Fresh herbs can be surprisingly awkward to prepare with an ordinary knife. Delicate basil leaves can bruise, chives can scatter across the cutting board, and stripping thyme or rosemary leaves from woody stems can turn a simple garnish into a repetitive prep job.
A good pair of kitchen shears can make those jobs faster and more controlled. Instead of repeatedly chopping across a cutting board, you can snip chives, parsley, cilantro, mint, basil and other fresh herbs directly over a bowl, salad, soup or finished dish.
The best kitchen shears for herbs are not all designed the same way. Some are dedicated precision herb shears, some use multiple parallel blades for rapid chopping, and others are versatile kitchen scissors with herb-stripping features that make them useful beyond herbs.
Best Kitchen Shears for Herbs: Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Blade Design | Herb Feature | Cleaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OXO Good Grips Kitchen and Herb Scissors | Best Overall | Micro-serrated stainless steel | Integrated herb stripper | Blades separate |
| Shun Herb Shears DM7100 | Best Precision Pick | Fine non-serrated cutting edge | Stem cutter / herb stripper notch | Blades separate |
| Westmark Kräuter-Fee Herb Scissors | Best Multi-Blade Pick | 5 parallel stainless-steel blades | Integrated stripping holes | Cleaning comb included |
| Kuhn Rikon Universal Kitchen Shears | Best Versatile Pick | Micro-serrated stainless steel | Integrated herb stripper | Disassemblable blades |
| WÜSTHOF Pull-Apart Kitchen Shears | Best Simple All-Purpose Pick | Kitchen shear blades | Suitable for herbs and chives | Pull-apart design |
| ZWILLING Multi-Purpose Kitchen Shears | Best Forged Pick | Micro-serrated forged stainless steel | Designed to snip fresh herbs | Separating blades |
1. OXO Good Grips Kitchen and Herb Scissors
The OXO Good Grips Kitchen and Herb Scissors strike one of the best balances between dedicated herb functionality and everyday kitchen versatility. They are designed for cutting herbs as well as vegetables, meat, twine and other common kitchen materials, so they do not become a single-purpose tool once herb prep is finished.
The most useful feature for herb-focused cooks is the integrated herb stripper positioned above the handles. It lets you remove leaves from tougher stems before chopping or snipping, reducing the need for a separate stripping tool when preparing ingredients such as rosemary.
OXO uses micro-serrated stainless-steel blades to help grip ingredients during the cut. The cushioned handle pads are intended to absorb pressure, which can matter when repeatedly snipping bunches of chives, parsley or other herbs.
The blades also separate for cleaning. That is particularly useful with fresh herbs because small pieces and plant juices can collect around the pivot area of ordinary scissors.
Pros
- Integrated herb stripper
- Micro-serrated stainless-steel blades
- Comfortable cushioned handles
- Blades separate for easier cleaning
- Useful for much more than herbs
Cons
- Not as specialized as dedicated precision herb shears
- Single cutting pair is slower than five-blade scissors for bulk fine snipping
2. Shun Herb Shears DM7100
The Shun Herb Shears DM7100 are the most specialized conventional shears in this comparison. Rather than adapting a heavy kitchen shear to herb work, Shun designed this model specifically for herbs.
The fine cutting edge is intended to produce clean cuts without unnecessarily bruising delicate leaves. That makes these especially appealing for cooks who frequently work with basil, mint, parsley and other herbs where presentation and clean edges matter.
A notch in the blade can be used to strip herbs or cut through stems, adding a useful second function without turning the shears into an oversized multi-tool.
The padded non-slip grip is designed for comfortable control, and Shun states that the shears are suitable for both right- and left-handed use. The blades also separate for easier cleaning.
Pros
- Purpose-built for herb preparation
- Fine cutting edge for delicate herbs
- Built-in stem cutter and herb-stripper notch
- Comfortable non-slip grip
- Separates for cleaning
Cons
- More specialized than general kitchen shears
- Less suitable if your priority is heavy poultry or bone work
3. Westmark Kräuter-Fee Herb Scissors
Westmark takes a completely different approach with its Kräuter-Fee. Instead of one pair of cutting edges, the scissors use five parallel stainless-steel blades to make several cuts with each closing motion.
That design is particularly useful when the goal is to quickly produce small pieces of parsley, chives, mint, wild garlic or similar fresh herbs for sauces, dressings, garnishes and finished dishes.
Multi-blade herb scissors can be more tedious to clean than ordinary shears because pieces of herbs become trapped between the blades. Westmark addresses that issue with an included cleaning comb designed to push residual herbs out from between them.
The handle also incorporates five differently sized holes for stripping leaves from stems, adding useful functionality for herbs such as rosemary.
