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The Best Scissors For Everyday Use

The Best Scissors For Everyday Use

June 27, 2022 - Posted by Connie to Guides, Office, Arts and Crafts

The Best Scissors for Everyday Use

Scissors are the unsung heroes of office supplies. They are there for us when we need to snip the tags from a new sweater, cut out crafts, or open a package. While most of us just reach for whatever is available, a comfortable, sharp pair of scissors can be a revelation. After testing the different pairs that we carry, we're excited to show you these hand-picked scissors that are a cut above the rest. Read on or watch the video below to see an overview of our scissor recommendations.

Top Choice Scissors
Nakabayashi Sakutto Cut
Nakabayashi Sakutto Cut Scissors are available in a variety of blade shapes and coatings.
Whether you use them around the office or for crafting, these scissors are easy to use and durable. The Sakutto Cut scissors are available in a variety of blade shapes and coatings. The Standard scissors have straight blades while the Hikigiri scissors have curved blades that slice as you cut, reducing the amount of force you need to exert. Both scissors are available with uncoated stainless steel blades or non-stick fluorine coatings, but only the Hikigiri scissors come with durable titanium coatings.

The Sakutto Cut Scissors have large handles lined with hard rubber, which makes them comfortable to hold and use whether you’re right-handed or left-handed. Both the Standard and Hikigiri have a ridge on the inside flat surface of the blade that keeps adhesive residue from building up on them.

SCISSOR CONSIDERATIONS
Scissors Anatomy
Scissors Anatomy.

Beveling
If you want fuss-free cuts, consider blade coating and beveling when selecting scissors.
If you want fuss-free cuts, consider blade coating and beveling when selecting scissors.
The feeling of a sharp blade slicing neatly through paper is incredibly satisfying. If you want fuss-free cuts, consider beveling when selecting scissors. A beveled edge refers to an edge that is slanted rather than perpendicular to a surface. Most cutting tools have a beveled edge for safety and wear resistance. Some have a double bevel, in which a less acute cutting edge tops a sharply angled back bevel. This sacrifices some sharpness, but it protects the blade from chipping.
Coating
Scissors are made of stainless steel and can be coated with different materials.
Scissors are made of stainless steel and can be coated with different materials.
There are typically three types of blade finishes: uncoated, fluorine coated, and titanium coated. Most scissor blades are made of stainless steel. An added fluorine coating prevents sticky residue from building up on the blades when you cut through tape or labels. A titanium coating provides three times the blade durability of uncoated stainless steel, which makes titanium-coated scissors long-lasting and good for cutting cardboard and other thick materials.
Blade Shape
Straight blades are the most common, but scissors can also have curved blades.
Straight blades are the most common, but scissors can also have curved blades.
While most scissors come with straight blades, some scissors feature curved blades. The top blades on certain scissors are curved like the blades on pruning shears. They allow you to cut cleanly without expending a lot of force. The curved edge is longer than the straight edge, so it pulls along the surface of whatever you’re cutting. The scissors create a slicing action in addition to the shearing action of standard scissors.
Blade Ridge
Blade ridges are a special feature that resist adhesive residue.
Blade ridges are a special feature that resist adhesive residue.
When cutting through tape with regular scissors, the blades can become sticky with adhesive residue. This makes them difficult and uncomfortable to use, as it takes more force to separate the blades to cut through materials. While fluorine coating is one anti-residue feature, some scissors have ridges built into the blades. This keeps the adhesive from sticking to the blade edges, preventing the scissors from becoming gummy with adhesive build-up.
Safety
Many portable scissors come with sheaths that cover the blades.
Many portable scissors come with sheaths that cover the blades.
When selecting scissors, safety features are an important factor that can sometimes be overlooked. Many portable scissors (and some full-size scissors) come with sheaths that cover the blades. Sheaths prevent the blades from hurting you or poking holes into your bags.
Comfort
How comfortable a pair of scissors is depends on the size and material of its handles.
How comfortable a pair of scissors is depends on the size and material of its handles.
How comfortable a pair of scissors is depends on the size and material of its handles. The most comfortable scissors are full-sized with asymmetrical handle holes. They are built so that you can put your thumb through the upper hole and two fingers through the elliptical lower hole. This helps your hand balance the scissors comfortably. Scissors with two equal-sized holes are meant for you to place your thumb and one finger through each hole. They’re not as comfortable to hold since your other fingers are outside of the handle, forcing you to clench your fingers into your palm to get a good grasp on the scissors.

