Joyce Chen scissors. Worth every penny. I've got two pair, probably 30++ years old. The finest. Accept no substitutes.

https://www.amazon.com/Joyce-Chen-51-0220-Unlimited-Scissor/dp/B0000CFLH7/ref=zg_bs_289860_13?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=1NP0YDPP5H9MRH2DKHYH

Okay, deleted my first comment. I have a lot of OXO stuff, but the kitchen shears are Henckels. I have these kitchen shears and I love them. I cut all kinds of kitchen stuff with them. They will cut through the backbone of a chicken with no problem. They do not come apart, but there isn't a need. They clean easily.

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/j-a-henckels-international-robust-kitchen-shears/1011272690?keyword=kitchen-shears

ETA: I think I will buy a spare and store in case they decide to change them.

For cutting all the blasted food packaging, I buy the dollar store cheapo's, They actually work well! Saves wear and tear on my real kitchen shears used for cutting up chicken piece parts, herbs, etc., I bought a $25 pair at Michael's or Kohl's with a 50% off coupon. Have lasted for 3 years now. Buy what you can afford planning on at least 2 years good use and get them professionally sharpened if you can (my DH does that but most people don't know how - two edges each blade at different angles) and buy some cheapo's.

I have good quality, come apart for washing, poultry shears that live in the knife drawer. I do use them to break down chickens (I don't remove the sternum so not technically spatchcocking, but I do cut out the spines with them). I find them easier to use than a knife. They have a good curve, so I could use them for seafood if I actually had whole shrimp or something. I have herb shears, the kind with the long metal spring that keeps them open while in use, for picking and cutting herbs.

For non food tasks, I have a cheap pair of orange handled desk scissors that live on the counter. I wash them regularly, but they never have icky goo and don't need to pull apart. They do open packaging, cut string, etc., and are used far more than than anything else (hence staying on the counter).

I think the choice is a very personal thing, and suggest you start with what you want to use them for and work your way backwards to which ones you should get.

I have Kitchenaid scissors that I like very much, and they come with a plastic sheath to protect them, which I use. I also use them to remove the backbones of chickens.

Lots of good tips. I try to keep a pair of regular shears nearby. Come to think about it, I have, someplace another pair of kitchen shears which I hate because they keep getting locked. Those J Chen shears look ice, but uncomfortable. hard metal? But probably good for snipping herbs.

Good suggestions and also, along Plllo’s line of reasoning, may use what I’ve got or can find inexpensive ly, then take note of what I’d want good ones for.

Now, I’m very hungry!

No, the Chen handles are very flexible, and easy on your hands.The metal is coated, not hard at all. And sharp after all these years.

I have a couple of pairs of kids' school scissors I've had for years in my kitchen and if I catch DH even looking at them he's in the doghouse. I wash them quite often in the dishwasher, especially if I've cut open bacon or lunchmeat packages. But I do have a pair of Kitchenaid shears for cutting up chicken etc. and I really like them. However they do not come apart for cleaning so I have to be quite scrupulous in cleaning them.

I wouldn’t consider shears that don’t come apart. I have Wüsthof.

Have had mine a long time...also Wüsthof.

sushipup1

No, the Chen handles are very flexible,----

Also good for lefties (or righties)

dcarch.

I have pull apart shears that I sold [cutco] back in the 80s .... spendy, but I really like them. self sharpening as well ...

When the tip of my kitchen shears broke off a few years ago (don't know what happened), I grabbed a pair of Fiskars I had in my desk, washed them really well, and used them for the task at hand. I liked them so well, decided to give them a try for a few days. Well, that was several years ago now, and I have been very pleased with their performance. Put them in the dishwasher with the blades open all the time. No plans to purchased regular kitchen scissors.

I don't think the perfect pair exists. They all seem to have an annoyance, do- this-but-don't-do-that-very-well scenario.

If a favorite pair is 20+ years old, they may not be made well anymore. As most of the reviews say, "I needed to replace my favorite scissors but not the same at all. Cheaply made".

I went through this a few years ago when a 20+ favorite got a crack in the handle. Another pair that came apart for cleaning would come apart during use if opened just a bit too far. And another has a half moon notch but doesn't cut in that area so only the 2 or so inches at the tip will cut a package.

The biggest problem I see is the cutting blades are not fully integrated into the plastic handles. Just inset.

You would think fiskars would make a good pair but bad reviews about handles breaking.

I have an insane quantity of scissors. Barn, garden shed, at every desk, laundry room, bedroom drawer, a dozen in my studio...and these in the kitchen...

