View source for Scissors

{{Short description|Hand-operated cutting instrument}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Pp-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{More citations needed|date=January 2020}}
[[File:Standard household scissors.jpg|thumb|A pair of standard scissors]]

'''Scissors''' are hand-operated shearing tools. A pair of scissors consists of a pair of [[blade]]s pivoted so that the sharpened edges slide against each other when the [[handle]]s (bows) opposite to the pivot are closed. Scissors are used for cutting various thin materials, such as [[paper]], [[paperboard|cardboard]], [[metal leaf|metal foil]], [[cloth]], [[rope]], and [[wire]]. A large variety of scissors and shears all exist for specialized purposes. [[Hair-cutting shears]] and [[kitchen shears]] are functionally equivalent to scissors, but the larger implements tend to be called [[Shears (disambiguation)#Cutting devices|shears]]. Hair-cutting shears have specific blade angles ideal for cutting [[hair]]. Using the incorrect type of scissors to cut hair will result in increased damage or split ends, or both, by breaking the hair. Kitchen shears, also known as kitchen scissors, are intended for cutting and trimming foods such as meats.

Inexpensive, mass-produced modern scissors are often designed [[ergonomically]] with composite [[thermoplastic]] and [[rubber]] handles.

==Terminology==
The noun ''scissors'' is treated as a [[Plurale tantum|plural noun]] and therefore takes a plural verb (e.g., ''these scissors are'').<ref>{{Cite Merriam-Webster|scissors|access-date=2025-05-21}}</ref> Alternatively, the tool is referred to by the singular phrase ''a pair of scissors''.<ref>{{Cite Collins Dictionary|pair of scissors|access-date=21 May 2025}}</ref> The word ''shears'' is used to describe similar instruments that are larger in size and for heavier cutting.<ref>{{Cite Merriam-Webster|shear|access-date=2025-05-21}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:汉代剪刀.jpg|thumb|[[Han dynasty]] scissors]]
[[File:Shears MET 29I E08R4.jpg|thumb|These shears are thought to date to the 2nd century AD and come from a [[Roman Empire|Roman]] settlement in [[Trabzon]], Turkey. The style of the "Egyptianizing" metal inlay designs suggests that they were made to imitate actual [[Art of ancient Egypt|Egyptian art]]. When closed, the dog and cat figures at the tips come face to face.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/547870 |title=Shears: Roman Period |website=[[Metropolitan Museum]] |access-date=2018-07-18 |date=n.d. |archive-date=2018-07-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718234449/https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/547870 |url-status=live }}</ref>]]

===Early manufacture===
The [[Zhang Xiaoquan|Hangzhou Zhang Xiaoquan Company]] in Hangzhou, China, has been manufacturing scissors since 1663.<ref name="Sudworth">{{cite news|last1=Sudworth|first1=John|title=The scissor-maker that has cut through Chinese history|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-22160739|work=BBC News|date=2013-04-22|access-date=2018-07-21|archive-date=2018-05-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180505022602/http://www.bbc.com/news/business-22160739|url-status=live}}</ref>

Pivoted scissors were not manufactured in large numbers until 1761, when [[Robert Hinchliffe]] of [[Sheffield]] produced the first pair of modern-day scissors made of hardened and polished [[steel casting|cast steel]]. His major challenge was to form the bows; first, he made them solid, then drilled a hole, and then filed away metal to make this large enough to admit the user's fingers. This process was laborious, and apparently Hinchliffe improved upon it in order to increase production. Hinchliffe lived in Cheney Square (now the site of [[Sheffield Town Hall#Previous buildings|Sheffield Town Hall]]), and set up a sign identifying himself as a "fine scissor manufacturer". He achieved strong sales in London and elsewhere.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/stream/sheffieldineigh00leadgoog#page/n76/mode/2up/search/Hinchcliffe |title=[Reminiscences of] Sheffield in the Eighteenth Century |pages=69–70 |date=1901 |publisher=The Sheffield Independent Press Limited |place=Sheffield |first=Robert Eadon |last=Leader }}</ref>

===Modern manufacturing regions===

====China====

The vast majority of global scissor manufacturing takes place in China. As of 2019, China was responsible for 64.3% of worldwide scissors exports. When combined with Chinese Taipei exports, this rises to 68.3%.<ref>[https://oec.world/en/resources/about The Observatory of Economy Complexity, trade data for scissors as of 2019] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106192118/https://oec.world/en/resources/about |date=2022-01-06 }}. Retrieved 11/29/21.</ref>