In terms of material, many scissors have stiff plastic handles. Some scissor handles have holes lined with a soft rubber or plastic material that adds extra comfort.

Size
Scissors come in all shapes and sizes.
Scissors come in all shapes and sizes.
Scissors come in all shapes and sizes. Frequent travelers might consider small scissors to keep in their bags for making little snips on the go. Small scissors are often not as sharp as large scissors and cut less with each snip. Larger scissors do not offer as much portability as their smaller siblings, but they are more versatile for a wider range of applications.
Scissor Recommendations
General Craft Scissors

Scissors are an important tool you can find in any crafter's case, whether it’s for snipping washi tape, cutting multiple sheets of paper, or trimming fabric. That’s why crafting scissors should cut precisely through different materials. They should also be comfortable to hold for long crafting sessions.

Nakabayashi Hikigiri Slim Scissors
Nakabayashi Hikigiri Slim Scissors are produced in a Japanese region known for its blades and cutlery.
These scissors are produced under the supervision of artisans from Seki, a Japanese region renowned for its blades and cutlery. They come with soft resin handles that feel comfortable to hold. Hikigiri is a Japanese term that means "cutting while pulling," which describes the cutting action of the curved upper blades. Each blade has a double bevel. The addition of the outer edge makes the blade a bit less sharp but less prone to damage.
Silky Nevanon DSN-210 210 mm Scissors
Silky Nevanon Scissors have a double coating to prevent rust and sticky residue accumulation.
True to its name, Silky Nevanon Scissors produce precise cuts with silky smoothness. The blades have a double layer of black coating and fluorine coating, which prevent rust and sticky tape residue from accumulating. The scissors are angled slightly where the blades meet the handles. This allows the blades to remain parallel with the surface you’re cutting without having to uncomfortably or unsafely twist your wrist, such as when cutting fabric. They sport roomy, plastic handles that provide a comfortable grip and are available for left-handed and right-handed crafters.
Detailed Craft Scissors

One misplaced cut in a craft project can require you to start from square one. That’s why smooth, even cutting is a must for detailed crafting scissors. Comfortable handles reduce hand strain during long crafting sessions.

TOOLS to LIVEBY Scissors
TOOLS to LIVEBY Scissors, which are available in three sizes, can tackle projects of any size.
TOOLS to LIVEBY Scissors are sleek and stylish additions to any crafting room. Their handles are lined with rubber to ensure you have a good grip when cutting. The Teflon Black scissors are coated to help reduce the accumulation of sticky residue from tape on the blades.

They are available in three sizes, ranging from 3 inches to 8 inches long. The 3 inch scissors can easily slip into a pen case or purse for crafting on the go or cutting off tags and loose threads. Additionally, its handles are as big as those on the 6.5 inch scissors, so they are just as comfortable to hold.

The 6.5 inch and 8 inch scissors can be used for tasks that require larger blade lengths, like cutting through scrapbook or wrapping paper. Choose the pair that suits your needs or get all three so you can tackle projects of any size.

Kokuyo Clippy Non-Stick Scissors
Kokuyo Clippy Non-Stick Scissors feature short blades that are easy to control.
Kokuyo Clippy Non-Stick Scissors have short blades that are easy to control and cut accurately. In addition, the blades are specially treated to reduce the build up of sticky residue. A ridge on the inside flat side of the blade also keeps adhesive away from the cutting edge. The Clippy Non-Stick is a great option if you work with a lot of washi tape. It comes with a plastic, clip-on holster so you can always keep it on you.
Non-Stick Scissors

If you work with lots of tape, non-stick scissors are a must. Scissors with a special coating resist the build-up of sticky residue on the blades. This prevents gummy scissors that are hard to control and cause hand strain.

