What Is That Toothed Part on Your Kitchen Scissors For?

If you’ve ever taken a close look at your kitchen scissors, you may have noticed a jagged, ridged section tucked between the handles—those small interlocking teeth positioned right behind where your fingers rest. Many home cooks overlook it entirely, assuming it’s decorative or simply part of the scissor’s overall design. But that humble little feature is far more functional than it appears. It’s one of the most useful yet underappreciated elements of a kitchen tool most of us rely on every day.

What Exactly Is That Toothed Section?

Located where the handles begin to taper inward, this rugged-looking feature may be made of metal or reinforced plastic, depending on the brand. When the scissors close, the ridges interlock, creating a powerful gripping surface. Manufacturers refer to this section by a variety of names—“jar opener,” “nutcracker,” or even “bone cracker”—but whatever the label, the purpose is the same: it provides traction and stability in situations where your hands alone may fall short.

A Better Way to Open Stubborn Jars

Few kitchen struggles are as universal as wrestling with a tight jar lid. That’s where the toothed section quietly becomes a hero.

• Close the scissors until the grooves just meet.

• Position the jar lid securely between the teeth.

• Hold the scissors in one hand, twist the jar with the other.

The ridges grip the metal firmly, distributing pressure evenly and reducing the strain on your wrist. The same method works beautifully for smaller bottle caps—ideal for soft drinks, sauces, or for anyone with limited grip strength.

A Built-In Nutcracker for Quick Cracking

If you’ve misplaced your nutcracker—or never owned one—the scissors’ ridged section fills in effortlessly.

• Nestle the nut in the toothed area.

• Apply slow, steady pressure until the shell fractures.

• Rotate the nut and continue gently until the shell breaks away cleanly.

The key is patience: you’re aiming to break the shell, not pulverize the nut inside.

Helping With Poultry and Small Bones

In heavier kitchen or poultry shears, the toothed gripper has an additional purpose: assisting with breaking down small bones.

• Place the bone between the ridges.

• Apply controlled pressure until it snaps.

However, this technique should never be attempted with thin or inexpensive household scissors, which could bend, snap, or lead to injury.

Extra Jobs You Didn’t Know It Could Handle

The versatility of the toothed section extends well beyond jars and nuts. Many cooks use it to:

• Grip slick or stubborn plastic bottle caps

• Crack crab legs or lobster shells

• Twist soft corks from bottles

• Hold tight to twist-ties or plastic seals

Essentially, whenever your fingers slip or struggle, that built-in gripper is designed to take over.

Why This Feature Exists

The addition of a gripping section allows one pair of kitchen scissors to replace multiple small tools. Rather than storing a separate nutcracker, jar opener, and poultry bone breaker, many households get by with a single, multipurpose pair of shears. It’s a practical solution, especially in compact kitchens, dorms, or apartments where storage is limited.

You’ll most commonly find the built-in gripper in:

• Heavy-duty kitchen shears

• Poultry or bone-cutting scissors

• Multipurpose utility scissors

A quick glance between the handles will reveal the ridged section—your hidden tool in plain sight.

Safety Considerations

• Never force the teeth on thick bones or tough shells beyond what the scissors are designed to handle.

• Keep your fingers clear of the interlocking grooves while twisting or pressing.

• Clean the area thoroughly after handling meat, seafood, or sticky foods.

• Resist the urge to use the scissors as pliers for non-food tasks.

A Small Feature With Surprising Power

What looks like an odd little design quirk is actually a thoughtfully engineered multi-tool built directly into your scissors. It can twist open jars, crack nuts, grip slippery caps, and even help with food prep tasks that require extra strength.

The next time you reach for your kitchen scissors, remember: they’re capable of far more than cutting. Hidden between the handles is a tiny powerhouse designed to make everyday kitchen work faster, easier, and far more efficient.