Kitchen shears are one of the most useful cutting tools to keep within easy reach. A good pair can snip herbs, trim meat, cut poultry, open packaging, slice parchment, cut kitchen twine, and handle many small preparation jobs that are awkward with a chef’s knife.
The best kitchen shears are not all built the same way. Some prioritize heavy-duty cutting, while others focus on comfort, easy cleaning, micro-serrated blades, removable construction, or extra functions such as nutcrackers and bottle openers.
The six kitchen shears below cover a useful range of designs, from Japanese multi-purpose shears and forged German models to affordable everyday scissors and hygienic all-stainless take-apart designs.
Best Kitchen Shears at a Glance
| Kitchen Shears | Blade / Material | Key Feature | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shun Multi-Purpose Shears DM7300 | 420J2 stainless steel | Take-apart, bone notch | Best Overall |
| ZWILLING Multi-Purpose Shears 43927-200 | Forged stainless steel | Micro-serrated, multi-function | Best Forged Pick |
| WÜSTHOF Pull-Apart Kitchen Shears | Kitchen shears | Pull-apart design | Best Easy-Cleaning Pick |
| OXO Good Grips Kitchen and Herb Scissors | Stainless steel | Herb stripper | Best for Herbs |
| Victorinox Multipurpose Kitchen Shears 7.6363.3 | Stainless steel | Micro-serrated, dishwasher safe | Best Everyday Value |
| TOJIRO Kitchen Shears FK-843 | High-carbon stainless steel | Separable all-stainless design | Best All-Stainless Pick |
1. Shun Multi-Purpose Shears — Best Overall
Shun Multi-Purpose Shears DM7300
The Shun DM7300 combines strong kitchen cutting capability with a long list of useful secondary functions. It is designed for jobs ranging from opening packages and trimming flowers to cutting food and handling light bone-related preparation.
One blade is serrated to help grip tougher or fibrous material during the cut. Shun also includes a bone notch, nutcracker, jar opener, lid lifter, and screwdriver tips built into the tool.
The blades separate for cleaning, which is particularly useful after working with raw poultry or sticky foods. A non-slip elastomer grip helps provide control during heavier cutting tasks.
- Made in Japan.
- Blades separate for cleaning.
- Partially serrated cutting edge.
- Bone notch and several integrated tools.
- More expensive than basic household scissors.
- Extra functions add bulk compared with minimalist shears.
2. ZWILLING Multi-Purpose Kitchen Shears — Best Forged Pick
ZWILLING Multi-Purpose Shears 43927-200
ZWILLING’s German-made multi-purpose shears stand apart from many everyday kitchen scissors because the blades use precision-forged construction rather than a lightweight stamped design.
ZWILLING uses its special-formula stainless steel and FRIODUR ice-hardening process. A micro-serrated edge is designed to hold food and other materials securely while cutting.
The handles also incorporate a bottle opener, screw-cap opener, lid lifter, and nut-cracking area, making this a premium all-purpose kitchen tool rather than a simple pair of scissors.
- Precision-forged construction.
- Made in Germany.
- Micro-serrated blade.
- Multiple integrated opening functions.
- Premium price.
- Heavier construction may be unnecessary for light herb work.
3. WÜSTHOF Pull-Apart Kitchen Shears — Best Easy-Cleaning Pick
WÜSTHOF Pull-Apart Kitchen Shears
WÜSTHOF’s Pull-Apart Kitchen Shears are designed around practical everyday kitchen work and simple cleaning. They can handle jobs such as cutting herbs, food packaging, parchment, string, and thicker fish bones.
The pull-apart construction is the main reason to choose this model. Separating the two halves gives better access around the pivot and inside surfaces during washing.
This makes the WÜSTHOF especially appealing for cooks who regularly use their shears on food and want straightforward cleaning rather than a permanently joined household-scissor design.
- Pull-apart construction.
- Useful for herbs, packaging, string and food prep.
- Comfortable synthetic handles.
- Simple multi-purpose design.
- Fewer integrated tools than Shun or ZWILLING.
- Manufacturer recommends hand washing and prompt drying.
4. OXO Good Grips Kitchen and Herb Scissors — Best for Herbs
OXO Good Grips Kitchen and Herb Scissors
OXO combines general-purpose kitchen scissors with a dedicated herb stripping feature, making this model particularly useful for cooks who frequently prepare fresh herbs and vegetables.
The stainless steel blades are designed to cut meat, vegetables, twine, flowers, and other everyday materials. Micro-serration helps grip the item being cut so it is less likely to slide away from the edge.
Soft handles use cushioning pads to reduce pressure on the hands, while the blades separate to make cleaning around the joint easier.
- Built-in herb stripper.
- Micro-serrated stainless blades.
- Soft cushioned grips.
- Blades separate for cleaning.
- Less specialized for heavy bone cutting.