Pros
- Five blades make multiple cuts at once
- Designed specifically for fresh herbs
- Integrated herb-stripping holes
- Includes cleaning comb
- Dishwasher-safe according to Westmark
Cons
- Less versatile than ordinary kitchen shears
- Multiple blade gaps can collect herb pieces
4. Kuhn Rikon Universal Kitchen Shears
Kuhn Rikon’s Universal Kitchen Shears are a good option for cooks who want herb-specific functionality without buying a tool that can only handle herbs.
The stainless-steel blades use micro-serrations to help hold food in place during cutting, while an integrated herb stripper is designed to remove leaves from tougher fresh-herb stems.
The shears also include soft-touch handles, a three-finger opening and an integrated shock absorber. Those features are useful when moving between light herb work and more demanding everyday cutting.
The blades can be disassembled for cleaning, another worthwhile feature for a tool likely to encounter moist herbs and food residue around the pivot.
Pros
- Integrated herb stripper
- Micro-serrated blades
- Comfortable soft-touch handles
- Suitable for right- and left-handed users
- Blades disassemble for cleaning
Cons
- Not as delicate or specialized as Shun Herb Shears
- Larger all-purpose design than dedicated herb scissors
5. WÜSTHOF Pull-Apart Kitchen Shears
WÜSTHOF’s Pull-Apart Kitchen Shears are a straightforward option for cooks who want one pair of kitchen scissors that can move easily between herbs and other everyday prep jobs.
WÜSTHOF specifically lists herbs such as chives among the materials these shears are designed to cut. They can also handle kitchen parchment, string, packaging and thicker fish bones, making them considerably more versatile than dedicated multi-blade herb scissors.
That versatility makes sense if herbs are only one part of your normal kitchen routine. You can keep one pair of shears available for snipping chives over potatoes or cutting parsley into a bowl, then use the same tool for packaging and other food-prep jobs.
The pull-apart construction is another practical advantage because it gives you better access to the blade surfaces and pivot area during cleaning.
Pros
- Officially specified for herbs including chives
- Useful for many other kitchen tasks
- Pull-apart design simplifies cleaning
- Good option for buyers avoiding single-purpose tools
Cons
- No dedicated herb stripper
- Less specialized for delicate herbs than purpose-built herb shears
6. ZWILLING Multi-Purpose Kitchen Shears
ZWILLING’s Multi-Purpose Kitchen Shears are the premium forged all-purpose option in this lineup. The manufacturer specifically lists snipping fresh herbs among their intended kitchen uses.
The shears are precision forged from stainless steel and use a micro-serrated blade intended to provide secure cutting. For herbs, that gripping action can be helpful when working with smooth or fibrous stems that might otherwise move between ordinary polished blades.
They are deliberately much more versatile than dedicated herb scissors. Built-in functions include a bottle opener, screw-cap opener and lid opener, and the shears can also handle jobs such as trimming poultry.
For a cook who wants a substantial pair of long-lasting multipurpose kitchen shears and only occasionally needs to snip herbs, that broader capability may be more useful than buying a highly specialized tool.
Pros
- Precision-forged stainless-steel construction
- Micro-serrated cutting edge
- Designed for snipping fresh herbs
- Comfortable non-slip grip
- Multiple additional kitchen functions
Cons
- More tool than necessary if you only cut herbs
- No dedicated herb-stripping feature
How to Choose Kitchen Shears for Herbs
The best herb shears for your kitchen depend on whether herbs are the main reason you are buying the tool or simply one of many jobs you expect it to perform.
Choose Dedicated Herb Shears for Precision
If you regularly prepare fresh basil, parsley, mint, cilantro, chives and similar ingredients, a specialized pair such as the Shun Herb Shears can provide more precise control than a heavier pair designed partly for poultry and packaging.
Choose Multi-Blade Scissors for Fast Fine Snipping
Five-blade scissors such as the Westmark Kräuter-Fee make several cuts at once. They are especially convenient for quickly creating small pieces of chives or leafy herbs for garnishes, sauces and dressings.
The tradeoff is cleaning. Herb fragments can become trapped between parallel blades, so a cleaning comb or another effective cleaning method is valuable.
Look for an Herb Stripper
Herb-stripping holes or notches are useful when working with herbs that have firmer stems. Instead of individually pulling leaves from a stem, you can draw the stem through the appropriate opening.
OXO, Shun, Westmark and Kuhn Rikon all incorporate some form of herb-stripping feature into the products included here.
Consider Blade Separation
Fresh herbs can leave moisture and small plant fragments around the blades and pivot. Shears that come apart provide easier access to those areas during cleaning and drying.
Do Not Automatically Choose Heavy-Duty Shears
Strength is important when cutting poultry and bones, but it is not necessarily an advantage for delicate herbs. A lighter, more precise shear may feel easier to control when trimming basil leaves or snipping a small quantity of chives.
