blades makes gripping slippery materials effortless and straightforward.

Designed for Right and Left-Handed Use

Lots of kitchen snippers are designed to offer proper balance allowing both right and left-handed users to use the tool with ease. Nevertheless, for left-handed users, you should keep an eye out for models supporting ambidextrous use.

Comfort

The best kitchen shear should come with either synthetic or rubber grip to offer more comfort and ease when cutting through denser, challenging materials. Plus, they attenuate slipping, especially when you’ve got wet hands.

Handle Size

You lean towards a pair of the cutters that sits well in your palm. The product should offer more room for a proper grip.

Versatility

While shears are handy for cutting food materials, they also come with extra features such as notch on the handles to open jars, a center toothed grip to break bones, bottle opener, a screwdriver tip, and many more – making this tool quite handy.

FAQs about Kitchen Shears

1. What is the difference between kitchen shears and scissors?

Scissors and shears are common cutting tools. However, most people wonder about how they differ from each other.

While both cutting tools appear alike – two blades and handles, they differ in terms of the length of the blade, size, and shape of the handles.

Scissors feature equally-sized handles and symmetrical handle loops with a blade length, not more than 6 inches. For shears, the length of the blade is at least 6 inches, with a larger, more oblong-shaped handle. However, kitchen snip is an exception since it has a shorter blade of 4 to 5 inches to deliver the right amount of force and leverage.

Other exceptions include specialty cutlers for herbs, fish, and poultry. Thus, you consider these features when trying to pin down the right tool to suit your needs badly.

2. What is the use of kitchen shears?

Kitchen shears can be used to trim off skin or fat, dice raw meat, snip herbs, cut slices of pizza, shape dough, crack nuts and shells, and many more.

Different Ways to Use Your Kitchen Shears by video

Conclusion 

With our detailed buying guide and expertly handpicked top 9 best kitchen shears America’s Test Kitchen, you should be able to make the right choice.