Gripping Small Nails and Screws
Beyond the kitchen, this feature is useful for DIY and household repairs. The toothed section can grip small nails, screws, or hooks, allowing you to hold them steady while you hammer or screw them into place. This is especially helpful when working in tight spaces where your fingers cannot fit.
The Bone Notch: A Poultry and Fish Essential
Another common use for this feature, particularly in scissors designed specifically for kitchen use, is the bone notch. This is a small, curved indentation, often located near the base of the blades, that is designed to catch and hold bones. The serrated teeth are sometimes part of this notch or are located adjacent to it.
Cutting Through Poultry
When preparing a whole chicken or a game bird, the bone notch allows you to position the bone securely in the notch and apply pressure. This prevents the bone from slipping and allows you to cut through the joint or the bone itself with greater control and safety. It is a common feature in high-quality poultry shears and is designed to make the daunting task of spatchcocking or jointing a chicken much easier.
Scaling and Preparing Fish
For fish, the toothed section can be used to grip the tail or the fins, which are notoriously slippery. This allows you to hold the fish steady while you scale it or fillet it. Some kitchen scissors also have a dedicated fish scaler on the outer edge of the blade, but the inner teeth can be used for gripping as well.
The Crimper: A Tool for Sealing Bags
In some multi-purpose kitchen scissors, the toothed section functions as a crimper. This is a feature designed to seal the edges of plastic bags, such as those used for freezing food or storing snacks.
How It Works
To use it, you simply fold the open edge of the plastic bag and clamp the toothed section over it. When you press the handles together, the teeth create a series of small, interlocking indentations in the plastic, effectively sealing the bag. This is a fantastic alternative to a dedicated bag sealer or a twist tie, and it helps to keep food fresh and prevent freezer burn.
Safety First: Avoiding the “Finger Trap”
The frustration expressed in the viral post is entirely valid. The toothed section is sharp, and if you are not paying attention, it is easy to catch your finger or thumb in it while closing the scissors. This is particularly common when you are using the scissors for a quick task and are not focused on the inner edge of the blades.
How to Stay Safe
To avoid injury, it is important to be mindful of the toothed section when handling the scissors. Always hold the scissors by the handles and keep your fingers clear of the blades, especially the inner edge. When using the toothed section for gripping, be deliberate and careful. Do not force the handles closed if you feel resistance, as this could indicate that your skin or another object is caught in the teeth.
