How to Choose the Best Scissors for Your Home, Office, or Classroom

When it comes to choosing the best scissors for your office or classroom, you may take a pause. Most people don’t consider whether there are “better” or “worse” scissors. They may not even know there are different types of scissors. But if you work in an office or a schoolroom, they’re probably a tool you use every day. In this case, you probably know that scissors come in many different varieties.

There are many variables to consider when choosing a pair of scissors.

The comfort of the grip. There are plastic-grip scissors and cushion-grip scissors, so depending on your price point and the expected frequency of your use, you could consider investing in scissors more forgiving on your hands.

The sharpness and size of the blade. Scissors aren’t all created equal, and different scissors exist for different needs. Scissors for paper crafts have special requirements for optimal performance.

The efficacy of the cut. Certain scissors, like those used for office work, need to be able to handle high-volume cutting jobs.

The purpose of the scissors. Will you be using your scissors for crafts, office work, or cooking? Different scissors are made for different things, so don’t buy a standard pair of general scissors and expect them to work well on mediums other than paper.

Who’s using the scissors? There are specially-designed scissors for those with special needs, like those who are left-handed, have carpal tunnel syndrome or suffer from arthritis. These scissors may have a specialty grip, an interior spring, or another type of accommodation for more comfortable use. Children, too, require specialty scissors, those with safety locks and other details tailored to small hands.

In short, if you are buying office or classroom supplies, the number of options may surprise you. This article will serve as an easy guide to the different types of scissors you can use and determining which may be the best for your needs.

A general overview of scissors types includes

• Pinking Shears
• Office Scissors (also called Standard Scissors, Multipurpose Scissors, All-Purpose Scissors, or Mixed Media Scissors)
• Craft Scissors
• Decorative Scissors
• Easy Grip Scissors (also called Mini Loops Scissors)
• Nonstick Scissors
• Heavy-Duty Scissors
• Detail Scissors (also called Precision Scissors)
• Fringe Scissors

As you can imagine, the uses for these scissors vary widely, and some choices may be better than others for your needs. So, how do you choose from this wide variety of cutting tools?

Pinking Shears

These scissors are common. You have probably seen them in households and offices everywhere. Large, sturdy, and traditional, they are used for many different materials and cuts. Pinking shears have blades with serrated edges that result in a subtle zigzag pattern along the cut. Despite their size, they are excellent for small or highly detailed work. In crafting, pinking shears are usually used to make clean cuts in fabric while avoiding frayed edges. They can also be used for decorative cuts like paper crafting or teacher bulletin boards. 

Office Scissors

Office scissors are also known as standard, multipurpose, all-purpose, or mixed-media scissors. They are kind of scissors you will probably find in most offices. These are some of the best all-purpose scissors, preferred by many people for general cutting. Office scissors have a straight, traditional blade. This allows for use on paper, fabric, and many other kinds of materials. They are perhaps best suited to performing regular office activities. However, they can also be a viable option for some crafts and specialty cutting jobs.

Kitchen Scissors

When it comes to kitchen scissors, you can find pairs that have all the bells and whistles, but the best ones might be the simplest. These scissors can be used for all sorts of cooking tasks, everything from slicing open food packages to cutting through meat or pasta. An important handy feature that good kitchen scissors should have is removable blades for easy cleaning.

Craft Scissors

Craft scissors  are frequently found in elementary school classrooms since they’re an appropriate choice for young children. They’re made for single or short-term use and are safe for small hands. Craft scissors have an easy, comfortable soft handle. They are also suitable for cutting a variety of materials like construction paper, fabric, and paper. Craft scissors come in a variety of sizes, from small to large. This makes it easy to customize them to your needs, whether you need jumbo scissors or child-size ones.

Decorative Scissors

Decorative scissors are the best scissors for doing detailed work. As the name implies, these are excellent paper craft scissors because they have patterned blades which make it easy to cut decorative patterns in paper. Patterns on decorative scissor blades vary from simple to detailed and often come in multipacks. You are probably unlikely to use decorative scissors in an office, but they are a great choice for doing crafts in the classroom or craft room . There are also many options for child-friendly and soft-grip scissors with decorative blades.

Easy Grip Scissors

Easy grip scissors, also known as mini loop scissors, are perfect for classroom use. Their ergonomic design makes them easy for children to use. This is especially helpful when children are learning how to cut with scissors. They are fitted with a special spring that requires gentle pressure to open and close. They also open on their own, making them operable with only the fingers and the thumb or palm. They can be used with either the right or the left hand. This eliminates the need to get special scissors for left-handed users. They are also the perfect grip scissors for children and adults with special needs, since they allow for different holds and open and close easily. Easi Grip is one well-known brand of mini loop scissors.

Nonstick Scissors/Titanium Scissors

Nonstick scissors (or titanium scissors) are great choices for classroom, home, and office work alike. These scissors have a special coating on the blades that allow you to cut sticky materials  such as tape and sticky tack. This makes them an excellent choice for crafting or shipping, since you often have to work with adhesives. If you use scissors for crafting or cutting sticky materials, investing in nonstick scissors is wise.

Heavy-Duty Scissors

Heavy-duty scissors are made to cut a variety of materials both thick and thin. They are joined by a special joint blade that helps them fit the thickness of the material you are cutting. This makes any kind of cutting smooth and easy. Heavy-duty scissors have more strength than the average scissors — even the best general-purpose scissors. This makes them a great choice for cutting materials like cardboard, cork, or even some types of thin wood or metal. If you need scissors that are suited to a large range of materials, these are some of the best multipurpose scissors you can find.

Detail Scissors

Detail scissors have very small, sharp blades. They are smaller than average, and are a great choice for detailed or precise cutting work. This includes working around corners and cutting small patterns. Although large scissors may be more useful for regular office work, there are also many uses for detail scissors. However, these might be less frequently needed than your best office scissors. If you often do delicate cutting work, it may be worth it to get a good pair of detail scissors. These will be able to achieve the precision that general-purpose scissors cannot.

Fringe Scissors/Shredding Scissors

Fringe scissors, or shredding scissors, are highly specialized. These scissors have multiple blades with standard easy scissor grip handles. They may have as many as five blades, which make it quick and easy to shred paper. In classrooms, this is a terrific way to make confetti in just a few easy steps. This makes fringe scissors some of the best craft scissors to have on hand. Even if you are not using fringe scissors for crafting, they can be useful. For one thing, they are an easy alternative to paper shredders. They make it simple to protect private information and dispose of sensitive papers or receipts. If you need to dispose of personal information on a regular basis, fringe scissors are an excellent choice.

So which are the best scissors?

When it comes to choosing the best scissors for your office, home, or classroom, there are many different things to consider. Maybe you are looking for specialty scissors to accommodate users with special needs. Or maybe you want craft scissors to make all your art projects easy. Whatever you’re looking for, having the best quality scissors – and the right type of scissors – can make all the difference in your work.

For sturdy, reliable multipurpose scissors, visit our scissor options on BlueSummitSupplies.com. To learn more about office culture and office supply must-haves, check out our blog. If you have any questions, send Larry a message!

*Prices accurate as of May 29, 2020.