The Hangzhou Zhang Xiaoquan Company, founded in 1663, is one of the oldest continuously operating scissor manufacturers in the world. The company was nationalized in 1958 and now employs 1500 people who annually mass-produce an estimated seven million pairs of inexpensive scissors that retail for an average of US$4 each.<ref name="Sudworth"/>

====France====

In the late 14th century, the English word "scissors" came into usage. It was derived from the Old French word {{Lang|fro|cisoires}}, which referred to shears.<ref>(2014-11-03) [https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2014/11/3/1341085/-History-101-Scissors "History 101: Scissors"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106192120/https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2014/11/3/1341085/-History-101-Scissors |date=2022-01-06 }}, Daily KOS. Retrieved 12-04-21</ref>

There are several historically important scissor-producing regions in France: Haute-Marne in Nogent-en Bassigny, Châtellereault, Thiers and Rouen.<ref>[https://sajou.fr/en/1149-reeditions-of-vintage-scissors "Re-editions of Vintage Scissors"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106192118/https://sajou.fr/en/1149-reeditions-of-vintage-scissors |date=2022-01-06 }}, Sajou Blog. Retrieved 01-06-22</ref> These towns, like many other scissor-producing communities, began with sabre, sword and bayonet production, which transitioned to scissors and other blades in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.<ref>[https://www.champagne-ardenne-tourism.co.uk/what-do/visiting/sites-visit/nogent-1217037 Official Website for Tourism in Champagne-Ardenne] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106192123/https://www.champagne-ardenne-tourism.co.uk/what-do/visiting/sites-visit/nogent-1217037 |date=2022-01-06 }}. Retrieved 01-06-22</ref>

Thiers, in the Puy-de-Dôme department of Auvergne, remains an important centre of scissor and cutlery production. It is home to both the Musée de la Coutellerie, which showcases the town's 800-year history of blade-making,<ref>Alastair (2020-01-12) [https://mechtraveller.com/2020/01/thiers-cutlery-capital-of-france/ "Thiers: Cutlery Capital of France"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106192118/https://mechtraveller.com/2020/01/thiers-cutlery-capital-of-france/ |date=2022-01-06 }}. Mechtravller.  Retrieved 01-06-22</ref> as well as [[:fr:Coutellia|Coutellia]], an industry tradeshow that advertises itself as one of the largest annual gatherings of artisanal blade-makers in the world.

====Germany====

Germany was responsible for manufacturing just under 7% of global scissors exports in 2019.<ref>[https://oec.world/en/profile/hs92/scissors The Observatory of Economy Complexity, trade data for scissors as of 2019.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106192116/https://oec.world/en/profile/hs92/scissors |date=2022-01-06 }} Retrieved 12/04/21.</ref> Often called "The City of Blades", [[Solingen]], in North Rhine-Westphalia, has been a center for the manufacturing of scissors since medieval times. At the end of the 18th century it's estimated that there were over 300 scissorsmiths in Solingen.<ref>Zautor, Capital (2019-04-13) [https://www-capital-de.translate.goog/wirtschaft-politik/die-scharfmacher?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=sc "How the Knife Makers from Solingen Survived"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106193622/https://www-capital-de.translate.goog/wirtschaft-politik/die-scharfmacher?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=sc |date=2022-01-06 }}. Retrieved 12/04/21</ref>

In 1995 the City of Solingen passed The Solingen Ordinance, an update to a 1930s law that decreed "Made in Solingen" stamps could only be applied to products almost entirely manufactured in the old industrial area of Solingen. In 2019 this applied to approximately 150 companies making high-quality blades of all kinds, including scissors.<ref>Zautor, Capital (2019-04-13) [https://www-capital-de.translate.goog/wirtschaft-politik/die-scharfmacher?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=sc "How the Knife Makers from Solingen Survived"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106193622/https://www-capital-de.translate.goog/wirtschaft-politik/die-scharfmacher?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=sc |date=2022-01-06 }}. Retrieved 12/04/21</ref>

Friedrich Herder, founded in Solingen in 1727, is one of the oldest scissors manufacturers still operating in Germany.<ref>[https://www.herder-solingen.de/ Friedrich Herder: Company History.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106192119/https://www.herder-solingen.de/ |date=2022-01-06 }} Retrieved 12/04/21</ref>

====Italy====

[[File:Detatchable kitchen.jpg|thumb|right|Classic Italian-style kitchen scissors, often used to cut food. The two halves can be detached in order to be cleaned.]]

