Scissors

tools · cutting · invention

Two blades work together. Scissors have two sharp blades that pivot on a pin in the middle. When you squeeze the handles, the blades slide past each other and cut whatever is between them, like paper or cloth.

Cutting and shearing combined. Scissors use two kinds of cutting power at once. The sharp edges of the blades cut material, and the sliding motion shears it apart, which makes scissors work better than just one blade could.

Perfect for thin stuff. Scissors work best on thin materials like paper, cardboard, cloth, and rope. The sliding blades divide these materials cleanly without crushing them.

Many specialty scissors exist. Different scissors are made for different jobs. Fabric scissors, kitchen shears, nail clippers, and tree pruners all have special blade shapes and sizes designed for what they cut.