Kokuyo Saxa Scissors
Kokuyo Saxa Scissors have handles lined with rubber and are comfortable for long crafting sessions.
The Kokuyo Saxa has fluorine-coated blades and built-in blade ridges that resist the build-up of adhesive on the blades. These scissors have large handles lined with hard rubber that are comfortable for long crafting sessions.
Raymay Swingcut Scissors
Raymay Swingcut Scissors utilize an off-center pivot point, generating a stronger cutting action that requires less force.
Another great choice for non-stick scissors is the Raymay Swingcut with fluorine coating. It may look like any regular pair of scissors, but it has an added innovative feature: the off-center pivot point allows you to create a stronger cutting action while exerting less force. The Swingcut’s asymmetrical handles are comfortable to hold, while the double-beveled blades resist chipping.
Portable Scissors

If you’re constantly on the go, it’s not always practical to carry a full-sized pair of scissors. Travel-friendly mini scissors make the perfect addition to small pencil cases, sewing kits, and first aid boxes. If you’re traveling by air, you might also need to consider security rules. For example, the TSA does not allow scissors with blades larger than four inches1 in carry-on bags. Small pen-style scissors like the Sun-Star Stickyle usually meet the requirements for air travel. However, they are not built for use over prolonged periods of time, so their portability sacrifices some comfort. For example, their smaller handle holes can be harder to use with large fingers.

Sun-Star Stickyle Scissors
Sun-Star Stickyle Scissors, while small, can cut through regular paper, cardboard, and even some leathers cleanly.
The Sun-Star Stickyle Scissors are perfect for travelers, students, and anyone who’s constantly on the go. The scissors are available in four different styles, ranging from the Mini with 0.6 inch blades to the Long Type with 2 inch blades. Though small, the blades cut through regular paper, cardboard, plastics, and even some leathers cleanly. They work perfectly for cutting tough plastic tags and loose threads.

To open the scissors, pull the cap from the plastic body slowly and carefully. The scissor spring should prop the blades open so that they’re ready for use.

Just squeeze the blades together and snip away. Keep in mind that since these scissors don’t have handle holes, they take a little time to get used to. Once you’re finished using the scissors, cap the blade to prevent accidents. Storing this pair of scissors is easy: the cap has a clip that easily attaches to pen loops inside bags and spiral notebook rings.

Raymay Pencut Scissors
Raymay Pencut Scissors have plastic finger loops that are extended by moving the sliders on the handles.
The Raymay Pencut shares similar design sensibilities as the Stickyle: namely, portability and easy storage. It comes in a pen shape and sports a cap to protect the blades. Unlike the Stickyle, the Raymay Pencut has plastic finger loops that you can extend by moving the sliders on the handles.

The Raymay Pencut is available in three different styles. The Premium line features thicker blades and is available with titanium or fluorine coating. The Two-Tone line sports cheerful color combinations that will stand out among other stationery in a pen case or bag.

The Mini, which is smaller than the Premium and Two-Tone, can be clipped to a shirt pocket or onto a keyring. The handles on the Two-Tone and Mini can also be converted between left-handed and right-handed modes by changing which sides of the handles the finger loops come out of.

Left-Handed Scissors

Good quality left-handed scissors are important for accurate, ergonomic use. Most scissors are designed for right-handers with the top cutting blade oriented on the right. This position makes it easy for right-handers to see the line they’re cutting as they hold a piece of paper with their left hand. Left-handers using right-handed scissors won’t be able to see what they’re cutting as easily. There’s also the issue of hand strain. When you use right-handed scissors with your right hand, the thumb hole connects to the blade closest to the body. This allows you to cut straight. Holding right-handed scissors in your left hand positions the shearing blade further away from you and causes you to cut outwards. Your left hand twists itself to the right in order to cut a straight line. This twisting strains your hand over long periods of cutting. Luckily, left-handed scissors are available.

Canary ESR-175L Scissors
Canary ESR-175L Scissors are double-beveled, which prolongs the blades' sharpness.
Our top recommendation for left-handers is the Canary ESR-175L. They have blades oriented for left-handed users, so you’ll always see the line you’re cutting. These double-beveled scissors have rubber-lined handles so they’re ergonomic and comfortable to use.
Allex S-165L Scissors
Allex S-165L Scissors feature handles that comfortably fit one finger in each handle hole.
If you prefer scissors with smaller handles, the Allex S-165L is a great option. These scissors have circular handles that comfortably fit one finger in each handle hole. Like the ESR-175L, the rubber grips are removable. The Allex are also single-beveled, which are sharper but more prone to chipping.
Specialty Scissors

The following scissors have special features that make them useful for tasks where regular scissors just won’t cut it, from zigzag blades for shredding to a built-in cutter for opening packages.