Think About Your Most Common Herbs
Chives and similar herbs are particularly easy to snip directly over a finished dish. Delicate leafy herbs benefit from clean, controlled cutting, while woody-stemmed herbs make a built-in stripping feature more useful.
Kitchen Shears vs Herb Scissors: What Is the Difference?
Kitchen shears are generally designed as multipurpose cutting tools. Depending on the model, they may handle herbs, vegetables, food packaging, meat, poultry, parchment and string.
Herb scissors are more specialized. Some use fine conventional blades optimized for delicate plant material, while others use several parallel blades to make multiple small cuts with each squeeze.
Neither design is automatically better. If you want one tool for many kitchen jobs, versatile kitchen shears make more sense. If you prepare fresh herbs constantly, specialized herb scissors can justify their narrower purpose.
Single-Blade vs Five-Blade Herb Scissors
Conventional shears give you more control over exactly where each cut lands. They are easier to use for trimming stems, cutting larger leaves and handling mixed kitchen tasks.
Five-blade herb scissors prioritize speed. One closing motion makes several parallel cuts, which can quickly reduce chives, parsley and other herbs into smaller pieces.
The downside is that more blades create more spaces where wet herb fragments can become trapped. If you choose a multi-blade design, easy cleaning should be one of your main buying criteria.
Are Kitchen Shears Good for Chives?
Yes. Chives are one of the ingredients that make a strong case for using kitchen shears instead of a knife.
You can hold a small bunch over a bowl, baked potato, soup, salad or other dish and make short cuts directly where the chives are needed. That eliminates the need to transfer tiny chopped pieces from a cutting board.
For frequent chive preparation, shorter precision shears or multi-blade herb scissors can be particularly convenient.
Can Kitchen Shears Cut Basil?
Yes, but sharpness and control matter. A dull or overly cumbersome pair of shears can crush or tear delicate leaves instead of making a clean cut.
For basil and other tender herbs, use sharp shears and avoid repeatedly squeezing or crushing a large bundle between the blades. A dedicated fine-edge herb shear is especially attractive when delicate leafy herbs are your priority.
How to Clean Herb Shears
Clean the blades after food preparation rather than allowing wet herb residue to dry around the cutting edges or pivot.
If the blades separate, take them apart according to the manufacturer’s instructions and clean the accessible surfaces thoroughly. Multi-blade scissors may require a cleaning comb to remove fragments trapped between blades.
Always follow the care instructions for the specific model. Some manufacturers permit dishwasher cleaning, while others recommend hand washing and immediate drying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best kitchen shears for herbs?
For a versatile everyday option, the OXO Good Grips Kitchen and Herb Scissors combine micro-serrated blades, an integrated herb stripper and separable blades. For more specialized precision work, the Shun Herb Shears DM7100 are designed specifically for cutting delicate herbs.
Are five-blade herb scissors better than regular kitchen shears?
They are faster for making many small cuts through herbs such as chives and parsley, but they are less versatile and can require more cleaning. Regular kitchen shears provide more control and can handle a wider range of tasks.
What is an herb stripper on kitchen shears?
An herb stripper is a hole or notch designed to help pull leaves away from firmer stems. It can reduce repetitive hand stripping when preparing certain fresh herbs.
Can I cut herbs directly into food with kitchen shears?
Yes. One of the main advantages of kitchen shears is the ability to snip herbs directly over salads, soups, sauces, bowls and finished dishes instead of chopping them separately on a cutting board.
Should herb shears have serrated blades?
Not necessarily. Micro-serrations can help grip slippery or fibrous ingredients, while a sharp plain edge can provide very clean, precise cuts through delicate herbs. Both designs can work well depending on the intended use.
Do herb scissors need to come apart for cleaning?
It is not essential, but separable blades can make thorough cleaning easier because herbs and moisture often collect near the pivot. For multi-blade scissors, a dedicated cleaning comb can serve a similar practical purpose.
Final Verdict
The best kitchen shears for herbs depend on how specialized you want the tool to be.
The OXO Good Grips Kitchen and Herb Scissors are our best overall choice because they combine herb-specific features with enough versatility for ordinary kitchen work. The built-in herb stripper and separating micro-serrated blades make them particularly practical for regular home cooking.
The Shun Herb Shears DM7100 are the stronger choice when clean, precise cutting of delicate herbs is the priority. They are a more specialized tool, but that specialization is exactly what some herb-focused cooks need.
For fast fine chopping, the Westmark Kräuter-Fee offers a distinctly different five-blade design. If you would rather own one versatile pair of shears, the Kuhn Rikon, WÜSTHOF and ZWILLING options provide broader everyday usefulness while still handling fresh herbs.