Premana, in Lecco Province, has its origins in ironworks and knife manufacturing beginning in the 16th century. In 1900 there were ten scissor manufacturing workshops, 20 in 1952 and 48 by 1960.<ref>[https://www.comune.premana.lc.it/c097069/zf/index.php/servizi-aggiuntivi/index/index/idtesto/20132 Municipality of Premana: Economy.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107035356/https://www.comune.premana.lc.it/c097069/zf/index.php/servizi-aggiuntivi/index/index/idtesto/20132 |date=2022-01-07 }} Retrieved 11/27/21.</ref> Today, Consorzio Premax, an industrial partnership, organizes over 60 local companies involved in the manufacture of scissors for global markets.<ref>[https://www.eccolecco.it/en/towns-lombardy/premana/ Ecco Lecco Tourist Guide to Lecco Province: Premana.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107035418/https://www.eccolecco.it/en/towns-lombardy/premana/ |date=2022-01-07 }} Retrieved 11/27/21.</ref> In 2019 Italy exported 3.5% of scissors manufactured globally.<ref>[https://oec.world/en/profile/hs92/scissors The Observatory of Economy Complexity, trade data for scissors as of 2019.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106192116/https://oec.world/en/profile/hs92/scissors |date=2022-01-06 }} Retrieved 12/04/21.</ref>

One of the oldest Premanese scissor manufacturing firms still in operation is Sanelli Ambrogio, which was founded in 1869.<ref>[https://www.sanelliambrogio.it/en/azienda.aspx Ambrogio Sanelli: Company History.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510192653/https://www.sanelliambrogio.it/en/azienda.aspx |date=2021-05-10 }} Retrieved 11/27/21.</ref>

====Japan====

Scissormaking in Japan evolved from sword making in the 14th century.<ref>Sibert, Jake (2018-09-19) [https://hypebeast.com/2018/9/sasuke-japan-scissors-35000-usd-bonsai "See Why This Pair of Scissors Costs $35,000 USD"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106192117/https://hypebeast.com/2018/9/sasuke-japan-scissors-35000-usd-bonsai |date=2022-01-06 }}, HypeBeast Great Big Story. Retrieved 12-04-21.</ref> Seki, in Gifu Prefecture, was a renowned center of swordmaking beginning in the 1200s. After citizens were no longer permitted to carry swords, the city's blacksmiths turned to making scissors and knives.<ref>[https://visitseki.jp/ Visit Seki Official Guide, Gifu Prefecture.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106192120/https://visitseki.jp/ |date=2022-01-06 }} Retrieved 12/04/21</ref> There are many specialized types of Japanese scissors, but sewing scissors were introduced by American Commodore Matthew Perry from the United States in 1854.<ref>Kitajima Y., Kito K., Migaki M., Matsumuro K., Murata Y., Hamada H. (2015) [https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-21073-5_13 Process Analysis of Manufacturing of Sewing Scissors by All Forging Process and Understanding of Its Sharpness. In: Duffy V. (eds) Digital Human Modeling. Applications in Health, Safety, Ergonomics and Risk Management: Human Modeling.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409220441/https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-21073-5_13 |date=2022-04-09 }} DHM 2015. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 9184. Springer, Cham.</ref>

The Sasuke workshop in Sakai City south of Osaka is run by Yasuhiro Hirakawa, a 5th generation scissorsmith. The company has been in operation since 1867.<ref>Ken (2019-12-27), [https://matcha-jp.com/en/8529 "Sasuke: Witness the Art of Japanese Blacksmithing in Osaka"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106192122/https://matcha-jp.com/en/8529 |date=2022-01-06 }}, Matcha Japan. Retrieved 12/04/21.</ref> Yasuhiro Hirakawa is the last traditional scissormaker in Japan, making scissors in the traditional style where the blades are believed to be thinner, lighter and sharper than European scissors.<ref>Kazue (2021-04-19) [https://japanonlinetour.com/blog/discovering-japanese-quality-scissors-and-knives-tour/ "Discovering Quality Japanese Scissors and Knives"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106193628/https://japanonlinetour.com/blog/discovering-japanese-quality-scissors-and-knives-tour/ |date=2022-01-06 }}. Retrieved 12-04-21</ref> In 2018 he was profiled in a documentary that featured a pair of his bonsai snips which retailed for US$35,000.<ref>Sibert, Jake (2018-09-19) [https://hypebeast.com/2018/9/sasuke-japan-scissors-35000-usd-bonsai "See Why This Pair of Scissors Costs $35,000 USD"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106192117/https://hypebeast.com/2018/9/sasuke-japan-scissors-35000-usd-bonsai |date=2022-01-06 }}, HypeBeast Great Big Story. Retrieved 12-04-21</ref>

