In the world of cooking, poultry shears are an indispensable tool that can be leveraged by both professional chefs and home cooks. The versatility of these kitchen essentials extends beyond just trimming chicken and turkey – they can also be used to tackle a wide range of cutting tasks around the house.
With their heavy-duty design and precision engineering, a quality pair of poultry shears can effortlessly slice through meat, cut through bone, and even tackle thick skin, making them an ideal choice for preparing everything from steak and pork to fish and seafood. But that’s not all – these powerful scissors are also capable of handling everyday tasks outside the kitchen, such as cutting cardboard, plastic, or trimming flowers in your garden.
As a result, investing in a pair of poultry shears is a great way to equip yourself with a reliable and versatile tool that can serve you well in both culinary and non-culinary pursuits.
The 10 Best Poultry Shears
When it comes to finding the perfect kitchen shears, there are many options available on the market. Some popular brands include Gerio, OXO Good Grips, Wellstar, Spring Chef, Fiskars, KitchenAid, Shun Premium, Benir, Victorinox R.H. Forschner, and Wusthof WU5558. Of these options, our top pick is the Shun Premium Kitchen Shears, which offers a unique combination of quality, durability, and performance.
Our Top Pick for the Best Poultry Shears
For our top recommendation in poultry shears, we highly endorse the Shun Premium Kitchen Shears. This exceptional tool is suitable for both professional chefs and home cooking enthusiasts alike, making it an investment worth considering. The sleek design of these premium shears is not only visually appealing but also built to withstand rigorous use, ensuring they remain a reliable companion in your kitchen for years to come, effortlessly handling poultry and seafood preparation tasks with ease.
If you’re interested in learning more or purchasing the Shun Premium Kitchen Shears, we invite you to check out current prices on Amazon.
How to Choose the Best Poultry Shears
Curved Blade Versus Straight Blade Poultry Shears
When it comes to poultry shears, there are two distinct types: those with long curved blades and kitchen shears featuring straight blades that may be shorter in length. The former is designed for effortless cutting and snipping through whole chickens, boasting a firm edge even when dealing with slippery meat. Conversely, the latter – characterized by pointed, straight blades – excels at piercing thick meat or poultry skin, making it ideal for tasks such as spatchcocking.
Design
The poultry shears stand out from ordinary kitchen scissors due to their unique design, which provides exceptional cutting power thanks to a pivot point that enables effortless slicing through thick meat and bones. The oversized handles, shaped for optimal grip, ensure comfortable handling during use.
One of the most striking features of these specialized shears is their ‘pull-apart’ mechanism.
By unscrewing the tightening mechanism, the blades separate, transforming the shears into two distinct knives that can be used for tasks like chopping vegetables or trimming herbs. This design innovation not only facilitates cleaning by preventing bacterial growth between the blades but also allows for blade resharpening to maintain their razor-sharp edge. After use, simply reattach and tighten the blades before storing them safely in your kitchen drawer.
Material
When it comes to selecting the ideal materials for your cutting tools, stainless steel and high carbon steel are top contenders. Their exceptional strength and durability make them well-suited for various tasks. Specifically, high carbon steel blades, such as those found in the Wusthof WU5558 Kitchen Shears, boast an added level of hardness that renders them particularly effective for demanding applications like poultry cutting and de-boning.
Meanwhile, stainless steel’s natural rust resistance and immunity to corrosion make it a reliable choice. However, it’s essential to note that even stainless steel can succumb to rust if not properly cared for; this occurs when blades are left submerged in hot water or exposed to harsh detergents during the dishwasher cycle. To maintain the integrity of your cutting tools, it’s recommended to hand wash and thoroughly dry them to prevent any potential damage.
Blade Safety Features
When utilizing any type of cutting tool, including cleavers and butcher knives, it’s crucial to incorporate extra safety features that enable you to work efficiently. Certain poultry shears may boast some of these safety features, such as a locking mechanism designed to keep the blades securely closed when not in use. Additionally, some models may come equipped with a tightening mechanism, like a bolt, which helps maintain optimal blade alignment throughout the cutting process.
Furthermore, a bone notch on one blade can facilitate effective gripping and handling of poultry bones.
Ergonomic Handles
When it comes to designing handles for kitchen tools, comfort is key. Ergonomic surfaces that fit nicely in your palm can make all the difference in reducing hand fatigue during extended use. Certain products take this principle to heart, incorporating features like spring-assisted handles and bolstered loops to enhance grip security.
For instance, the OXO Good Grips Spring-Loaded Poultry Shears stand out for their thoughtful design, which facilitates even the most demanding cutting tasks without putting undue strain on your hands.
