Have you ever noticed that small, jagged section on your kitchen scissors right by the handles? It might seem decorative or just a leftover from the design process, but it actually serves a purpose. That little toothed part is a built-in gripper designed to help with a variety of kitchen tasks beyond just cutting.
Placed where the handles curve inward, this ridged patch acts like a mini nutcracker or jar opener. When you close your scissors slowly, the teeth line up to create a strong grip surface. This allows you to hold and twist things firmly without your hands slipping.
One of the best uses for this feature is opening tight jar lids. Instead of struggling with towels or banging jars, you can clamp the lid between the teeth and twist with ease. It’s perfect for small bottles too, making it a useful tool especially for people who find it hard to grip tightly, like those with arthritis.
You can also crack nuts by gently squeezing them in this toothed section until the shell cracks. It works well for walnuts and pecans, letting you open nuts without crushing the kernels inside. If your scissors are heavy-duty or poultry shears, the gripper helps break small bones, such as chicken wings, by holding the bone steady as you cut.
Don’t use this on lightweight scissors though—it could cause damage or injury. Besides these tasks, the toothed area can assist with gripping slippery plastic caps, cracking crab legs, twisting out corks, or holding tough twist-ties for a clean cut.
Having this feature means you get multiple tools in one without cluttering your kitchen. Not all kitchen scissors have it, but it’s common on heavy-duty and multipurpose models. Just look for a ridged notch between the handles.
Remember basic safety: don’t force it on very hard items, keep fingers clear of the teeth, and clean it carefully after use, especially if it touches raw foods.
So next time you grab your kitchen scissors, try using that hidden toothed part—you might be amazed how handy it can be.