====Spain====

In Solsona, Spain, scissor manufacturing began in the 16th century. At the industry's peak in the 18th century there were 24 workshops, organized as the Guild of Saint Eligius, the patron saint of knife makers.<ref>[http://www.pallaressolsona.com/en/about-us/ Pallarès Solsona: Company History.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106192129/http://www.pallaressolsona.com/en/about-us/ |date=2022-01-06 }} Retrieved 11/27/21.</ref> By the mid-1980s there were only two, and by 2021, Pallarès Solsona, founded in 1917 by Lluìs and Carles Pallarès Canal, and still family-operated, was the town's sole remaining artisanal scissor manufacturer.<ref>[https://reste.co.uk/blogs/journal-1/carving-a-place-in-history "The Makers: Carving a Place in History"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106192119/https://reste.co.uk/blogs/journal-1/carving-a-place-in-history |date=2022-01-06 }}, Reste Journal. Retrieved 11/27/21</ref>

====United Kingdom====

Sheffield was home to the first mass production of scissors beginning in 1761. By the 19th century there were an estimated 60 steel scissor companies in Sheffield. However, since the 1980s, industry globalization and a shift towards cheaper, mass-produced scissors created price deflation that many artisanal manufacturers could not compete with. The Sheffield scissor industry consisted of just two local companies in 2021.<ref>[https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/scissor-making/ Scissor-Making: Red List of Endangered Crafts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106192118/https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/scissor-making/ |date=2022-01-06 }}, British Heritage Crafts Association. Retrieved 11/27/21</ref>

The two remaining Sheffield scissor manufacturers are William Whiteley, founded in 1760,<ref>[https://www.whiteley.co.uk/heritage/ William Whiteley: Heritage.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106192120/https://www.whiteley.co.uk/heritage/ |date=2022-01-06 }} Retrieved 12/04/21</ref> and [[Ernest Wright (scissors maker)|Ernest Wright]], which was established in 1902. Both now focus on high-end/niche crafting of "products for life" rather than mass production.<ref>Floyd, Charlie (2021-04-04) [https://www.businessinsider.com/why-traditional-sheffield-scissors-scissors-are-so-expensive-2020-4 "Why Ernest Wright Scissors are so expensive"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107035320/https://www.businessinsider.com/why-traditional-sheffield-scissors-scissors-are-so-expensive-2020-4 |date=2022-01-07 }}. Business Insider. Retrieved 11/27/21</ref> Between these two firms it is estimated that there are no more than ten "putter-togetherers" or "putters" who are the master-trained craftspeople responsible for high quality Sheffield scissor assembly.<ref>[https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/scissor-making/ Scissor-Making: Red List of Endangered Crafts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106192118/https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/scissor-making/ |date=2022-01-06 }}, British Heritage Crafts Association. Retrieved 11/27/21</ref> In 2020, Ernest Wright was recognized with the Award for Endangered Crafts by the British Heritage Crafts Association.<ref>Carpenter, Daniel (2020-10-08), [https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/winners-of-the-2020-heritage-crafts-awards/ "Winners of the 2020 Heritage Crafts Awards"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106192121/https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/winners-of-the-2020-heritage-crafts-awards/ |date=2022-01-06 }}. Retrieved 11/27/21</ref>