Additional Features
Many poultry shears boast serrated teeth situated between the blades, offering a versatile functionality. Not only can these teeth be employed for opening stubborn bottles and jars, but they also double as effective tools for cracking open nuts or seafood shells.
10 Best Poultry Shears – Reviews
Gerior Kitchen Shears
The Gerior Kitchen Shears are a top-notch option for any cooking enthusiast, offering unparalleled performance and versatility. These professional-grade shears are designed with German CNC technology and feature ultra-sharp blades made from premium top-grade rust-resistant stainless steel. The micro-serrated blade allows for effortless cutting through thick meat, small bones, fish scales, and even removing stubborn skin from poultry.
The ergonomic handles boast a rubbery, velvety-textured plastic surface that provides a secure grip, making them suitable for both right- and left-handed cooks. The locking screw enables adjustment of the degree of tightness, ensuring safe cutting and closing. Beyond their exceptional performance in the kitchen, these shears also excel at various tasks outside the cooking realm.
Use them to open tightly sealed bottles, crack crabs or nuts, trim flowers in the garden, or even cut through cardboard or hard plastic at a barbecue or for general household purposes. Gerior’s commitment to quality is reflected in their 100% money-back guarantee and lifetime replacement warranty on these exceptional kitchen shears.
With their numerous pros, including high quality, great value for money, and versatility, it’s no wonder the Gerior Kitchen Shears have earned a reputation as a reliable choice among cooks and non-cooks alike.
OXO Good Grips Spring-Loaded Poultry Shears
The OXO Good Grips Spring-Loaded Poultry Shears are a must-have tool for any cooking enthusiast, particularly those who enjoy working with poultry. The shears’ unique design allows for precise cutting and trimming of chicken, spatchcock, turkey, and even frozen meat. The 4.7-inch stainless steel blades are curved and tapered, providing easy access to hard-to-reach areas, while the strong, sharp, and durable construction ensures a smooth cut through bone.
Additionally, the micro-serrated blade and notch securely hold bones in place as you cut. The comfortable spring-loaded handle with loop and bolster prevents hand strain, and the non-slip grip keeps your hands from slipping forward. The blades separate for easy cleaning by hand washing in warm soapy water. If you’re not satisfied, OXO offers a 100% replacement or refund guarantee. The shears’ pros include high-quality construction, great value for money, and professional design and performance.
They can be used to cut through bone, are rust-resistant, and have curved and tapered blades that make it easy to access hard-to-reach areas. The comfortable handle is also designed with a spring-loaded mechanism and a loop and bolster to prevent hand strain. Some minor drawbacks include the potential for the spring clip to come loose after heavy-duty use and the blades not opening wide enough for larger poultry pieces. However, these shears are not dishwasher safe.
Check out the current price on Amazon and experience the convenience of precise cutting with the OXO Good Grips Poultry Shears.
Wellstar Poultry Shears
When it comes to kitchen essentials, the Wellstar Poultry Shears stand out as a versatile tool that’s perfect for both professional and home cooks. The ultra-sharp, rust-resistant stainless steel blades effortlessly cut through chicken, spatchcock, turkey, seafood, and even trim meat and vegetables with ease. A cutting notch allows for breaking chicken bones and wings, while the micro-serrated edge makes quick work of trimming delicate herbs.
The comfortable handles are designed for strength and sturdiness, with a spring-loaded mechanism that makes opening and closing the shears a breeze. For added safety, the shears feature a secure lock that keeps them closed when not in use. The durable stainless steel construction is also easy to clean – simply soak in warm soapy water or toss it in the dishwasher.
As an excellent gift for any culinary professional or aspiring home chef, the Wellstar Poultry Shears are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee. With its premium quality and affordable price point, this tool is ideal for both commercial kitchens and home use. You can even use it to cut through fish, turkey, chicken, seafood, herbs, and vegetables with ease.
While some users have noted that the blades may not be sharp enough for thicker bones or turkey necks, overall the Wellstar Poultry Shears are a valuable addition to any kitchen. With its durable design, comfortable handles, and easy cleaning, this tool is sure to become your go-to companion in the kitchen.
Spring Chef Kitchen Shears
The Spring Chef Kitchen Shears is an indispensable tool in any kitchen, whether you’re a professional chef or a home cook. The rust-resistant stainless steel blades are incredibly sharp and durable, making them perfect for cutting through various materials. The ergonomic black and grey handles provide a comfortable grip, allowing for precise control and safe use by both right- and left-handed individuals.
