8 Different Types of Scissors: the Ultimate Guide

introduction

Scissors are an indispensable tool in our daily life and work, and there are many different types of scissors for us to use. Different types of scissors have different uses, cutting paper, cutting fabric, trimming flowers and plants, etc. Understanding the different types of scissors will ensure that you choose the right scissors for your needs. In this guide, we will explore the various types of scissors, their specific uses, and their advantages and disadvantages.

8 different types of scissors

What do you usually use scissors for? Making crafts, handling food, cutting fabrics, or cutting paper at school or the office. For different uses, different types of scissors can be used. Let’s learn about 8 different types of scissors that are commonly used in our daily life.

1. Craft Scissors

Craft scissors are versatile cutting tools designed for a variety of crafting projects. They are commonly used for cutting paper, fabric, card stock, and other materials in crafting, scrapbooking, and DIY projects. Craft scissors often come with specialized features to help create intricate shapes, detailed cuts, and decorative edges, having a good pair of craft scissors can make your projects more precise and enjoyable.

An in-depth look

Handle Material: Rubber, Plastic, Stainless Steel
Blade Material: Stainless Steel
Blade Edge: Straight
Style: Classic, Modern
Color: Red, Green, Blue
Hand Orientation: Ambidextrous
Special Features: Variety of Blade Designs, Compact Size
Uses: Crafting, Scrapbooking

Pros

Craft scissors provide precise cutting.
Craft scissors can be used on paper, card stock, fabric, and even thin plastic.
Craft scissors come in a variety of designs to suit different crafting needs.
Ergonomic handles.

Cons

Craft scissors are not suitable for cutting thicker or tougher materials.

Product Recommendation: Westcott Micro-Tip Craft Scissors

Westcott micro-tip craft scissors are small types of scissors, which are perfect for light-duty applications like cutting wire, ribbon, and photos. The patented titanium micro-tip blades provide clean, precise cuts, and the scissors have a soft handle that allows you to use them without getting tired.

Features:

Westcott micro-tip craft scissors feature patented titanium blades for exceptional sharpness and precision.

Available in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Lightweight, durable, and comfortable.

Suitable for embroidery, paper, thin cardboard, and many other uses.

2. General Purpose Scissors

General-purpose scissors are everyday scissors designed for a wide range of cutting tasks. These versatile tools are typically found in homes, offices, schools, and workshops due to their ability to cut through a variety of materials, from paper and fabric to plastic and cardboard. While not specialized for any one particular task, general-purpose scissors are an essential tool for daily use and can handle most routine cutting needs.

An in-depth look

Handle Material: Rubber, Plastic, Stainless Steel, Titanium
Blade Material: Stainless Steel, Titanium
Blade Edge: Straight
Style: All Purpose
Color: Black, Red, Green, Blue, White
Hand Orientation: Ambidextrous
Special Features: Sharp blades, All Purpose uses
Uses: Paper, fabric, plastic, and lightweight cardboard

Pros

General-purpose scissors are ideal for cutting a broad range of materials such as paper, fabric, plastic, and thin cardboard.
General-purpose scissors are usually affordable and easy to find in most stores.
General-purpose scissors are simple types of scissors that are easy to use.

Cons

General-purpose scissors are not suitable for detail projects(e.g., crafting or intricate sewing).

Product Recommendation: Fiskars All Purpose Scissors

Fiskars all-purpose scissors feature durable stainless steel blades that are extremely durable and sharp and can cut to the tip. Fiskars all-purpose scissors are suitable for cutting a variety of materials such as paper, cardboard, crafts, stationery, etc. The ergonomic handle has a SoftGrip that is designed and very comfortable to use. Fiskars all-purpose SoftGrip scissors feature a reliable, comfortable design that allows you to complete a variety of office and home tasks.

Features:

Fiskars all-purpose scissors have ergonomically sculpted handles.

Fiskars all-purpose scissors are ideal for cutting a wide variety of materials.

Durable stainless steel blades hold their sharp edge for lasting performance.

3. Grooming scissors

Grooming scissors are specialized scissors designed for trimming and grooming hair, fur, and other personal care tasks. Commonly used for cutting hair on pets or for detailing facial hair, eyebrows, and even cutting nails, these scissors have unique features to ensure precision and safety. The grooming scissors are great for barbers, and pet hair trimming.

