Scissors and Shears Information From The ScissorsCenter

A quality pair of scissors not only needs to open and close easily and precisely, they also have to stay lastingly sharp. There are huge differences in the quality of scissors and shears. It starts with the material, the steel. Equally important is the manufacturing process. The way scissors and shears are produced determines the characteristics of the finished product. Scissors and shears come in varying forms for different purposes. Some interesting facts about scissors and shears have been collected on the following pages. We thank ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS for much of the information and for their products which are of outstanding quality. Click To List All Scissors and Shears Return To ScissorsCenter

Scissors: Technical terms The different parts of a pair of scissors and their names

Scissors: Technical terms The most important parts of a pair of scissors are: 1. The two halves of a pair of scissors - upper and lower shear blade. The upper shear blade is the pointed part of the scissors (where the screw head and the trademark is visible). The lower shear blade is the corresponding lower part of the scissors. Both parts are connected by a screw (technical expression: stud). In order to cut well, the scissor blades must be formed and fitted that the cutting edges remain in contact when the scissors are closed. When cutting and closing they should only touch each other at one point. Because whatever needs cutting must not press the scissor blades apart, both blades are bent slightly against each other (draw) and turned (twist). The special finish of the inner surfaces of the blades (inner side) supports this action by its special shape. The upper and lower shear blades of high-quality scissors are manufactured with great care and then precisely joined. All scissors and shears by ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS are so well manufactured that, when the scissors are closed, the blades sit together tightly from the point to the joint area. A fine hollow-ground and an even crescent give the scissors its smooth action. 2. The joint area The joint area connects both blades with the screw. The crescent over which both shear blades run, sits exactly in what is called the "between". The exact form of the crescent and the precise assembly of upper and lower shear blades ensure the easy closing action of the scissors. High quality scissors and shears can be operated effortlessly and evenly. They have the so called smooth action. 3. The cutting edge The cutting edges on the upper and lower shear blades are the essential, sharply ground working parts of the scissors. Cutting edges are either smooth or serrated. a) scissors with a fine cutting edge The fine cutting edge is suited for cleanly cutting thin and light material such as paper, fabrics and foil. b) scissors with serrated cutting edge The serrated cutting edge is a feature of scissors and shears with special functions such as poultry shears.

Scissors: Technical terms 4. The area between "eyes" and blades: well formed handles The area between the "eyes" and the blade forms the handle. The eye ring is the working surface for the fingers. The eye rings should be formed so that they fit the natural shape of the fingers harmoniously. Of crucial importance for pain-free work is the careful, smooth surface finishing of the inside of the eye rings. Depending on the scissors' intended function - for rough or delicate work with either high or low energy involved - the eye ring must be appropriately large or small. The "eyes" are shaped according to the size and function of the scissors. To enable large scissors to be held and worked with two or more fingers, the eye ring is often significantly larger and oval. The eye rings of scissors with plastic handles can be adjusted to the anatomy of the hand particularly well. 5. The scissor tips: rounded or fine The finer the cutting requirements on a pair of scissors - e.g. embroidery scissors - the more pointed and narrower the tip needs to be. A good pair of scissors must cut cleanly right up to the last part of the blade. The points must fit well when closed so that it is possible to cut with the tips only. Well fitted blades lie on top of each other when closed.

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