The all stainless Cabella pair are pretty excellent but the short cutting length. The expensive poultry shears I never liked as the spring was so tight. When cutting they would often spring back with such force chicken bits and juice would fling everywhere. And only one use. Now the spring is broken.

This might be my choice if buying today...

I have 2 pair...one Chicago Cutlery come-apart ones for snipping herbs cutting slices of bacon even cutting up cooked chicken....and I have a hair of heavy duty poultry shears for...well poultry!
I have had both for easily 25 years...
I did have 2 pair of the Chicago Cutlery ones but I used both at a seafood fest and one pair got tossed out with the crab and lobster shells.

I have a pair of Wusthof that replaced my Furi pair that I completely ruined cutting a thick wool carpet pad. I think I could get the Furi pair sharpened, but there's no one near me to do it. I guess I should check into a mail-in sharpening service.

I have a pair of Zyliss come apart scissors. Couldn't tell you the last time I used them. For daily use I have two pair of Fiskars.

I had an old pair of separating Chicago Cutlery scissors which somehow disappeared. I found a new pair on Amazon which I ordered, but although they looked exactly like my old ones but they were non separating. Happened into my nearby Corningware outlet where they had the separating ones for sale. I bought 5 pair which now reside in almost every room. I never use them for cutting apart poultry..

Looks up Kershaw Taskmaster kitchen shears. They aren't available in Canada anymore but I think you can still get them in the States. Shun is their sister brand and they also make a version but for a bit more money. Mercer Culinary has a knock-off but they are made in China. I really like the Taskmasters...they are sharp, sturdy and come apart for easy cleaning. I also have the Shun kitchen shears of a different design (and much more expensive) which I never use because the bottom handle is too large for my hands.

More excellent suggestions.

I found only 1/2 of a cheap take apart pair.

Sleevendog, thanks for showing your collection and reviewing what was good, not so good. And, for sure, there isn’t a single knife that will work well for every task.

Donna-in-Sask, that Kershaw Taskmaster looks very handy. I have a little Kershaw small folding knife with rosewood handles I keep in my purse — handy and beautiful art.

Here is a video of your knife, Kershaw Taskmaster. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lU_Zg9RIKlo

Maybe I can locate a pair, if affordable.

I spotted the one below for cheap. Looks like made in China, but Japan would be a plus:

Cheap

Sort of like this design.

These are cool looking, the look appeals to me, but too $ and functionally ?

Below, Fury shears.

Forgot what the ones below are.

Oh, logo is ID. These look nice.

I have a few cheap pairs, plus Fiskars for twine, packages, etc.

I think I will focus on the “best” utilitarian, poultry and function, “cheapest” (best good price for good product) shears. I want to avoid the type with the tapered coil spring.

Someone is selling a promising looking pair, but they’re a hour away. Inexpensive. Maybe I’ll take a chance, ask if seller will pay pal and mail them to me. What could go wrong? Seriously, I’ve done something like that before, the trust-good faith retail method. It worked out. Just gotta be sure to give seller shipping & bother cost.

I’m off to look for a pair of Kershaws in the meanwhile. I like to buy stuff that lasts. Sleevendog or someone commented on how it’s much better to have the steel of the handle go way into the plastic handle cover. So true. Thanks again, everyone, so many nice looking shears.

The one you posted thinking a bit pricy I already posted above. Horrid. The spring broke, thank goodness. It is one use, for chicken, and the spring was so tight it would spring back open and toss chicken juice all over. We would take it out side on the deck table.

Multi-purpose is the way to go. Unless you cut up chickens ALL the time.

We have had that pair 20+ years and used a dozen (maybe) times. Did not even know the spring broke until this thread posting.

After reading all the comments and suggestions, this is STILL the only one I will have. It cuts everything, cleans easily, goes in the dishwasher, and is not overpriced.

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/j-a-henckels-international-robust-kitchen-shears/1011272690?keyword=kitchen-shears

Oh, yes. I Forgot those, tiger eye. Good price and I think they will work. The ones that broke were a bit like these (broke bc they fell onto a hard surface in a cold kitchen, but I had them ~ 24 years.

OMG, sleevendog, I meant to comment on the spring loaded raw chicken bits getting flung around. At least only raw chicken particles, not covid-19 virus particles. Still — super disgusting. .... WAIT, sleevendog, do you mean those $99 global shears? I don’t see any springs, nor any of the ones in your photos. I am only half with it though — I might have pre pre pre Covid-19 exhaustion.

