What Is That Weird Toothed Part on Kitchen Scissors For? (Spoiler: It’s a Secret Multi-Tool!)

🔍 Meet the Hidden Hero: The Built-In Gripping Tool

That rugged, toothed section between the handles is intentional engineering, not an accident.

Depending on the brand, it might be called:

A jar opener

A nut cracker

A bottle grip

Or even a bone gripper

And while it won’t replace a dedicated can opener, it’s shockingly useful in a pinch.

Here’s how it works:

When you close the scissors halfway, those interlocking metal teeth lock together, creating a powerful gripping surface with serious bite.

It’s essentially a mini vise built into your shears—activated by hand strength and leverage.

Now, let’s put it to work.

🛠️ 5 Clever Ways to Use That Mysterious Toothed Notch

1. 🫙 Open Stubborn Jar Lids (No More Hand Strain!)

Stuck pickle jar? Sealed spice lid? No problem.

✅ How to use:

Place the toothed notch over the edge of the lid.

Squeeze the handles together firmly.

Twist the scissors—the grip gives you extra torque to break the seal.

💡 Works especially well on small jars or vacuum-sealed tops.

2. 🥜 Crack Nuts Without a Nutcracker

No nutcracker? No problem.

✅ How to use:

Position a walnut, pecan, or almond in the teeth.

Gently squeeze until the shell cracks.

Pop out the meat—no messy fingers or missing tools.

Perfect for holiday baking emergencies.

3. 🍗 Grip Slippery Bones When Cutting

Ever tried cutting through poultry or ribs, only for the bone to slip away mid-cut?

✅ How to use:

Use the toothed notch to grip the bone firmly.

Hold it steady while you slice with the blades.

Keeps things safe and precise.

Think of it as a built-in second hand for messy jobs.

4. 🧃 Break Plastic Seals & Shrink Bands

Those annoying plastic rings around bottle caps? The sealed wrap on yogurt lids?

✅ How to use:

Slide the toothed edge under the seal.

Squeeze and pull—snaps right off.

No more digging with your nails or hunting for scissors.

5. 🐟 Scale Small Fish (In a Pinch)

If you’re cleaning trout or panfish and don’t have a scaler…

✅ How to use:

Run the toothed edge along the fish’s skin in short strokes.

It may not be perfect—but it’ll get the job done when you’re outdoors or unprepared.

Camping hack unlocked. 🏕️

✅ Why This Design Is Genius

Kitchen scissors with this feature are designed for maximum utility in tight spaces—think home kitchens, camping kits, or crowded drawers.

Instead of needing:

A jar opener

A nutcracker

A bottle grip

A bone holder

…you just need one tool that does a little bit of everything.

It’s smart, space-saving, and quietly brilliant.

💡 Pro Tips for Best Results

🔪 Use kitchen shears with metal teeth —plastic ones won’t grip as well.

🧼 Clean the teeth regularly —food bits love to hide in there.

🧊 Don’t use on very large jars or thick metal lids —you could damage the scissors.

🧍 Use leverage: brace the scissors against your body or counter for extra force.

❤️ Final Thought: The Best Tools Are the Ones We Overlook

We chase fancy gadgets—air fryers, spiralizers, avocado slicers—when sometimes, the most helpful tools are already in our hands.

That toothed notch isn’t weird.

It’s thoughtful design hiding in plain sight.

So next time you reach for your kitchen scissors, give that little grip a second look.

Because in the right moment, it might just save your dinner, your fingers, or your pride.