Knives Are Awesome But……
Knives are considered by many to be the single most important tool in the kitchen. They’re used for everything from slicing up fruits and vegetables, to deboning meats and chicken. A chef without a knife is a runner without legs. Granted, knives are awesome but they’re not the be all end all. A good chef, professional or otherwise, will equip himself/herself with a plethora of tools to make life in the kitchen as effortless as possible! The kitchen shear is one such tool.
When used correctly, kitchen shears can be incredibly effective. They offer a versatility that just can’t be found in knives. In today’s post, we talk about 7 of the best kitchen shears that you should strongly consider.
#1 MAIRICO Premium Heavy Duty Kitchen Shears
No it’s not German steel, but mess around and you will lose a finger (or two)!
***CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT ON AMAZON***
What I Like About It
Sharp As A Beeeeeep!
Just like a dull knife, a dull pair of shears are pretty much useless. Have you ever used the cheap Walmart pair that come free with your knife set? If you have, I feel your frustration; I can tell you this is nowhere close to that! MAIRICO have done an excellent job, as these shears slice through just about anything, and that to with minimum effort. Sharp right out of the box!
If You Don’t Wanna Spend A Fortune On Shears!
Cheap to most people usually means crappy or low quality; that’s not the case here. Yea, it’s not an expensive steel that has been heat treated or subjected to various hardening and toughening processes, but who cares as long as it does what it’s supposed to! Also, if you’re not happy with it, simply return it back and get a full refund.
Can Be Used Outside The Kitchen Also
Because they’re heavy duty, these can be used outside the kitchen for a variety of tasks: cutting up cardboard and hard plastic boxes, trimming plant stems, and even for home craft projects!
What I Don’t Like About It
They Can’t Be Taken Apart
Why would you want to take apart a pair of shears? For me there’s 2 main reasons: one is so I am able to properly clean the blades, and second it’s easier to sharpen when the blades are apart. Kinda a big deal for me, so I am a tad bit disappointed with MAIRICO.
Prone To Rust
Several users have noted rust stains on the blades. One way to reduce the possibility of this happening is to ensure you thoroughly dry your shears after washing, and ensure you store in a cool dry place. If you really wanted to, you could apply a coat of oil as well.
#2 J.A. Henckels International Kitchen Shears
J.A. Henckels are a German knife and scissor manufacturer. They were founded almost 300 years ago, so they know what it takes to make high quality shears!
***CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT ON AMAZON***
What I Like About It
The Detail That Goes Into It!
One thing I love about all J.A Henckels products is the detail and quality control they go through. There’s also a lot that’s actually done by hand (sharpening the blades is an example). Watch the video below and you’ll see exactly what I mean!
Rust Be Gone!
When it comes to my kitchen cutlery, corrosion is typically one of the top three concerns (ease of sharpening is another). What can I do so that my knives/scissors don’t corrode? Do I need to oil and how frequently? Should I force a patina? When you have a pair of shears that are less likely to corrode, you can rest easy with some of these questions.
Lifetime Manufacturers Warranty
If you’ve ever owned a pair of kitchen shears before, you’ll know one thing: it doesn’t take much effort to destroy. I’ve had entire blades come apart because the assembly was not strong enough to cut through chicken bones! I’ve also broken the handles a couple times, by trying to force the issue. Having said that, I think warranty is pretty important, and with this you’re covered for life!
What I Don’t Like About It
Not The Best In Terms Of Comfort
Maybe it’s just me and the fact that I have really small hands, but I find this slightly uncomfortable to use. If you have medium to larger sized hands, I don’t see this being an issue for you.
Unable To Be Taken Apart
Just like the MAIRICO above, the individual blades cannot be taken apart for cleaning and sharpening.
#3 Kershaw Tankmaster Shears
The Tankmaster is one of the best kitchen shears available today, in my opinion. What makes it so good? Kershaw have gone back to basics, and it’s evident in the design, look, and feel!
***CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT ON AMAZON***
What I Like About It
The Blades Fully Separate
Shears that can be easily dismantled make a big difference as far as cleaning and maintenance is concerned. This is especially true for kitchen shears! If you’re cutting up a chicken, your shears are bound to get wet and dirty. Sharpening each individual blade is also much easier than doing the whole shear in one shot.
It’s Incredibly Solid, And There’s Nothing Complicated About It!
It’s no surprise that this pair of shears ends up being the last one many people end up owning; it’s an absolute tank. Everything from the stainless steel blades to the pivot point feels incredibly solid. I also like the fact that the design itself is simple, and there’s nothing fancy about the way it looks or feels!