== Right-handed and left-handed scissors ==
[[File:RH-LH sidebents.jpg|thumb|Left-handed (left) and right-handed (right) sidebent scissors]]
There are two varieties of left-handed scissors. Many common left-handed scissors (often called "semi"-left-handed scissors) simply have reversed finger grips. The blades open and close as with right-handed scissors, so that users tend to pull the blades apart as they are cutting. This can be challenging for craftspeople as the blades still obscure the cut. "True" left-handed scissors have both reversed finger grips and reversed blade layout, like mirror images of right-handed scissors.<ref>"What's the Difference Between Right- and Left-Handed Scissors?" Kim Griffin, Griffin Occupational Therapy Blog. https://www.griffinot.com/difference-left-handed-scissors/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127161351/https://www.griffinot.com/difference-left-handed-scissors/ |date=2021-11-27 }}, retrieved 11/27/21</ref>  A left-handed person accustomed to using semi-left handed scissors may find using true left-handed scissors difficult at first, as they may have learned to rely heavily on the strength of their thumb to pull the blades apart vs. pushing the blades together in order to cut.<ref>"Do You Know – Left-Handed Scissors" Olive Branch Educators, https://www.obeducators.com/reflections/do-you-know-left-handed-scissors {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127161352/https://www.obeducators.com/reflections/do-you-know-left-handed-scissors |date=2021-11-27 }}, retrieved 11/27/21</ref>

Some scissors are marketed as [[ambidextrous]]. These have symmetric handles so there is no distinction between the thumb and finger handles, and have very strong pivots so that the blades rotate without any lateral give. However, most "ambidextrous" scissors are in fact still right-handed in that the upper blade is on the right, and hence is on the outside when held in the right hand. Even if they cut successfully, the blade orientation will block the view of the cutting line for a left-handed person. True ambidextrous scissors are possible if the blades are double-edged and one handle is swung all the way around (to almost 360 [[Degree (angle)|degrees]]) so that what were the backs of the blades become the new cutting edges. {{US patent|3978584}} was awarded for true ambidextrous scissors.

==Specialized scissors and shears==
Specialized scissors and shears include:

=== Gardening, agriculture and animal husbandry ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Type
! Image
! Description/purpose
|-
| [[Hedge trimmer]]s
| [[File:Taille haie.jpg|150x150px]]
| for trimming [[hedge (barrier)|hedges]]
|-
| [[Grass shears]]
| [[File:Gardena-Grasschere klassisch.jpg|150px]]
| for trimming grass
|-
| [[Averruncator]]s
| [[File:Averruncator.png|150x150px]]
| for trimming high branches
|-
| [[Pruning shears]] or secateurs
| [[File:Secateur ouvert.jpg|150px]]
| for trimming small branches
|-
| [[Loppers]] 
| [[File:Astschere.jpg|150x150px]]
| for cutting through large branches
|-
| [[Sheep shearing#Blade shears|Blade shears]]
| [[File:BladeShears.jpg|150px]]
| for cutting an animal's fleece to harvest wool
|}

===Food and drug===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Type
! Image
! Description/purpose
|-
| Kitchen scissors or kitchen shears 
| [[File:Kitchen scissors.jpg|150px]]
| for food preparation and other purposes
|-e

| Poultry shears 
| [[File:Gefligelschéier.jpg|150px]]
| to cut [[poultry]]
|-
| [[Cigar cutter]]
| [[File:Cigar cutter.JPG|150px]]
| specialized scissors with concave blade edges to cut cigars
|}

===Grooming===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Type
! Image
! Description/purpose
|-
| [[Hair-cutting shears]]
| [[File:Hair Cutting Scissors.jpg|150px]]
| for trimming hair
|-
| Thinning shears
| [[File:Modellierschere.jpg|150px]]
| for thinning thick hair to avoid a bushy look
|-
| [[Hair clipper]]s
| [[File:Manual hair clippers.JPG|150px]]
| used by [[barber]]s, [[hairdresser]]s, and [[Dog grooming|pet groomers]] for cutting hair
|-
| Nail scissors
| [[File:Nagelschere.jpg|150px]]
| for cutting [[Nail (anatomy)|nails]]
|-
| Nose scissors
| [[File:Nose scissors.jpg|150px]]
| small scissors for [[nostril]] and ear hair
|}

===Metalwork===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Type
! Image
! Description/purpose
|-
| [[Snips#Tinner snips|Tinner snips]]
| [[File:Tin snips.jpg|150px]]
| for cutting through [[tin]]
|-
| [[Snips#Compound-action snips|Compound-action snips]]
| [[File:Cortachapa.png|150px]]
| for cutting through [[aluminium]] and [[stainless steel]]
|-
| Pipe and duct snips
|
|for cutting through [[Exhaust system|stove pipe]] and ducting
|-
| [[Hydraulic rescue tools|Hydraulic cutters]]
| [[File:Extrication cutter 1.jpg|150px]]
| for cutting heavy sheet metal, often in [[traffic collisions]]. Sometimes referred to by the [[genericized trademark]] "Jaws of Life".
|-
| [[Shear (sheet metal)#Throatless shear|Throatless shear]]
| [[File:ThroatlessShear.jpg|150x150px]]
| for cutting complex shapes in sheet metal
|}