- More household-oriented than premium forged shears.
5. Victorinox Multipurpose Kitchen Shears — Best Everyday Value
Victorinox Multipurpose Kitchen Shears 7.6363.3
Victorinox takes a straightforward approach with a lightweight micro-serrated kitchen shear designed for general everyday cutting, opening stubborn screw-cap jars, and cracking nuts.
The blades are made from stainless steel and use micro-serration to help hold different materials in place. The synthetic polyamide handles are designed to be strong without adding excessive weight.
Victorinox also lists the shears as dishwasher safe, which makes them an appealing everyday choice for buyers who prioritize convenient cleanup.
- Micro-serrated stainless blades.
- Lightweight at 3.2 oz.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Built-in jar and nut functions.
- Not forged.
- Synthetic construction feels simpler than premium metal shears.
6. TOJIRO Kitchen Shears — Best All-Stainless Pick
TOJIRO Kitchen Shears FK-843
TOJIRO’s FK-843 is aimed at buyers who prefer a hygienic all-stainless design instead of synthetic handles. The two sides separate for cleaning, reducing the number of difficult areas around the pivot.
A micro-serrated blade helps grip food securely during cutting. TOJIRO also incorporates can-opening and bottle-opening capability into the tool.
The combination of separable construction and an all-stainless body makes this especially interesting for cooks who prioritize thorough washing and a simple professional-style appearance.
- High-carbon stainless steel blade.
- Separable for thorough cleaning.
- Micro-serrated cutting edge.
- All-stainless construction.
- Metal handles offer less cushioning than soft synthetic grips.
- More specialized appearance than basic household scissors.
How to Choose the Best Kitchen Shears
Kitchen shears can look similar at first glance, but their construction affects how comfortable they are, how easily they cut slippery foods, how thoroughly they can be cleaned, and whether they can handle heavier tasks such as poultry preparation.
Look for Food-Safe Stainless Steel Blades
Stainless steel is common because kitchen shears regularly encounter moisture, food acids, and repeated washing. Different manufacturers use different stainless alloys and heat treatments, so the exact cutting feel and durability can vary.
Micro-Serrated vs Smooth Blades
A micro-serrated edge can grip slippery or fibrous foods while cutting. It is particularly useful for meat, herbs, packaging, and ingredients that might slide away from a completely smooth blade.
For general-purpose kitchen use, a micro-serrated blade is often a practical choice because the texture helps control the material during the cut.
Take-Apart Shears Are Easier to Clean
Food can collect around the pivot where two permanently connected shear blades overlap. Take-apart or separable designs allow the two halves to be washed individually.
This is particularly useful after contact with raw meat or poultry, where thorough cleaning matters more than it does when cutting paper or packaging.
Handle Comfort Matters
Soft synthetic grips can reduce pressure during repeated cutting. Metal handles are easy to wipe clean and can feel more substantial, but they generally provide less cushioning.
Do You Need a Bone Notch?
A bone notch creates a recessed area that helps position small bones or joints during cutting. It can be useful for poultry preparation, but it is unnecessary if you mainly use your shears for herbs, packaging, vegetables, and kitchen twine.
Multi-Purpose Features
Some kitchen shears also work as nutcrackers, jar openers, bottle openers, lid lifters, or even simple screwdriver tools. These features can be convenient, but they should not matter more than blade quality, grip comfort, and easy cleaning.
Kitchen Shears vs Poultry Shears
General kitchen shears are designed to cover many light and medium cutting jobs. Poultry shears are usually shaped and reinforced more specifically for cutting through joints, cartilage, skin, and smaller poultry bones.
If you regularly spatchcock chickens or break down whole poultry, a dedicated pair of poultry shears may provide better leverage than general kitchen scissors.
Cleaning and Care
Always follow the individual manufacturer’s care instructions. Some kitchen shears are listed as dishwasher safe, while others should be hand washed and dried immediately.
Pay particular attention to the pivot, serrations, handle joints, and any built-in bottle-opening or nut-cracking recesses where food debris can collect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kitchen shears can be used for cutting herbs, vegetables, meat, poultry, kitchen twine, parchment, packaging, and many other food preparation tasks.
Yes. Kitchen shears are designed for food preparation and typically use stronger blades, larger handles, food-friendly materials, and features such as micro-serration or separable construction.
They are especially useful for cleaning because each blade can be washed individually and the overlapping pivot area is easier to access.
Some heavy-duty kitchen shears can handle smaller poultry bones and joints, particularly when they include a bone notch. For frequent poultry breakdown, dedicated poultry shears are usually the better tool.
Micro-serration can help grip slippery foods and fibrous material. It is a useful feature for general-purpose kitchen shears, although not every good pair needs serrations.
It depends on the model. Some manufacturers specifically list their shears as dishwasher safe, while others recommend hand washing and immediate drying. Follow the instructions for the exact product.