An in-depth look

Handle Material: Stainless Steel
Blade Material: Stainless Steel, Alloy Steel
Blade Edge: Straight, Curved
Style: Curved, Professional
Color: Silver
Hand Orientation: Ambidextrous
Special Features: Fine, Sharp Blades, Curved Blades (Optional)
Uses: Trim hair on the nose, ear, face, and eyebrows.

Pros

Fine blades of grooming scissors for precise trimming.
Rounded or blunt tips reduce the risk of accidental cuts.
Lightweight and ergonomic handles to minimize hand stress.
Grooming scissors can be used for a variety of hair-trimming tasks.

Cons

High-quality grooming scissors are more expensive compared to regular scissors.
Grooming scissors are designed only for grooming and personal care.

Product Recommendation: Utopia Care Grooming Scissors

Made of stainless steel, with sharp blades, Utopia Care Grooming Scissors can be used as hairdressing scissors and beard trimmers, allowing you to easily trim hair, as well as hair on the nose, ears, face, and eyebrows. The non-slip, easy-to-grip handle design allows you to maintain a good balance when using it. The small grooming scissors can be easily put into a bag and are easy to carry.

Features:

High-quality grooming scissors are durable and can be used by grooming professionals for a long time.

The grooming scissors have a humanized non-slip, easy-to-grip handle design.

The sharp blade of grooming scissors allows you to trim hair easily.

4. Pinking shears

Pinking shears are the types of scissors with serrated teeth. These types of scissors can cut a zigzag pattern. These types of scissors can also be used for decorative cutting and can cut a variety of patterns, such as arches, saw teeth of different aspect ratios, or asymmetrical teeth. Sawtooth shears can cut a variety of materials such as cloth, leather, paper, plastic, etc. Sawtooth shears are very useful for unfinished fabric edges, preventing the braid from unraveling and minimizing wear and tear.

An in-depth look

Handle Material: Stainless Steel, Leather, Plastic
Blade Material: Stainless Steel, Alloy Steel
Blade Edge: Serrated
Style: Art Deco, Classic
Color: Multicolored
Hand Orientation: Ambidextrous
Special Features: Zigzag-shaped, serrated blades
Uses: Fabrics, Linings, Paper, Leather, PU and Craft Uses

Pros

The serrated edges of pinking shears help prevent the fabric from fraying.
The zigzag cuts are great for craft projects, quilting, and custom clothing designs.
Pinking shears allow for quick edge finishing.
Pinking shears can be used on fabric, paper, and lightweight plastics.
The ergonomic design of many pinking shears ensures comfort.

Cons

Pinking shears are not as effective on very thick or heavy fabrics.
Pinking shears can not eliminate the possibility of threads coming undone.

Product Recommendation: JISTL Pinking Shears

JISTL pinking shears are made of high-quality hardened stainless steel with sharp blades and ergonomically comfortable handles to prevent hand fatigue and soreness. JISTL pinking shears are ideal for fabric, lining, paper, leather, PU, ribbon, and other materials, and can cut out serrated decorative edges. Whether it is a professional tailor or home use, it is a very convenient pair of scissors.

Features:

JISTL pinking shears are made of stainless steel and have sharp blades.

With these types of scissors, you can cut the edges of the fabric without fraying.

The strong stainless steel blades give you an even, serrated cut.

JISTL pinking shears are bigger and heavier than ordinary scissors.

5. Kitchen Scissors

Kitchen scissors are types of scissors that are versatile and can cut far more than regular scissors. Their sharp blades can easily crack nuts, scale fish, cut meat and vegetables, cut bones, and some kitchen scissors even have a bottle opener design to open wine bottles. The ergonomic design also makes you feel very comfortable when using kitchen scissors.

An in-depth look

Handle Material: Stainless Steel, Leather, Plastic
Blade Material: Stainless Steel
Blade Edge: Serrated
Style: Shears, Classic
Color: Multicolored
Hand Orientation: Ambidextrous
Special Features: micro-serrations
Uses: Food for vegetables, fruits, meat, and more

Pros

Kitchen scissors can handle many tasks, from cutting meat and fish to chopping herbs and opening packaging.
The sharp, durable blades of kitchen scissors can cut through chicken bones or trim fat.
Using kitchen scissors can be quicker than using a knife for opening packages.
Many kitchen scissors are dishwasher-safe, making them simple to clean after use.

