What Is That Weird Toothed Part on Kitchen Scissors For? (Spoiler: It’s a Secret Multi-Tool!)
If you own a pair of kitchen scissors—or kitchen shears, as professionals call them—you’ve probably noticed the strange, jagged, curved section between the handles. It looks like a set of tiny teeth carved into the metal, almost like a built-in bottle opener or nutcracker. Most people glance at it, assume it must be decorative or part of the design, and never think twice about it. Some don’t even know it exists until years after using the scissors daily.
Well, here’s the truth:
That weird toothed part is not decorative at all. It is one of the most useful, underappreciated, multifunctional tools in your entire kitchen.
And most people have never once used it.
Today, you’re not only going to learn exactly what that mysterious feature does—you’re going to learn the full history behind it, how chefs use it, and how it can make your cooking easier. And because you requested a recipe, this article also includes a full cooking recipe at the end that uses kitchen shears (and even the toothed grip!) so you can put this tool to work immediately.
Let’s unravel the mystery.
The Anatomy of Kitchen Shears
Before we explain the toothed section, it helps to understand the basic build of kitchen shears. Most high-quality versions have:
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Two heavy-duty blades (often serrated on one side)
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Thick, comfortable handles
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A hinge or screw joining the blades
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A set of fine “teeth” or grooves between the handles
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Sometimes a bottle opener or jar opener cutout
These features transform scissors from a simple cutting tool into a multi-purpose kitchen powerhouse.
But the most misunderstood part remains those notched teeth hidden inside the handle area.
What the Toothed Section Is Actually For
Let’s break down the main functions.
Spoiler: It has a lot more uses than you’d expect.
1. Jar and Bottle Grip
This is the primary function most manufacturers intended.
The toothed area acts like a non-slip wrench for:
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Tight jar lids
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Screw-top bottles
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Soda or water caps
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Vinegar or soy sauce bottles
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Metal lids on jam or salsa jars
Instead of using brute force and nearly spraining your wrist, you place the lid between the two toothed curves, squeeze the handles, and twist. The teeth grip the ridges on the lid and multiply your hand strength.
Suddenly, that stubborn pasta sauce jar becomes easy to open.
2. Nut Cracker
Those little teeth also work like a nutcracker:
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Walnuts
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Pecans
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Almonds in shell
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Hazelnuts
The curved shape keeps the nut from slipping while the metal applies distributed pressure. This keeps the shell from exploding into a thousand sharp pieces.
3. Lobster and Crab Shell Grip
Seafood lovers, rejoice.
The toothed grip helps you:
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Hold lobster legs
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Crack crab claws
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Break into crawfish
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Remove spiny shells from seafood
It holds slippery shells firmly so you can crack them without needing a separate shell cracker. This is especially helpful with cold or steamed seafood where hands slip easily.
4. Bottle Opener (Secondary Function)
Many versions integrate the teeth with a built-in hook that acts as a bottle opener for:
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Glass soda bottles
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Beer bottles
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Old-style beverage caps
It’s not the primary function, but it’s incredibly convenient.
5. Herb Stripper
On some models, the teeth are spaced specifically for stripping herbs.
You can pull:
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Rosemary
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Thyme
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Tarragon
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Oregano
through the toothed section and the leaves come off cleanly. This saves several minutes of hand-stripping tiny stems.
6. Crushing Garlic or Ginger
Chefs sometimes use the toothed grip to gently crack:
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Garlic cloves
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Ginger chunks
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Small shallots
It works like a mini press, loosening the skin for easy peeling.
Why This Feature Is Often Ignored
Believe it or not, many people own high-end scissors for years and never realize:
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This section serves a function
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It works incredibly well
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It’s safer than using bare hands
Why?
1. No One Tells You
Most packaging doesn’t explain it.
Most people assume scissors are scissors.
2. The Teeth Are Hidden
You only notice them if you open the handles wide.
3. Past Trauma With Tough Jars
People assume a jar grip won’t work because they’ve fought jars for years. Then they try it and realize it works like magic.
4. Many Think It’s Just “Structural”
Some believe it’s a reinforcement for the handle. Nope. It’s a multi-tool.
A Brief History: Why This Feature Exists at All
Kitchen shears were originally designed as military mess hall tools—something that could:
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Cut meat
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Crack small bones
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Open rations
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Remove caps
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Grip slippery metal tins
The toothed grip was part of the original multi-purpose design. When they moved into professional kitchens, chefs kept the design because it was genuinely useful.
Manufacturers maintained it because:
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It costs almost nothing to add
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It adds enormous versatility
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Chefs in every cuisine rely on it
Yet home cooks often overlook the feature, despite its effectiveness.
Seven Everyday Ways You Can Use the Toothed Grip Right Now
Once you understand its power, you’ll start spotting opportunities everywhere.
1. Opening a tight pickle or kimchi jar
No more banging on the counter.