This versatile tool can be used to cut a wide range of kitchen essentials, including chicken meat, bones, ribs, wings, herbs, and vegetables. The serrated blade also makes it easy to remove fish scales, while the steel teeth between the handles allow for opening bottles or cracking open nuts. Additionally, the shears are suitable for cutting through other household materials such as cloth, paper, packages, cardboard, and hard plastic.
The shears come with a bonus blade holder that securely stores them in a kitchen drawer, eliminating the risk of accidental cuts. Cleaning is also effortless, as they can be put in the dishwasher. Moreover, Spring Chef offers a lifetime warranty on its poultry shears, providing peace of mind for users. The benefits of these shears include their high quality, great value, and affordability. The modern design features a black and grey color scheme that adds a touch of elegance to any kitchen.
Other pros include their extreme sharpness, rust-resistance, strength, and ergonomic design. However, there are some drawbacks to consider. The blades do not come apart for cleaning, which may be a concern for some users. Additionally, the shears may not be ideal for cutting through thick bones, and joints can become loose over time if not properly maintained. Furthermore, improper drying of the blades can lead to rusting.
Despite these minor drawbacks, the Spring Chef Kitchen Shears is an excellent addition to any kitchen, offering a great value for money.
Fiskars All-Purpose Kitchen Shears
The Fiskars Kitchen Shears are an excellent all-purpose tool that offers exceptional cutting performance. The stainless steel blades, with their serrated edge grip, provide precision and control when tackling a variety of tasks. From trimming fat on poultry to cutting through steak or fish, these shears can handle it all. The top blade can also be used as a herb stripper, adding to the tool’s versatility.
Additionally, the soft-grip touchpoints on the handles offer comfort and control during even the toughest cutting tasks. Cleaning is easy, as the blades come apart and can be washed in warm soapy water or placed in the dishwasher. Fiskars stands behind their product with a full lifetime warranty. While some may find the price steep, many will agree that the quality and performance of these shears make them well worth the investment.
Some users have noted that the finger holes are slightly small for larger hands, but this is not a major issue. With proper care, including tightening the center screw and avoiding excessive moisture on the center locking piece, there’s no reason why these shears shouldn’t provide years of reliable service.
KitchenAid All-Purpose Shears
Unleash your culinary creativity with the KitchenAid All-Purpose Shears, designed to handle a variety of tasks in the kitchen. These heavy-duty shears feature ultra-sharp and rust-resistant stainless steel blades that effortlessly glide through meat, skin, bone, and twine. The micro-serrated edge allows for precise cutting, making them ideal for descaling fish or stripping herbs. Ergonomic soft-grip handles ensure comfortable handling, reducing fatigue during prolonged use.
A protective plastic blade guard is included to prevent accidental cuts when storing the shears in your kitchen drawer. With six attractive color options – aqua, black, lavender, pistachio, red, and storm gray – you’re sure to find a set that complements your kitchen decor. KitchenAid’s commitment to quality is reflected in their 1-year hassle-free replacement policy and limited lifetime warranty.
While some may find the blades slightly thinner than expected for cutting larger chicken bones, the overall value and performance of these shears make them an excellent addition to any kitchen.
Shun Premium Kitchen Shears
Whether you’re a seasoned chef or an enthusiastic home cook, the Shun Premium Kitchen Shears are an indispensable tool in any kitchen. These exceptional Japanese-made shears boast a 8.72-inch straight blade crafted from high-carbon, molybdenum-vanadium stainless steel, ensuring they remain strong, durable, and sharp despite rigorous use. The shears’ versatility is unparalleled, effortlessly piercing through tough skin to debone a chicken, slice up a duck, or trim herbs with precision.
The notch on the blade also makes quick work of cutting thin poultry bones or delicate flower stems. For added utility, you can even use them to cut cardboard or other lightweight materials. A comfortable grip is ensured by the stainless steel handles featuring a rubberized elastomer slip-free grip that molds naturally to your hand. The interlock screw allows for adjustable blade tension, catering to individual preferences.
While the shears do come apart for easy cleaning, hand washing is recommended for optimal performance and longevity. The Shun kitchen shears are backed by a limited lifetime warranty, providing peace of mind with every use.
Pros: Excellent quality, great value for money, made in Japan, well-designed, exceptional cutting performance, ideal for deboning, cutting twine, trimming herbs, piercing skin, and cutting lobster tails; high-carbon, molybdenum-vanadium stainless steel, strong, durable, and sharp. Cons: Expensive, handles may be too big for small hands, heavy, not dishwasher safe.