===Medical===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Type
! Image
! Description/purpose
|-
| [[Trauma shears]], or "tuff cuts"
| [[File:Aa_trauma_shears.jpg|150px]]
| for use in emergency medical response and rescue to cut off clothing
|-
| Dissection scissors
| 
| for cutting flesh in [[dissection]]{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}
|-
| [[Surgical scissors]]
| [[File:Mayo scissors 02.jpg|150px]]
| for cutting flesh in [[surgery]]<ref name="FullerFuller2012">{{cite book |last=Fuller |first=Joanna Kotcher |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DBU662BLit0C&pg=PA234 |title=Surgical Technology: Principles and Practice |last2=Fuller |first2=Joanna Ruth |publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences |year=2012 |isbn=978-1-4557-2506-9 |page=234}}</ref>
|-
| [[Suture scissors]]
| [[File:Suture scissors on gray.png|150px]]
| for cutting [[Surgical suture|sutures]], the hook lifts the suture
|-
| [[Iris scissors]]
|
| for [[ophthalmic surgery]]{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}
|-
| [[Metzenbaum scissors]]
| [[File:Metzenbaum scissors.jpg|150px]]
| for delicate surgery{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}
|-
| [[Tenotomy scissors]]
| [[File:Tenotomy scissors.jpg|150px]]
| for delicate surgery<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bilsky |first1=Mark H. |last2=Vitaz |first2= Todd W.|year=2002|title=Surgical treatment of superior sulcus tumors with spinal and brachial plexus involvement|journal=[[Journal of Neurosurgery]]|volume=97|issue=3|pages=301–309|doi=10.3171/spi.2002.97.3.0301|pmid=12408383 }}</ref>
|-
| [[Mayo scissors]]
| [[File:Mayo surgical scissors.jpg|150px]]
| often for cutting [[fascia]]{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}
|-
| [[Bandage scissors]]
| [[File:Bandage Scissors.JPG|150px]]
| for cutting bandages<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Burnham|first=Preston J.|date=1958-10-11|title=New bandage scissors|journal=[[Journal of the American Medical Association]]|volume=168|issue=6|pages=760|doi=10.1001/jama.1958.63000060001011|pmid=13575196}}</ref>
|}

===Ceremonial===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Type
! Image
! Description/purpose
|-
| Ceremonial scissors
| [[File:Joshua Kent, with the help of Col. Jay Silveria cut the ribbon and Carlos Mencia Kid Rock and Jessie James cut the ribbon to open new fitness stations at RAF Lakenheath.jpg|150px]]
| giant scissors used for ceremonial [[Ribbon-cutting ceremony|ribbon-cutting events]]{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}
|}

===Sewing and clothes-making===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Type
! Image
! Description/purpose
|-
| Crafting scissors
| [[File:Paper trimmers.jpg|150px]]
| for cutting materials for [[Craft|crafts]]{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}
|-
| [[Buttonhole]] scissors
| [[File:Forbici da occhielli.jpg|80px]]
| for opening buttonholes{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}
|-
| [[Dressmaker's shears]]
| [[File:Tailors shears LH.jpg|150px]]
| for cutting fabric for [[Dressmaker|dressmaking]]{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}
|-
| [[Embroidery scissors]]
| [[File:Embroidery scissors2022.jpg|100px]]
| for cutting fabric for [[embroidery]]{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}
|-
| [[Pinking shears]]
| [[File:Zackenschere.jpg|150px]]
| for cutting cloth leaving a sawtooth edge{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}
|-
| [[Tailor]]'s scissors
| [[File:Schere 18-19 Jh.jpg|150px]]
| for cutting through heavy-duty materials such as leather or multiple layers of fabric{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}
|}

=== Primary education ===
{{anchor|Safety scissors}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Type
! Image
! Description/purpose
|-
| Safety scissors
| [[File:Safety scissors blue.jpg|150x150px]]
| for children to learn and practice how to use scissors; tips are blunt to reduce injury risk; small size, for children's hands
|}

== In popular culture ==
{{In popular culture|section|date=May 2025}}
Due to their ubiquity across cultures and classes, scissors have numerous representations across world culture.

