🔍 What Is That Toothed Section?
That ridged, sawtooth-like edge between the handles is intentionally designed — not just for style, but for function.
Found on most high-quality kitchen shears (especially those with a dual-handle design), this feature is made of hardened metal or reinforced plastic — built to grip, crush, and break, not cut.
And while it looks small, it’s actually four tools in one.
Let’s break down its genius.
🔧 4 Clever Uses for the Toothed Part on Kitchen Scissors
1. Jar Opener for Stubborn Lids 🍯
Ever wrestled with a stuck pickle jar?
This is your new best friend.
How to use it:
Place the toothed edge over the lid of the jar
Squeeze the handles together — the teeth grip the metal rim
Twist the scissors to break the seal
✅ Why it works: The ridges grip the lid like a mini wrench — perfect for slippery or vacuum-sealed jars.
👉 No more banging the lid or using a towel — just squeeze and twist.
2. Nut Cracker for Almonds, Walnuts & More 🥜
No nutcracker? No problem.
How to use it:
Place a walnut, almond, or pecan in the toothed groove
Gently squeeze the handles until the shell cracks
Pop out the nutmeat — no mess, no flying pieces
✅ Bonus: Great for cracking open lobster or crab shells too.
3. Garlic & Pepper Crusher 🧄🌶️
Need to crush garlic cloves or dried chilies for a paste?
How to use it:
Place a peeled garlic clove or dried pepper in the groove
Squeeze — the teeth smash it into a fine pulp
Scrape out and add to your pan
✅ Faster than a knife — and you don’t need a mortar and pestle.
4. Bottle Cap Gripper & Foil Cutter 🍷
Some shears even use the teeth to cut foil seals or grip bottle caps.
How to use it:
Use the edge to tear through foil on wine bottles or spice jars
Grip the edge of a stubborn bottle cap for extra leverage
✅ A tiny tool with big utility.
🛠️ Bonus Hacks You Didn’t Know
✅
Cut thick plastic packaging
Use the teeth to puncture first, then cut with blades
✅
Break herb stems
Crush woody stems (like rosemary) to release flavor
✅
Open stubborn clamshells
Use the teeth to pry open sealed plastic containers
✅
Emergency grip for slippery lids
Works like a rubber jar opener — but built-in
🧼 How to Keep It Clean & Safe
This tool touches food — so clean it well.
✅ Tips:
Wash by hand or in the top rack of the dishwasher
Dry thoroughly to prevent rust (especially on metal teeth)
Never force it — gentle pressure is all you need
⚠️ Avoid using on hot pans or sharp edges that could damage the teeth.
💬 Final Thoughts: The Best Tools Are the Ones You Already Own
We buy gadgets.
We clutter our drawers.
We search for the “perfect” tool.
But the truth is:
Some of the smartest kitchen tools are already in your hand.
That toothed ridge on your kitchen scissors?
It’s not an accident.
It’s engineered ingenuity — a tiny Swiss Army knife hiding in plain sight.
So next time you’re struggling with a jar, cracking nuts, or smashing garlic…
Don’t reach for five tools.
Reach for your kitchen scissors.
Because sometimes, the difference between “I need a gadget” and “I’ve got this”…
Isn’t in the drawer.
It’s in the scissors.
And once you know its secrets?
You might just wonder how you ever cooked without it.
🔍 What Is That Toothed Section?