Sun-Star Shredder Scissors
Sun-Star Shredder Scissors can be used for paper, electronic storage devices, and even herbs.
Shredder scissors are convenient for cutting documents with sensitive information and take up much less space than a conventional paper shredder. Our favorite shredders are the Sun-Star Shredder Scissors. Its powerful zigzag blade minces paper, cardboard, and credit cards into 2.2 x 3 mm bits. Because the shredding width is about 2.2 mm, you can shred just the lines with sensitive information and leave the rest of your document intact. The scissors also have a claw-like tooth attached to the bottom blade so that you can break electronic storage devices like USBs and CDs. Beyond their office functions, these shredder scissors can even be used for mincing and chopping herbs.
Kokuyo Hakoake 2Way Scissors + Cutter
Kokuyo Hakoake 2Way Scissors + Cutter are an all-in-one tool for cutting tape and opening boxes.
The Kokuyo Hakoake 2Way Scissors + Cutter is a convenient all-in-one tool for cutting tape and opening boxes. The scissor blades feature small ridges on the inside of both blades, reducing the amount of sticky material that touches the blades. They also have a special “glueless” treatment, which makes it harder for sticky material to adhere to them.

The cutter can be utilized by squeezing the scissor handles together and pushing the slider on the side of the top handle forward. This allows the top scissor blade to move down and exposes the tip of its cutting edge.

The blade protrudes only 1 mm so you won’t cut too deeply into the package you’re opening and damage the items inside. The scissors also have a small plastic finger rest on the top blade to help you press down more comfortably when using the cutter. Releasing the scissor handles will cause the edge to retract, preventing you from accidentally leaving it exposed when not in use.

Fans of all-in-one tools can also check out the Stickyle Tasuno, which has scissors on one end and a double sided Phillips-head screwdriver attachment on the other.

How We Approach Research & Testing

Our writers draw on their personal expertise, consult our in-house subject matter experts, and do extensive research to make our guides as accurate and comprehensive as possible. We then test every finding that makes it through the research stage. Only the techniques and tools whose performance we personally confirm make it into our guides as recommendations.

COMPARE THESE SCISSORS

Do you want to review all of our recommended scissors at once? Use our comparison tool to see their specifications side by side.

CONCLUSION

From rigorous shredding to fine, precise cuts, scissors are a must for any home or office. What are your favorite scissors? Let us know in the comments below!

Shop This Post
Model# of Sheets Cut ThroughBlade LengthScissors LengthBest ForShop
Allex S-165L Scissors 20 sheets 2.0 inches 6.5 inches Left-Handed, General Purpose Add to Cart
Canary ESR-175L Scissors 25 sheets 2.8 inches 6.9 inches Left-Handed, General Purpose Add to Cart
Kokuyo Clippy Non-Stick Scissors 25 sheets 1.9 inches 4.9 inches Detailed Crafting, On-The-Go Add Items to Cart
Kokuyo Hakoake 2Way Scissors + Cutter 20 sheets 2.6 inches 6.9 inches General Purpose, Non-Stick Add Items to Cart
Kokuyo Saxa Scissors 25 sheets 2.8 inches 6.8 inches General Purpose, Non-Stick Add Items to Cart
Nakabayashi Hikigiri Slim Scissors 25 sheets 2.7 inches 7.1 inches General Crafting Add Items to Cart
Nakabayashi Sakutto Cut Scissors 25 sheets 2.8 inches 6.8 inches General Purpose Add Items to Cart
Raymay Pencut Scissors 20 sheets 1.1 inches - 2.3 inches 3.7 inches - 5.7 inches On-The-Go Add Items to Cart
Raymay Swingcut Scissors 25 sheets 3.0 inches 7.2 inches Non-stick Add Items to Cart
Silky Nevanon DSN-210 210 mm Scissors 25 sheets 3.3 inches 8.4 inches General Crafting Add Items to Cart
Sun-Star Shredder Scissors 5 sheets 2.8 inches 7.3 inches Shredding Add to Cart
Sun-Star Stickyle Scissors 20 sheets 0.6 inches - 2.0 inches 2.0 inches - 5.9 inches On-The-Go Add Items to Cart
TOOLs to LIVEBY Scissors 25 sheets 0.9 inches - 4.1 inches 3.0 inches - 8.0 inches Detailed Crafting, Non-Stick Add Items to Cart