===Art===
Numerous art forms worldwide enlist scissors as a tool/material with which to accomplish the art. For cases where scissors appear in or are represented by the final art product, see '''[[Commons:Category:Scissors in art]]'''.

===Film===
*''[[Dead Again]]'' is a 1991 film starring [[Kenneth Branagh]] and [[Emma Thompson]] in a thriller revolving around repressed memories of scissors.
*''[[Edward Scissorhands]]'' is a 1990 film starring [[Johnny Depp]] as a young man who has hands made of multiple pairs of scissors.
*''[[Us (2019 film)|Us]]'' is a 2019 [[psychological horror film]] directed by [[Jordan Peele]] about a family confronted by their scissor-wielding [[doppelgänger]]s.

===Games===
* The game [[rock paper scissors]] involves two or more players making shapes with their hands to determine the outcome of the game. One of the three shapes, 'scissors', is made by extending the index and middle fingers to mimic the shape of most scissors.
* In the horror video game franchise ''[[Clock Tower (series)|Clock Tower]]'', recurring antagonist [[Scissorman]] is a demonic serial killer with a giant pair of scissors.
*An [[anthropomorphism|anthropomorphic]] pair of scissors appears as a [[Boss (video games)|boss]] in ''[[Paper Mario: The Origami King]]''. Various additions of scissor related activity appear as well, such as a variation of rock paper scissors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/paper-mario-origami-king/Bowser's_Castle|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King Wiki Guide: Bowser's Castle|date=2020-08-20|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=2022-04-09|archive-date=2022-03-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310140814/https://www.ign.com/wikis/paper-mario-origami-king/Bowser%27s_Castle|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Literature===

* [[Heinrich Hoffmann (author)|Heinrich Hoffmann]]'s 1845 children's book [[Struwwelpeter]] includes Die Geschichte vom Daumenlutscher ("The Story of the Thumb-Sucker") in which a child continues to suck his thumbs despite his mother's warnings about The Great Tall Scissorman.
*"[[Save Your Scissors]]" – song by [[City and Colour]].
*The song "Scissors" by American Rock Band "Slipknot"

===Proverbs===
[[Proverbs]] about scissors are found in many language communities.
* "Dull scissors don't cut straight." English<ref>p. 527. [[Wolfgang Mieder|Mieder, Wolfgang]], Stewart Kingsbury, Kelsie Harder. 1992. ''A Dictionary of American Proverbs''. Oxford University Press.</ref>
* "An old bachelor is only half a pair of scissors." English<ref>p. 50. Christy, Robert. ''Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages'', Volume 1. Putnam. 1889.</ref>
* "A man without a woman like half a scissors, that would not cut but scratch." [[Romanian language|Romanian]]<ref>p. 28. Bărbulescu, Elena. "Constructing Gender in Romanian Proverbs." ''Studia Universitatis Babeş-Bolyai-Historia'' 57, no. Special (2012): 21-33.</ref>
* "Scissors do not cut out the scissors' nail." [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]]<ref>p. 22, Vargha, Katalin, and Anna T. Litovkina. "Punning in Hungarian anti-proverbs." ''The European Journal of Humour Research'' 1, no. 3 (2013): 15-25.</ref>
* "A face shaped like petals of the lotus, a voice as cool as sandal, a heart like a pair of scissors, and excessive humility, these are the signs of a rogue." [[Sanskrit]]<ref>p. 445. Carr, Mark William.''Sanskrit Proverbs''. Asian Educational Services, 1999.</ref>
* "Those who have scissors are many but those who sew are none." Pagu<ref>p. 333, Perangin-Angin, Dalan M., and Novita Dewi. "A study of Pagu proverbs: Saving an endangered language of [[North Halmahera]]." ''Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics'' 10, no. 2 (2020): 327-339.</ref>
* "Spoon, fork, scissors, and lamp are not for little children." [[Volga Germans|Volga German]]<ref>p. 56, Gabel, Marie. "Proverbs of Volga German settlers in Ellis County." ''Heritage of Kansas'' v.9 no.2-3:55-59, (2012).</ref>

===Sport===
The term 'scissor kick' may be found in several sports, including:
*[[Scissor kick (strike)]], a generic martial arts term for any of a number of moves that may resemble the appearance or action of a pair of scissors.
*[[Bicycle kick]]s in [[association football|football]] are sometimes known as 'scissor kicks'.
*[[Human swimming|Swimming]] strokes including the [[sidestroke]] incorporate a leg movement often known as a 'scissor kick'.

