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7 Best Kitchen Shears Americas Test Kitchen 2026 in the United States

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Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Shun Multi Purpose Kitchen Shears, Heavy Duty Cooking Scissors, Durable 420J2 Stainless Steel, Detachable Blades for Easy Cleaning, Kitchen Shears for Professional and Home Chefs

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,174
Blade Material
Blade Sharpness
Detachable Blades

Most important from
1345 reviews

Blade Material
These shears have doubled in price but are sharp, tough, and well-made, justifying their high rating.
Blade Sharpness
Sharp and strong enough to cut through chicken bones, these shears are top-rated for a reason.
Detachable Blades
The ability to take apart the shears for cleaning is a significant advantage, making maintenance straightforward.
Additional Features
These kitchen shears cut paper, upholstery fabric, cardboard, and even chicken with ease, making them incredibly versatile.

The Shun Multi Purpose Kitchen Shears are a versatile tool designed to handle a variety of kitchen tasks. One of their standout features is the durable 420J2 stainless steel blades, which offer impressive sharpness and a serrated edge for gripping and cutting through tough materials. This makes them ideal for both professional and home chefs. The handles are designed for comfort and safety, featuring a plastic over-mold that ensures a secure grip even when wet. Additionally, the detachable blades make cleaning easy and convenient, which adds to their practicality.

The shears also include useful extra features like a bone notch, bottle opener, and nutcracker, enhancing their functionality. Crafted with Japanese expertise, they reflect a high level of craftsmanship and quality. However, one potential drawback is that the handle material, while comfortable, is plastic, which might not appeal to those seeking an entirely stainless steel construction for durability. Also, these shears might be on the higher end of the price spectrum compared to other kitchen shears available in the market. They are especially suited for anyone looking for a reliable and multi-functional kitchen tool.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,174
Blade Material
Blade Sharpness
Detachable Blades

Most important from
1345 reviews

Blade Material
These shears have doubled in price but are sharp, tough, and well-made, justifying their high rating.
Blade Sharpness
Sharp and strong enough to cut through chicken bones, these shears are top-rated for a reason.
Detachable Blades
The ability to take apart the shears for cleaning is a significant advantage, making maintenance straightforward.
Additional Features
These kitchen shears cut paper, upholstery fabric, cardboard, and even chicken with ease, making them incredibly versatile.
#2

WÜSTHOF Come Apart Kitchen Shears

Rating
9.4
Blade Material
Blade Sharpness
Handle Comfort

Most important from
1505 reviews

Blade Material
These shears are made with high-quality stainless steel, providing a sharp and precise cut every time.
Blade Sharpness
These are the best kitchen shears for a reasonable price, staying sharp for years and cleaning up easily.
Handle Comfort
Roomy handles offer an easy grip and the shears feel sturdy and well-balanced in hand.
Detachable Blades
The 'come apart' design makes cleaning incredibly easy, ensuring no food particles are trapped.

The WÜSTHOF Come Apart Kitchen Shears are a versatile tool for any kitchen, designed for a variety of tasks such as snipping herbs, cutting flowers, and trimming chicken skin. One of its standout features is its two-piece construction, which allows the blades to come apart easily for thorough cleaning—an essential feature for maintaining hygiene. The blades are made of stainless steel, known for its durability and resistance to rust, which is beneficial for long-term use.

Users have reported high satisfaction with the sharpness of the blades, as reflected in its 4.7 out of 5-star rating from over 1,100 reviews, indicating that it performs well in cutting tasks. Additionally, the shears feature a brushed finish and a classic black color that would complement most kitchen decors. The handle is made from stainless steel and is designed to be ambidextrous, making it comfortable for both left and right-handed users.

However, it's worth noting that the handle might not be as cushioned or ergonomic as some other models with plastic or rubber grips, which could impact comfort during extended use. The shears have a compact size with dimensions of 8 inches in length and 3 inches in width, and they are relatively lightweight at 4.1 ounces, making them easy to handle. These shears rank fairly high in popularity, being #19 in Kitchen Shears on Amazon, which suggests they are a trusted choice among consumers. If you need shears that are easy to clean and reliable for everyday kitchen tasks, the WÜSTHOF Come Apart Kitchen Shears could be a good fit for you.