Defects Covered By A Lifetime Warranty
Always an added bonus when you have lifetime warranty coverage, although I don’t think you will require it in this case.
Can Do More Than Just Shear!
This can do more than just shear. It can open bottle caps, crack nuts, and even open jars. I don’t know if you would ever use it for those things, but pretty cool nonetheless.
What I Don’t Like About It – Nothing!
I honestly can’t think of anything negative about the Kershaw Tankmaster. If I’m being overly critical, maybe the price could be slightly better (click here to check latest pricing on amazon). As far as top rated kitchen shears go, this is definitely in my top 4 list!
#4 Wusthof 5558
Number 4 on our list of top rated kitchen shears is the Wusthof 5558. A versatile pair that can be used to cut food, flowers, paper, cardboard, and even carpet!
***CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT ON AMAZON***
What I Like About It
One Of The More Comfortable Shears On This List
Is comfort important when it comes to kitchen shears specifically? For me it’s incredibly important and definitely something I consider before buying. Granted, maybe you don’t make as many precision cuts with shears as you would with knives, but it still needs to feel and handle well. Wusthof 5558 handles like a charm, and It works great for both left handed and right handed people.
Quality Steel!
What you get is decent quality stainless steel that will retain its edge for a long long time. Will it rust? There is no steel that is free from rust, remember this. However, stainless steel should be fine provided you take proper care. That means you wash and dry by hand (not dishwasher!), and store in a cool, dry place.
Easy Cleaning As The Blades Come Apart
The blades come apart, so it’s easy to clean and maintain all parts.
What I Don’t Like About It
Perfect For Smaller Hands, Not So Perfect For Larger Hands
Not so much an issue for me as I have small hands (actually much smaller than average!), but I can see how people with large hands could face some issues. Some people have complained about the finger holes not being large enough, but I wouldn’t know what they’re talking about! If you have larger hands, this may be something you need to consider.
#5 OXO Multi-Purpose Kitchen And Herbs Scissors
If you’re the type of person that grows vegetables and herbs right in your backward, I think you’re gonna like this!
***CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT ON AMAZON***
What I Like About It
Honestly, Who Cares About A Nut Cracker!
Mostly all the other shears on this list have the ability to crack walnuts. Don’t know about you, but I don’t remember the last time I even saw a walnut, let alone eat one! To me this feature is useless and I’d be much better off having a herb stripper, because that’s something I actually do use. This would work particularly well to strip off kale, watercress, and fenugreek stems.
Cushioning Pads Definitely Make A Difference
All top rated kitchen shears have something that distinguish them from the rest. Cushioning pads are especially useful when doing heavy tasks such as cutting up and deboning a chicken. These tasks can be pretty exhaustive when using an ordinary pair, simply because of how much pressure is required to shear through. Have you ever cut something with your shears and have the handles slam hardly against each other? So annoying right!? Do it hard enough, and you could hurt your wrists. And this is exactly what makes cushioning pads such a great addition!
Blades Come Apart So Cleaning Is Easy
Individual blades come apart pretty easily (like most of the top rated kitchen shears discussed previously). All you have to do is open the blades wide enough, and they will disengage.
What I Don’t Like About It
They’re A Little Stiff To Open
I don’t mind this to be quite honest, but I see how it may be a problem for some people. I’d rather have shears that are stiff to open, compared to something that’s flimsy and open/closes with the lightest of touches. I feel I have more control when using a stiffer pair. But I can see how this is a huge disadvantage for anyone with arthritis, for example. How do you feel about this?
#6 Messermeister Spanish Kitchen Shears
Looks like something you’d cut hair with, not chicken! That’s exactly what I thought the first time I saw these shears, but boy was I mistaken!
***CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT ON AMAZON***
What I Like About It
You’d Be Hard Pressed To Find A Better Steel
We know how important steel is when it comes to knives, but what about shears? In my opinion steel is just as important. Shears made from a high quality steel will be sharper, hold their edge better, and will resist corrosion for longer in comparison to a low quality steel. Messermeister have opted to go with an inox heat treated stainless steel that has a Rockwell hardness of 56. Again, you’d be hard pressed to find a better steel used in kitchen shears!
Each Side Is Forged From One Piece Of Steel
The secret to why these shears are so strong and can bulldoze through pretty much anything, is that each side is forged from one piece of steel. This has the effect of making the unit insanely durable, and able to take a knock or two. It’s small details like these that separate the best kitchen shears from the competition. Go take a look at the shears in your drawer right now, how many parts make it up? Post it in the comments!