===Superstition===
Scissors have a widespread place in cultural superstitions. In many cases, the details of the superstition may be specific to a given country, region, tribe, religion or even situation.
*Africa
**In parts of North [[Africa]], it was held that scissors could be used to [[curse]] a bridegroom. When the bridegroom was on horseback, the person enacting the curse would stand behind him with the scissors open and call his name. If the bridegroom answered to his name being called, the scissors would then be snapped shut and the bridegroom would be unable to consummate his marriage with his bride.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ht_02x-2JksC&q=scissors+superstitions&pg=PA213 |title=Encyclopedia of Superstitions 1949 – Edwin Radford, Mona A. Radford – Google Boeken |date=October 2004 |isbn=9781417976553 |access-date=2012-02-28 |last1=Radford |first1=Edwin |last2=Radford |first2=Mona A. |publisher=Kessinger |archive-date=2022-04-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409220439/https://books.google.com/books?id=Ht_02x-2JksC&q=scissors+superstitions&pg=PA213 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*North America
**United States
***In [[New Orleans]], some believed that putting an open pair of scissors underneath your [[pillow]] at night was a sound method for sleeping well, even if one is cursed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/afr/hearn/nos.htm |title=New Orleans Superstitions |date=1886 |first1=Lafcadio |last1=Hearn |publisher=Internet Sacred Text Archive |access-date=2012-02-28 |archive-date=2012-01-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127093351/http://www.sacred-texts.com/afr/hearn/nos.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Nature===
Animals named after scissors include:
*Birds
**The [[scissor-tailed flycatcher]] of North and Central America.
**The [[scissor-tailed hummingbird]]
**The [[scissor-tailed kite]], a bird that is widespread throughout Africa.
**The [[scissor-tailed nightjar]] of [[South America]].
*Fish
**The [[Scissortail rasbora (disambiguation)|scissor-tail rasbora]], several species of fish that are commonly used for freshwater aquariums.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fish/scissortail.php |title=Scissortail – Rasbora trilineata |publisher=Aquaticcommunity |access-date=2012-02-28 |archive-date=2012-03-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318235920/http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fish/scissortail.php |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fishlore.com/profile-scissortail.htm |title=Scissor Tail Rasbora Care (Rasbora trilineata) |author1=Mike  |publisher=FishLore |access-date=2012-02-28 |archive-date=2017-04-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428022005/http://www.fishlore.com/profile-scissortail.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Scissors (Jian) with Clouds and Floral Scrolls LACMA M.2003.14.jpg|Chinese scissors, early to mid-[[Tang dynasty]]
File:Iron scissors, E Han.JPG|A pair of iron scissors dating from the [[Han dynasty]]
File:Skalm 2.JPG|[[Fiskars]] scissors from 1967
File:Borduurschaartje.jpg|[[Embroidery]] scissors in the form of a [[crane (bird)|crane]]
File:Schere Gr 99.jpg|A pair of shears
File:Teppichschere.jpg|Scissors for cutting carpet pile
File:Small Scissors.jpg|These scissors are used in Japan to cut threads in sewing.
File:Scissors Pre 1850.jpg|Scissors, pre-1850s iron from Norway, used to cut cloth
File:手工锻打螯剪.jpg|Chinese-style scissors seen in a Hangzhou museum
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Hemostat]] resembles a pair of scissors, but is used as a clamp in [[surgery]] and does not cut at all.
*[[Nipper (tool)|Nippers]] cut (break) small pieces out of [[tile]].
*[[Pliers]] used for holding and [[crimp connection|crimping]] metal or wire.
*[[Tijeras Canyon]] a geological feature in New Mexico, US and [[Tijeras, New Mexico|Tijeras]] a village in the same canyon, after "scissors" in Spanish.

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Commons category-inline|Scissors}}

{{Cutting and abrasive tools}}
{{crochet}}
{{embroidery}}
{{knitting}}
{{sewing}}
{{Kitchen tools}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Scissors| ]]
[[Category:Embroidery equipment]]
[[Category:Mechanical hand tools]]
[[Category:Sewing equipment]]