The spring ones that look awful to me (rust, dog hair, food particles stuck in them) ate the ss tapered coiled croissant-looking spring jobs. Some of the comments photos of Amazon are enlightening. Yuk.

I think those look promising, Jasdip. I like that they come with a scabbard.

Prior to the pandemic hitting, I was in an Ocean State Job Lots looking for something else, when I spotted an inexpensive pair of poultry shears —$4. They even have the bone notch as John suggested. The lock seems solid, stays put, not intrusive. We don’t cut a lot of poultry with shears (I usually use a boning knife), but, yes, for some sections, poultry shears are very useful.

I hope everyone is staying safe and that you’re able to enjoy cooking and experimenting. One of my Stay Home goals is to learn how to grow micro greens and sprouts. If I could mind meld with Sleevendog and others here, that would be very beneficial. I’ve sprouted mung beans before with mixed results. I cannot locate clean, fresh mung bean sprouts here, and those micro greens have my eye.

$4, made in China. Seem solid enough. Pre- SARS-CoV-2

I’ll use non fabric straight scissors for twine or paper dolls.

PS Another good buy at OSJL was hanging at the checkout line. An 8” chef’s knife, very sharp, good feel, for, get ready, $10. Chicago Cutlery.

When I started spatchcocking a couple of years ago, I got Oxo Good Grips poultry shears & have been happy with them. They come apart for cleaning. For general kitchen use like cutting string & plastic, we use some generic orange handled scissors that my husband bought a bunch of on close-out years ago.

Jasdip, good luck with the new buy! If they don't do it for those bones, they still look like good kitchen shears, and if you end up getting the expensive ones, you can use the Farber for most things to save the special ones. (I am not fixing that sentence!)

I was at the Surplus store today looking for my little Nessie ladle (another thread). Plenty of ladles, but not the cute little loch ness.

I decided to see if they had any Fiskar pruners for poultry shears. They had a number of pruning shears, do you think any of these would work? Or should I look for a longer blade.

I tend to like the curved blade in the single photo and the one on the left the best. All under $10.

We have a pair of Cutco super shears that came with the set we bought about 20 years ago. Still going strong and have never been sharpened.

The disadvantage of the pruning shears is that you can't take them apart for cleaning. I'm sure you can find a way to disinfect them, though.

The handles on the left of the four will kill your hands if you have to cut through something really hard.

The offset of the one in the single photo might be a little difficult to work with. Maybe put your cutting board up on a sheet pan or something, but otherwise it looks good for the actual job. Of the ones you've shown, it's the one I'd choose.

The shape looks best on the ones labeled bypass pruners. Poultry shears usually have curved blades and I think that helps keep the bone in place rather than rolling out. Those also have handles that look good.

The issue is what Plllog pointed out. The garden shears aren't built for easy cleaning. They have a fair amount of bumps and crevices including the springs. I'd be hesitant to use them for food, especially for meat.

Ok, I can wait until there's a sale at my restaurant supply store on actual poultry shears. They sell Wusthoff shears.

Those by-pass shears really intrigue me, I might get them anyway and try them. Dunk them in diluted bleach when I use them on meats, that kind of thing. And loos for the sale to come, as well. :-)

Like everyone, I’ve had various different poultry shears and also used plain old desk scissors. I had a really nice set (Henkels) for a couple decades, then have had various cheaper ones. I think the following seems important:

- A blade with a divot near the pivot, so you can grab a bone without it slipping away

- Fairly substantial blade, that will crunch through bones

- All stainless and plastic, preferably no fussy springs

- Take apart, more to make it easy to sharpen than for cleaning (my opinion)

- Handles that you can grip and exert force on even if your fingers are covered with oil/fat

I don’t think you really need to pay more than $20.

Thanks John!

I just checked and the s.t.o.p. restaurant supply store has Wusthoff. $50. It doesn't even mention cutting poultry, just twine, herbs, clippings etc. My regular kitchen scissors do that.

They don't look like they would work at all for poultry, imo.

https://www.shopatstop.com/collections/kitchen/products/red-take-apart-kitchen-shears

This just came up in an email from Serious Eats.

The Best Poultry shears

We have had the forged red handle Henckels for as long as I can remember. They go for about $60 now. They work fine and have never been sharpened.

Ohhh, Amazon Canada has the Oxo ones for $35 and also Fiskars for $27!

https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=poultry+shears+oxo&ref=nb_sb_noss

They've gone up. I paid $9.99 last, but I still love these. Cut anything and we use them daily.

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/j-a-henckels-international-robust-kitchen-shears/1011272690?keyword=kitchen-shears