Benir Kitchen Shears
When working with chicken or spatchcock, having the right tools can make all the difference. The Benir Kitchen Shears are designed to help you tackle any food preparation task quickly and efficiently. With its corrosion-resistant stainless steel blades measuring 4.4 inches, this tool is both strong and sharp. The micro-serrated edge provides a slip-free cutting performance, perfect for handling slippery foods.
Whether you’re trimming fat or piercing skin, cutting up a spatchcock, butterfly a whole chicken, shredding or dicing meat, trimming pastry sheets, or slicing pizza, these shears are up to the task. The cutting notch on the tool is particularly useful for breaking chicken bones, while the serrated section between the handles can be used to open stubborn bottles or crack open nuts and seafood shells.
Outside of the kitchen, you can use the Benir Shears to cut open cardboard, plastic packaging, or trim flower stems. What sets these shears apart is their versatility and value for money. With a lightweight ergonomic design and comfortable grip, they’re easy to handle and maneuver. And if you’re not satisfied with the quality, Benir Kitchen offers a money-back guarantee.
Overall, the pros of this product include its high quality, great value, stylish red and black design, strong and super sharp blades, corrosion-resistance, micro-serrated edge, lightweight ergonomic handles, and dishwasher safety. The only drawbacks are that the blades can become loose if not tightened properly, may rust if not dried correctly, and are not ideal for cutting through thick bones. Still, considering the benefits, these shears are a great investment for any kitchen.
Victorinox R.H. Forschner Kitchen Shears
The Victorinox R. H. Forschner Kitchen Shears offer an impressive combination of quality, value, and performance. Crafted from high-quality high carbon stainless steel with a 56 Rockwell Hardness, these shears boast ultra-strong, sharp, and durable 4-inch blades. With their smooth cutting action, they’re perfect for slicing through meat, skin, and bone, as well as cutting seafood, dried fruits, and even metal ties, fabric, or plastic.
The ergonomic polypropylene handles provide a comfortable grip, while the NSF-approved design ensures reliability. The serrated teeth between the handles can be used to open bottles or crack shells. Plus, the shears come apart for easy cleaning and sharpening. While some users may find the handles a tad light and small, the benefits far outweigh any minor drawbacks.
With their excellent quality, fantastic value, compact design, and renowned brand name, these shears are an ideal choice for cutting chickens, spatchcocks, and more.
Wusthof WU5558 Kitchen Shears
From the renowned manufacturers of precision-crafted knives, Wusthof brings you the WU5558 Kitchen Shears – a versatile and powerful tool designed for any cooking enthusiast. The 8-inch shears boast high-carbon stainless steel blades that curve inward, ensuring a smooth and precise cutting action. A serrated edge on one blade prevents slippage when cutting through thick meats or skin, while the shears’ durability allows them to easily cut through bone.
Beyond its impressive cutting capabilities, this kitchen staple is also surprisingly versatile. Use it to trim flower stems, cut paper, cardboard, or even carpet – the possibilities are endless. The ergonomic black synthetic handles provide a comfortable grip, and the steel-tooth inserts within can be used to twist open bottle and jar lids or caps. The Wusthof Kitchen Shears are well-balanced, catering to both right- and left-handed cooks.
When it’s time for maintenance, simply unscrew the plastic cap on top of the shears to separate the blades for resharpening and cleaning. And with their dishwasher-safe design, cleaning is a breeze. Wusthof stands behind its products with a limited lifetime warranty, providing you with added peace of mind. In terms of pros, this kitchen shear excels in the following areas: it’s high-quality, offers great value for money, and boasts an affordable price.
The strong, durable, and very sharp high-carbon stainless steel blades provide a powerful cutting action that’s both smooth and precise. The serrated edge prevents any slippage, making it ideal for cutting through chickens and pork ribs. The blades come apart easily for cleaning, and the shears are designed to accommodate right- or left-handed cooks. Additionally, the twist-open steel-tooth inserts can open bottle and jar lids or caps, while the well-balanced design makes it comfortable to use.
On the other hand, some users have noted a few minor drawbacks: the plastic opening mechanism can come loose easily, the handles are a bit small, and rust spots may develop if the blades aren’t dried properly.
Our Top Pick for the Best Poultry Shears
When it comes to finding the best poultry shears, our top recommendation is the Shun Premium Kitchen Shears. This exceptional pair of scissors has won the hearts of both professional chefs and home cooking enthusiasts alike, thanks to its unparalleled durability and performance. Designed for heavy-duty use, these stunning shears are built to last, ensuring a lifetime of effortless poultry or seafood preparation with minimal maintenance required.
For those looking to upgrade their kitchen arsenal, we highly recommend checking out the Shun Premium Kitchen Shears on Amazon.