Cons

Kitchen scissors are not precise types of scissors, not suitable for fine or small, intricate cuts.

Product Recommendation: KitchenAid Kitchen Scissors

KitchenAid Kitchen Scissors are made of stainless steel, making them very durable for everyday use. They come with a comfortable handle that won’t hurt your hands, and a built-in blade guard adds an extra layer of safety. The blades of these kitchen scissors are micro-serrated and can be used to cut a variety of foods, including vegetables, meat, pizza, and more. These types of scissors are dishwasher-safe.

Features:

The kitchen scissors have micro-serrations on the blade.

The soft handle is comfortable to use and does not hurt your hands.

The blade has a protective cover to extend the life of the blade.

These kitchen scissors are dishwasher safe.

6. fabric scissors

Fabric scissors are also called cloth cutting scissors, specialized scissors designed for cutting fabric with precision. Fabric scissors are sharper and have longer blades, making it easier to handle a variety of textiles, from light cotton to heavy denim or leather. When choosing the right fabric scissors, you’ll want to consider a ruler for precise measurements, whether a wooden ruler, bamboo ruler, or other types of rulers that will ensure you can cut fabric with precision.

An in-depth look

Handle Material: High Carbon Steel, Rubber
Blade Material: Stainless Steel, High Carbon Steel
Blade Edge: Straight
Style: Professional
Color: Black, Yellow, Green, Red, Blue
Hand Orientation: Ambidextrous
Special Features: Long, sharp blades
Use: fabric, sewing, cloth use

Pros

The sharp edges of fabric scissors ensure that cuts are smooth and precise.
Fabric scissors are built to last, made from high-quality metals that resist wear over time.
The ergonomic handles of fabric scissors reduce hand strain.
Fabric scissors are designed to cut cotton, wool, silk, denim, and even leather.

Cons

Fabric scissors can be larger and heavier than standard scissors.
Fabric scissors are more expensive than regular scissors.

Product Recommendation: LIVINGO Professional fabric scissors

LIVINGO Professional fabric scissors have titanium-coated blades, which can effectively prevent rust, but also improve the hardness of the blade. The ergonomic design makes the fabric scissors comfortable to use. These types of scissors are very sharp and durable, very suitable for cutting fabrics, cloth, leather, canvas, denim, felt, carpet, and more sewing materials.

Features:

The titanium-coated blade is sharp and durable.

Ergonomic and comfortable handle.

The sharp scissors are easy for cutting 16 layers of fabrics and cloth.

7. Garden Scissors

Garden shears, also known as garden shears or pruning shears, are types of scissors used to trim plants, flowers, and small branches in the garden. Unlike large hedge trimmers or pruning saws, garden shears are small and precise, with sharp blades, making They are ideal for delicate tasks such as pruning flowers, shaping plants, trimming stems, and cutting herbs.

An in-depth look

Handle Material: Stainless Steel, Leather, Plastic
Blade Material: Stainless Steel
Blade Edge: Bypass Blade, Straight
Style: Bypass Pruner
Color: Multicolored
Hand Orientation: Ambidextrous
Special Features: Precise cutting, spring mechanism
Uses: Stems and light branches

Pros

Gardening scissors are suitable for pruning small plants, cutting flowers, shaping bonsai, and deadheading.
The sharp blades ensure clean cuts, which are essential for plant health.
The small types of scissors make it easy to maneuver in tight spaces.
High-quality gardening scissors are durable, and resistant to rust.

Cons

Gardening scissors can not cut through tough or thick stems.

Product Recommendation: VIVOSUN Gardening Scissors

The blades of VIVOSUN garden shears are sharp and durable, and can easily cut branches up to 3/4″ in diameter, ensuring that gardens, flowers, branches, and potted plants remain clean and tidy. These micro-pointed shears have a safe and reliable side-locking mechanism to protect and close the blades when not in use. The ergonomic non-slip handle is perfect for long and comfortable pruning.

Features:

The side locking mechanism protects and closes the blade when not in use.

Micro-tipped scissors allow you to precisely cut where you want.

