If you peek near the handles of your kitchen scissors, you might spot a small jagged or ridged section that looks odd or pointless. In fact, this small toothed area is designed to help you grip and twist things around the kitchen.
This tiny built-in gripper works as a nutcracker, jar opener, or bone holder, giving you extra traction. When you close the scissors slowly, the jagged edges interlock, letting you firmly hold items without slipping.
It comes in handy for opening stubborn jar lids or bottle caps—just clamp the lid between the teeth and twist smoothly. This is especially useful for those who struggle with hand strength.
The toothed section also helps crack nuts without crushing them by squeezing gently until the shell breaks. For those with poultry shears, it can give you extra grip for breaking small bones safely.
Avoid using this feature on cheap or flimsy scissors, as it might damage them or cause injury. You can also use it for gripping tricky plastic caps, cracking crab shells, or holding tight twist-ties.
Many kitchen scissors don’t have this, but it’s popular on heavy-duty models. To check, simply look for a ridged part where the handles start to close.
Always be careful—don’t force it, keep your fingers clear, and clean the teeth after use. This small detail turns your scissors into a multi-use kitchen helper you might not be fully using.