Rating
9.4
Blade Material
Blade Sharpness
Handle Comfort

Most important from
1505 reviews

Blade Material
These shears are made with high-quality stainless steel, providing a sharp and precise cut every time.
Blade Sharpness
These are the best kitchen shears for a reasonable price, staying sharp for years and cleaning up easily.
Handle Comfort
Roomy handles offer an easy grip and the shears feel sturdy and well-balanced in hand.
Detachable Blades
The 'come apart' design makes cleaning incredibly easy, ensuring no food particles are trapped.
#3

HENCKELS Kitchen Shears, Made in Japan, Kitchen Scissors

Rating
9.4
Blade Sharpness
Additional Features

Most important from
7739 reviews

Blade Sharpness
These scissors are sharp, with a decent heft, and precise, making them perfect for both kitchen and general purpose use.
Additional Features
The shears are well made and deliver as promised, providing excellent cutting performance.

The HENCKELS International Kitchen Shears are a high-quality kitchen tool made in Japan. The blades are crafted from corrosion-resistant stainless steel, providing durability and a long-lasting sharp edge. The micro-serrated blade edge ensures slip-proof cutting, which is ideal for various kitchen tasks. The handles are made from heavy-duty, break-resistant polypropylene, ensuring comfort and hygiene during use.

These shears come with several additional features, including an integrated metal insert for opening bottle caps and a serrated area for opening jar lids, screw caps, and cracking nuts. They are also dishwasher safe, making them easy to clean. However, the shears do not have detachable blades, which might make thorough cleaning more challenging.

These shears are a popular choice for those looking for reliable kitchen scissors with multiple functionalities. They are suitable for anyone looking to enhance their kitchen toolset with a versatile and sturdy pair of shears.

Rating
9.4
Blade Sharpness
Additional Features

Most important from
7739 reviews

Blade Sharpness
These scissors are sharp, with a decent heft, and precise, making them perfect for both kitchen and general purpose use.
Additional Features
The shears are well made and deliver as promised, providing excellent cutting performance.

Buying Guide for the Best Kitchen Shears Americas Test Kitchen

Choosing the right kitchen shears can make a significant difference in your cooking experience. Kitchen shears are versatile tools that can be used for a variety of tasks, from cutting herbs and trimming meat to opening packages and cracking nuts. When selecting kitchen shears, it's important to consider several key specifications to ensure you get a pair that meets your needs and preferences. Here are the key specs to look out for and how to choose the best fit for you.
Blade MaterialThe material of the blades is crucial for durability and performance. Common materials include stainless steel, carbon steel, and titanium. Stainless steel is resistant to rust and corrosion, making it a popular choice for kitchen shears. Carbon steel is very sharp and holds an edge well but requires more maintenance to prevent rust. Titanium blades are lightweight and strong, offering excellent cutting performance. Choose stainless steel for general use and easy maintenance, carbon steel if you prioritize sharpness and are willing to care for the blades, and titanium for a balance of strength and lightness.
Blade SharpnessSharp blades are essential for efficient cutting. Sharpness affects how easily the shears can cut through different materials. Some shears come with micro-serrated blades that grip slippery items like poultry skin, while others have straight edges for clean cuts. If you frequently cut through tough materials like meat and bones, opt for micro-serrated blades. For more precise tasks like cutting herbs or vegetables, straight-edged blades are preferable.
Handle ComfortComfortable handles are important for prolonged use and to prevent hand fatigue. Look for ergonomic designs with cushioned grips that fit well in your hand. Handles made from materials like rubber or silicone can provide extra comfort and a non-slip grip. If you have larger or smaller hands, try to find shears that accommodate your hand size to ensure a comfortable fit.
Detachable BladesSome kitchen shears have blades that can be detached for easy cleaning and sharpening. This feature is particularly useful for maintaining hygiene and ensuring the blades stay sharp. If you value convenience and ease of maintenance, look for shears with detachable blades. However, if you prefer a simpler design, non-detachable blades can still be effective as long as they are cleaned properly.
Additional FeaturesMany kitchen shears come with additional features such as bottle openers, nutcrackers, and herb strippers. These multifunctional tools can add extra convenience to your kitchen tasks. Consider what additional features might be useful for you. For example, if you often open bottles or crack nuts, having these functions integrated into your shears can save you time and space in the kitchen.

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