Different types of scissors - sewing, kitchen, paper

Scissors are a tool used for cutting thin material which requires little force. They are used for cutting, for example, paper, cardboard, metal foil, thin plastic, food, cloth, rope and wire. They are also used for cutting hair and nails.

Unlike a knife, scissors have two hinged blades. Most types of scissors are not particularly sharp; it is primarily the shearing between the two blades which cuts. Children's scissors are even less sharp, and are often protected with plastic.

Better than a knife for some applications, scissors can be used for cutting out a newspaper article, a picture, etc. Scissors can also be made to fit left-handed or right-handed. Using scissors designed for the wrong hand is very difficult for most people, and ambidextrous models are available.

Specialized scissors

• Pinking shears are scissors with a serrated edge.
• Tin snips are scissors for cutting through sheet metal, for example tin plate.
• Pruning shears and secateurs are scissors for cutting through branches of tree and shrubs.
• Bolt cutters cut through heavy wire and bolts
• A hemostat resembles a pair of scissors but has a locking clamp instead of a blade; it is used in surgery
• Nippers cut small pieces out of tile

Scissors is also a party game as is Rock, Paper, Scissors.