Messermeister Covers You For Life
With an expensive purchase like this, I’d expect nothing less than lifetime warranty. It’s a piece of mind knowing I will be covered should there be any defects.
Blades Come Apart And Separate For Easy Cleaning
And another check!
What I Don’t Like About It
Boy Do They Cost A Fortune!
These are a tad pricey (click here to check latest pricing on amazon). But you pay more $$$ for a couple reasons: One is the higher quality steel, and two is the solid build and construction. If you can afford to dish out, then I highly recommend it!
#7 Messermeister 8-Inch Kitchen Shears
Last (but not least!) on our list of top rated kitchen shears is the Messermeister 8-inch shears. It’s sharp, solid, effective, and best of all……cheap!
***CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT ON AMAZON***
What I Like About It
It Doesn’t Cost Much
As far as value for money is concerned, this is spot on! Keep in mind, not everyone wishes to spend $$$$ on kitchen shears, and so this is a great alternative.
Comfort Factor
One thing that most people fail to realize is comfort concerning knives and shears can be subjective. At the same time, it’s clear to see which manufacturers have made an effort as far as ergonomics are concerned, and which haven’t. Having said that, if you like a tight fit and have small fingers (like me!), you will like these!
Lifetime Warranty
For a product that costs so little, and to have lifetime coverage against defects is……AMAZING! Check out some of the reviews on amazon, and you’ll notice that mostly everyone who had issues got new replacements from Messermeister. Cool to see that they prefer replacement over repair.
What I Don’t Like About It
They Separate A Little Too Easy
By now you’ve probably realized, I am a picky guy. I always look for shears that can come apart easily, because that makes cleaning and maintenance so much more….well easier! But what if you have a pair of shears that come apart way too easily? The way I see it, that’s an even bigger problem because it affects the functionality of the pair. You can’t cut as wide, and if you do….the blades disengage. That’s my problem with this pair, and I think Messermeister could resolve this by having a tighter nut/peg assembly.
Just Before You Leave!
If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading! I hope this post will help you in your quest to find the best kitchen shears. However, there is one last thing I wish to touch on before you leave, and that is the importance of safety, storage and maintenance. I like to follow 3 simple rules when it comes to my kitchen shears….you should too!
Rule #1: Dishwashers Are Meant For Dishes!
DO NOT PLACE YOUR SHEARS IN A DISHWASHER. You will destroy them, if you haven’t already. It doesn’t matter if a manufacturer says their product is dishwasher safe. The truth is it’s not. Do yourself a favor and wash and dry by hand. Your shears will thank you, and most importantly your wallet will thank you!
Rule #2: Be Careful For Pete’s Sake!
In my opinion, shears are more dangerous than knives, and that’s because they have two movable blades. Having said that, you should always be cautious when picking up and using your kitchen shears. Take your time and don’t rush!
Rule #3: Store Them Properly
Shears just like knives are made from steel, so if we make storage such a big deal for knives….why wouldn’t we do the same for shears!? I’ve seen people leave their kitchen shears in all sorts of places from garages, to bathrooms and even backyards! It’s interesting that these are the same people who complain about rust and corrosion. If you store in a cool, dry place, you drastically reduce the chance of rust formation.
I’d Love To Know What’s Worked For You!
That’s all from me. I hope you enjoyed reading, and if you did, a share would be greatly appreciated. Also, what are your top rated kitchen shears and what’s worked for you? Drop me a comment below. See you next week!
Informative article. Appreciate you sharing. Shears, if used correctly can be very useful in any kitchen. Bookmarking as most of your other posts look interesting as well!
Thanks for reading and dropping a comment, Jude. Yes you are absolutely correct! And thanks for your kind words!
Informative article; thanks for sharing. I never put my knives and scissors in the dishwasher. Only dishes, spoons, and forks go in there. At least in the long run, I won’t need to worry about rust!
Rawan,
Thanks for reading and leaving a comment. Yes you are absolutely correct. Keep it up!
Well thank you for this! I am starting to spatchcock whole chicken to save time cooking, and I used a brand new knife the other day to cut through the back of the chicken. While this worked really well and very quickly, I was regretting doing this to a new chef knife!
I have avoided buying shears because I thought that they all came with the spring and extra “parts” that would make cleaning them a chore, so I am glad that things have improved in this area. Great post!
Thanks for leaving a comment Irma. Pretty much all the shears in this post are great if you want to spatchcock chicken or turkeys. If you have any questions, please let me know. Cheers!