2. Cracking pistachios with tight shells
No more broken fingernails.
3. Removing bottle caps at a party
Your scissors become the MVP.
4. Holding slippery chicken wings or drumettes
It gives extra grip while trimming.
5. Gripping corn cobs for cutting
Especially when removing kernels.
6. Twisting off stubborn soda bottle caps
Works even when your hands are wet or greasy.
7. Stabilizing a small bone while cutting
Safer than fingers near a blade.
And now that you understand what this part of your shears can do, let’s use kitchen scissors—including that toothed grip—in a full cooking recipe.
A Full Recipe: Herb-Butter Spatchcock Chicken Using Only Kitchen Shears
This recipe showcases the magic of kitchen shears, including the mysterious toothed area.
You’ll use them to:
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Cut out the chicken backbone
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Trim excess fat
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Strip herbs
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Grip slippery skin
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Crack small bones
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Open jars and bottles for the marinade
It’s the perfect “kitchen scissor recipe,” and the results are restaurant-level.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
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1 whole chicken (3.5–5 lbs)
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2 tsp kosher salt
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1 tsp black pepper
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1 tbsp olive oil
For the Herb Butter
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6 tbsp softened butter
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tbsp lemon zest
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2 tbsp lemon juice
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2 tbsp fresh rosemary, stripped using the toothed grip
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1 tbsp thyme
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1 tbsp parsley
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½ tsp smoked paprika
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Pinch of chili flakes (optional)
For Roasting
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1 lemon, sliced
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1 onion, quartered
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4–5 rosemary sprigs
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Place the whole chicken breast-side down.
Using your kitchen shears:
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Cut along one side of the backbone
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Cut along the other side
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Remove the backbone completely
This is extremely easy with shears, nearly impossible with a knife for beginners.
Use of the toothed grip here:
Grip small bones or fatty sections that slip when pulling.
Press the chicken flat using the heel of your hand.
Step 2: Strip the Herbs
Use the toothed section to strip stems:
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Insert rosemary or thyme into the smallest groove.
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Pull through.
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Leaves will fall into your bowl.
Chop lightly with the scissor blades.
Step 3: Make the Herb Butter
Mix:
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Butter
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Garlic
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Lemon zest
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Lemon juice
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Rosemary
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Thyme
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Parsley
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Paprika
Use scissors to cut herbs directly into the bowl.
Step 4: Apply the Herb Butter
Gently separate the chicken skin from the meat.
Slide the butter under the skin and spread evenly.
Rub remaining butter on the outside.
Step 5: Use the Toothed Grip for Finishing Tasks
Use it to:
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Open the lemon juice bottle
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Grip a slippery lemon while slicing
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Hold the chicken steady as you maneuver it
This part of the shears truly shines here.
Step 6: Roast
Place lemon slices, onion, and rosemary on a baking tray.
Lay chicken on top, breast side up.
Roast at 425°F (220°C) for 45–55 minutes, until:
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Skin is golden
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Juices run clear
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Internal temperature hits 165°F (74°C)
Step 7: Rest and Carve
Let rest 10 minutes.
Use kitchen shears to cut the whole bird into:
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Thighs
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Legs
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Wings
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Breast halves
Scissors make this shockingly simple.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with:
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Roasted potatoes
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A simple salad
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Herb rice
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Garlic bread
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Grilled vegetables
Use the toothed grip to crack fresh peppercorns or nuts to sprinkle on top.
Why This Recipe Demonstrates the Power of Kitchen Shears
A single pair of shears accomplished:
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Butchery
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Herb prep
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Jar opening
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Bottle opening
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Small bone cracking
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Cutting hot cooked chicken
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Enhancing safety and control
The toothed part alone contributed to:
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Opening lemon juice bottle
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Gripping slippery skin
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Stripping herbs efficiently
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Stabilizing food
Suddenly it becomes obvious:
Kitchen shears might be the most underrated tool in your kitchen—and that weird toothed part might be the most underrated feature on them.
Final Thoughts: A Hidden Tool Hiding in Plain Sight
Most people use their kitchen scissors only for:
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Cutting open packaging
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Snipping herbs
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Opening bags
But they are so much more than that.
And that odd, jagged, toothed section between the handles?
It’s a built-in:
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Jar opener
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Bottle opener
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Shell cracker
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Nutcracker
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Herb stripper
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Gripper
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Safety stabilizer
You can use it multiple times a day once you know what it does.
That little feature turns your scissors into a secret kitchen multi-tool—a compact, powerful helper that makes cooking smoother and faster.
Using the recipe above will help you see just how capable your kitchen scissors really are, and once you start using that toothed grip, you’ll wonder how you ever cooked without it.
If you want, I can also write:
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A shorter 500-word version
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A version with pictures or diagrams
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A version focused on jar-opening hacks
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A recipe specifically for seafood (to use the shell-cracking featur
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