Stainless steel blades are extremely sharp.

Non-slip, ergonomic handles provide a secure grip.

8. Kids Scissors

Kids scissors are the types of scissors that are specially designed cutting tools created with safety and ease of use in mind, tailored for children to use during arts, crafts, and other school-related activities. These scissors are made to be safe, lightweight, and comfortable, ensuring that kids can learn and create with minimal risk of injury.

An in-depth look

Handle Material: Plastic, Stainless Steel
Blade Material: Stainless Steel, Steel
Blade Edge: Straight
Style: Classic
Color: Colored
Hand Orientation: Ambidextrous
Special Features: Blunt or Rounded Tips, Safety Blades
Uses: Craft

Pros

Blunt or rounded tips and safety blades reduce the risk of injury.
Kids’ scissors are great for crafts, inspiring creativity, and hands-on learning.
These types of scissors are lightweight and easy to use.
With colorful designs and themes, kids’ scissors are both practical and fun.

Cons

Kids’ scissors are only suitable for cutting light materials such as paper and have limited cutting capabilities.

Product Recommendation: Mr. Pen Kids Scissors

Mr. Pen-children’s scissors are made of durable stainless steel, the blades are designed with rounded tips to prevent cuts or accidental injuries, and the handles are made of plastic, which is safe and ergonomic. These types of scissors are very light and can be used easily by children. The handles are available in various colors, which are very suitable for children’s paper cutting, making various crafts, etc.

Features:

The blades have a rounded tip to ensure safe use by children.

Mr. Pen’s kids’ scissors are lightweight and can be easily handled by small hands.

The handles are very soft and shaped to fit small hands, providing a comfortable grip.

Mr. Pen’s kids’ scissors have various bright colors.

FAQ

How to Choose the Right Scissors？

Choosing the right scissors depends on your specific needs. Here are some key factors to consider:

1. Task: What will you be cutting? Paper, fabric, or something tougher like plastic or food packaging?

2. Blade Design: For precision, you might want craft or fabric scissors. For versatility, general-purpose scissors should be your go-to.

3. Comfort: If you’ll be using them for extended periods, look for ergonomic handles that reduce hand strain.

4. Durability: Look for high-quality materials like stainless steel, which resists corrosion and maintains sharpness longer.

How to Maintain Sharpness？

1. Invest in a scissor sharpener when it becomes dull.

2. Use scissors only for their intended purpose. Avoid using fabric scissors or general-purpose scissors for heavy materials.

3. Wipe the blades clean after each use to prevent residue buildup. Use a drop of oil to lubricate the pivot point.

4. Store scissors in a sheath or a designated compartment to protect the blades.

Why are pinking shears called pink?

Pink scissors are called “pink” because the zigzag cuts they create resemble the zigzag edge of a “pink” flower, a carnation with scalloped petals; essentially, the cuts made by the scissors look like the edge of a pink flower, hence the “pink” to describe the action of cutting fabric with this pattern.

Can I use regular scissors to cut fabric?

While you can use regular scissors to cut fabric, fabric scissors are specifically designed with sharper, longer blades to cut fabric cleanly without fraying or distorting the material. They also tend to have more ergonomic handles for better control and comfort during extended use.

Are there types of scissors for surgery?

There are specialized types of scissors designed specifically for surgical procedures. These surgical scissors are precision tools used by medical professionals to cut tissues, sutures, and other materials during surgery.

1. Trauma shears, or “tuff cuts”
2. Dissection scissors
3. Suture scissors
4. Iris scissors
5. Metzenbaum scissors
6. Tenotomy scissors
7. Mayo scissors
8. Bandage scissors

What is the difference between kitchen scissors and General Purpose Scissors?

	Purpose	Blade design	Material	Handle Design	Strength and Durability
kitchen scissors	cutting meat, vegetables	thicker and stronger	food-grade stainless steel	ergonomic, non-slip	heavy-duty use
General Purpose Scissors	cutting paper, cardboard, fabric	thinner and smoother	stainless steel	plastic or metal	lighter tasks

Conclusion

From everyday cutting tasks to complex crafting projects, different types of scissors have different uses. I believe that after reading this guide, you can ensure that you are equipped with the right scissors for your task, making your work more efficient and more enjoyable.