What Are Those Metal Teeth Between Kitchen Scissors? Their Real Purpose Explained
There are actually two different types of “teeth” you might find on kitchen scissors.
Teeth on the cutting blade
Some scissors have tiny serrations directly along one cutting edge.
Those teeth help grip slippery materials while cutting.
They’re part of the blade itself.
Teeth near the handle or pivot
The teeth shown in the image are different.
They form an opposing gripping surface away from the main cutting edge.
These are generally intended to grip, crack, or provide leverage, depending on the model.
That’s why they look so different from ordinary blade serrations.
Could They Be Used as a Jar Opener?
Sometimes.
Some multifunction kitchen scissors have a section specifically shaped to grip lids or caps.
The serrations can provide traction against a slippery surface.
But you shouldn’t assume that the particular scissors shown in the image are designed to open large jars.
A large jar lid can require considerably more force than these scissors are designed to handle.
If the manufacturer doesn’t specify jar-opening capability, use a proper jar opener instead.
What About Shellfish?
This is another possible use for heavy-duty kitchen shears.
The teeth can help grip curved or slippery shells while you’re working with seafood.
That extra grip can make it easier to control the food.
However, shellfish shells can be surprisingly hard, so the scissors need to be designed for the job.
Don’t force lightweight scissors against thick shells.
How to Clean the Teeth
There’s another reason to pay attention to this part of kitchen scissors: food can become trapped between the teeth.
After using the scissors with food, wash the toothed section thoroughly.
Pay particular attention if you used the scissors on:
Raw chicken
Raw meat
Seafood
Sticky foods
Cheese
Sauces
Food particles can remain hidden inside the small grooves.
Wash according to the manufacturer’s instructions, rinse thoroughly and dry the scissors completely.
If the scissors are not dishwasher-safe, don’t automatically put them in the dishwasher just because they look like ordinary stainless steel. Handles, coatings, pivots and other components may not tolerate repeated dishwasher cycles.
What If the Teeth Are Damaged?
If one of the metal teeth is bent, loose or cracked, don’t continue using that function.
A damaged gripping mechanism can cause an object to slip unexpectedly.
Likewise, if the pivot is loose or the blades no longer align properly, the scissors may become harder to control.
For an inexpensive pair, replacement may be safer than trying to repair them.
The Big Mystery Is Finally Solved
So, those strange metal teeth aren’t there just to make your kitchen scissors look complicated.
They’re usually a built-in gripping or cracking mechanism.
Depending on the design, they can help with nuts, caps, shells, slippery food and other small kitchen tasks. Some specialized scissors have additional functions involving poultry bones or jar lids.
But the exact function depends on the model.
And there’s an important lesson from the picture:
Don’t put your fingers between those teeth.
They’re designed to grip hard objects—not human fingers.
If you’ve been using your kitchen scissors for years without knowing what that section was for, you’re certainly not alone. Manufacturers often hide several useful functions inside a single pair of kitchen shears.
The next time you see those little metal teeth, think of them as a small built-in pair of gripping jaws, not another cutting blade.
And if your scissors have already bitten your fingers twice, perhaps the most useful discovery is simply knowing to leave that particular part alone unless you’re deliberately using it for a suitable kitchen task.
