What Is That Weird Toothed Part on Kitchen Scissors For?

Mystery Solved: It’s Not Just for Decoration

If you’ve ever taken a close look at your kitchen scissors—especially the heavy-duty kind—you might have noticed a strange jagged, toothed section near the handles. It’s not quite part of the blades, and it doesn’t seem to cut anything. So… what’s the point?

You can easily snip herbs, trim chicken, or open packaging with the sharp blades, but that metal “jaw” near the base? It just sits there—looking important, but staying mysterious.

Well, good news: That odd little feature actually has a purpose, and it’s more useful than most people realize.

🔧 The Real Purpose of the Toothed Jaws

Contrary to popular belief, that notched section isn’t meant for cutting—it’s designed for crushing, gripping, and stabilizing ingredients while you work.

Think of it as a built-in multitool that acts like a mini clamp, nutcracker, or garlic press—all in one.

Here’s what it’s good for:

🧄 Crushing Garlic Cloves

Forget the flat side of a knife. Place a garlic clove under the toothed grip and press gently. It crushes just enough to loosen the skin and release flavor—without turning it into mush.

🥜 Cracking Nuts or Shells

From walnuts to lobster claws, the toothed area works like a small nutcracker or shell-cracker. No need for separate tools.

🍗 Gripping Chicken Bones

When deboning or trimming poultry, the jagged grip helps hold slippery bones steady, so you can snip cleanly and safely.

🍊 Holding Thick Skins or Slippery Items

Trying to peel citrus or slice into tough-skinned veggies like squash or beets? That notch gives you a firm grip, reducing slips and accidents.

✂️ Why It Doesn’t “Cut” Like the Blades

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