Scissors are probably the most often used by human beings in their day-to-day lives. These are possibly the only tools that can be found in almost every home across the world. Scissors can be described to be a tool used for cutting material with lowest possible force. One uses scissors for cutting vegetables, hair, threads, cloth, plastic, paper, lightweight foils, ropes, etc. The uses are too many to be restricted to a list.



Predecessor of scissors was a knife. While knife is a single blade tool, scissors are necessarily a two-blade instrument. Single blade tools are also called cutters. Scissors big brother is termed as 'shears'. Shears are nothing but scissors with a minimum of six-inch blades. In other words, scissors with six inch or more length blades are called shears.

Scissors work on the basic principles of physics - a double-lever system with a force on one end and fulcrum in the middle. Force is applied by the hands on the blade corners so that lever mechanism exerts pressure on the fulcrum point in the middle. The material to be cut is placed as closer to fulcrum as possible. This ensures lower amount of force generated by the hands (fingers) to result in faster and easier cutting.

Theoretically, there is no difference between left-handed and right-handed scissors. However, there's much difference in reality. It is always difficult for a left-handed person to correctly use (normally available) right-handed scissors. Right-handed scissors have that blade on the top which is used by the thumb. Vice-versa is true for the left-handed scissors. Thumb has a tendency to push 'away', while the fingers tend to push 'inward'. It is this reason that makes the two types of scissors different from each other. Practice can make a left-handed person easily use the right-handed scissors. It is also true otherwise.

Soft touch scissors are available in the market. These types of scissors make your job very easy - the force applied by your fingers is much lower than otherwise applied in a traditional pair of scissors. Spring mechanism ensures that the user need not 'open' the blades, these will open on their own. The force is needed to only close the blades towards each other while cutting. Soft rubber handles make the job all the more easier.

There are many types of scissors. Scissors meant for children are called safety scissors. Blunt edges and blades characterize safety scissors. Most important aspect is to ensure child's safety. Bandage scissors are another type used by people in medical profession. These have longer handles and shorter blades. One of the blades is usually blunt with a tab on the other. Hemostat is another type of scissors used by surgeons during operation. It has a locking clamp in place of a blade.

Fabric scissors, as the name suggests, are used for cutting clothes. Blades of such scissors are supposed to be very sharp. These are needed to be sharpened after fixed time intervals to avoid bluntness. Secateurs are a type of scissors used for cutting shrubs, etc. These are a favorite with gardeners. These are also called pruning shears. Pinking shears come with zigzag shaped blades resulting in the similar type of cut shape on the material. Then there are bolt cutters, tin snips, nippers, etc finding industrial uses.

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