Calphalon Kitchen Shears: What They Are and How They Compare

Calphalon makes kitchen shears in a few configurations, typically sold individually or as part of their knife sets. If you need a standalone pair of kitchen shears and are considering Calphalon, the short version is: they're functional mid-budget shears that work well for standard kitchen tasks, but they're not the best option at the price. Wüsthof or KitchenAid shears at similar prices have better build quality, and Victorinox shears slightly outperform Calphalon for similar money.

This guide covers what Calphalon kitchen shears offer, the specific models, how they compare to alternatives, and what you should actually look for when buying kitchen shears.

What Calphalon Kitchen Shears Are

Calphalon sells kitchen shears in two main configurations:

Self-Sharpening Knife Set Shears: The shears included in their Self-Sharpening knife sets. These are functional kitchen shears but not shears designed for high-demand use. They come with the knife set rather than as a premium standalone shear.

Calphalon Classic Kitchen Shears (standalone): Sold separately at $15-25. Stainless steel blades, comfortable grip handles, spring-loaded for one-handed use, dishwasher safe claim.

The standalone shears feature: - Micro-serrated lower blade for grip on slippery foods - Spring mechanism for reduced hand fatigue - Soft-grip handles - Blade cover/sheath on some models - Separated handles for easy cleaning (on some versions)

These are straightforward kitchen shears without any special features beyond what you'd expect from a $20 kitchen shear.

What Kitchen Shears Are Actually Good For

Before comparing brands, it's worth being clear about what kitchen shears do well:

Breaking down poultry: Cutting through the spine of a chicken to butterfly it, trimming wing tips, separating joints. This is where good shears outshine bad ones most clearly.

Cutting herbs: Snipping herbs directly from the stem, cutting chives and green onions, trimming basil.

Opening food packaging: Bags, clamshell packaging, zip ties.

Cutting pizza, flatbread, or tortillas: Scissors cut through these faster than a knife.

Trimming fat: Snipping excess fat from chops or trimming silverskin.

Dried pasta and noodles: Breaking pasta to length without the mess of snapping.

For poultry work specifically, shear quality matters. Thin, weak shears flex when cutting through spine or joint, making the work harder and less safe. Thicker, stronger shears cut through cleanly.

Calphalon vs. Alternatives at Similar Prices

At $15-25 for Calphalon kitchen shears, the competition:

Wüsthof Kitchen Shears (~$25-35): Better steel, more solid construction. Wüsthof shears hold up better under heavy use and feel more substantial. Worth the modest premium if you break down a lot of poultry.

Victorinox Kitchen Shears (~$25-35): Same trust as their knives, better-documented steel, solid build. Comparable price to Calphalon, better performance.

KitchenAid Kitchen Shears (~$15-25): Similar price to Calphalon, often better-reviewed for build quality at the same price point.

OXO Good Grips Kitchen Shears (~$15-20): Very well-reviewed for ergonomics and everyday use. Spring-loaded, comes apart for cleaning, comfortable grip. Strong competition for Calphalon at the same price.

Where Calphalon is competitive: The brand name and the visual match if you're buying them to go with a Calphalon knife set or have a Calphalon kitchen aesthetic preference. The performance difference between Calphalon and OXO is minor for light use.

For how kitchen shears fit into a complete kitchen setup, the Best Kitchen Knives guide covers the accessory tools alongside the knives.

What Makes Kitchen Shears Good

When evaluating any kitchen shears:

Blade steel: Thicker, harder blades maintain their edge through heavy use. Thin, soft blades bend or dull quickly when cutting through poultry bones.

Pivot tension: The pivot where the two blades meet should be firm enough that the blades align properly when closing. Loose pivots lead to blades flexing past each other rather than cutting.

Handle ergonomics: Comfort matters for extended use. Spring-loaded handles reduce hand fatigue for tasks that require many cuts. Soft-grip handles are comfortable even without gloves.

Separating handles: Shears that pull apart at the pivot are easier to clean thoroughly. Food accumulates in the pivot joint and is harder to clean without separation.

Length: Most kitchen shears are 8-9 inches total length. Shorter shears are easier to maneuver; longer shears have more leverage for heavy cuts.

Serration: A micro-serrated lower blade provides purchase on slippery foods like fish skin or poultry skin. Both Calphalon and most quality shears include this.

Calphalon Shears for Specific Tasks

For herbs, packaging, and light food tasks: Calphalon shears are perfectly adequate. The blade steel is sufficient for these low-demand tasks, and the spring mechanism and handles work well.

For poultry breakdown: Where the limitation shows. Breaking down a whole chicken involves cutting through spine, cartilage, and small bones. Calphalon shears work but feel less solid than Wüsthof or Victorinox shears on these tasks.

For regular everyday use: The Calphalon shears hold up for 2-3 years of regular home use before performance degrades. Not a long-term investment.

For a broader view of kitchen tools that complement quality knives, the Top Kitchen Knives guide covers the full toolkit.

FAQ

Are Calphalon kitchen shears dishwasher safe?

Calphalon says yes, but hand washing is better if you care about the shears lasting. Dishwasher cycles introduce moisture into the pivot joint that can cause rust spots over time, even on stainless steel.

Do Calphalon kitchen shears come apart for cleaning?

Some models do, some don't. Check the specific listing. The separate-handle design is better for thorough cleaning and worth prioritizing.

How long do Calphalon kitchen shears last?

2-4 years of regular home use is a reasonable expectation. The blades dull with extended use, and the pivot can loosen with heavy use over time. At $20, replacement is practical when they degrade.

What's the difference between kitchen shears and craft scissors?

Kitchen shears are designed for food tasks: thicker blades for bone and cartilage, ergonomic handles for kitchen grip, and corrosion-resistant steel for food contact. Don't use craft scissors for food prep (the metal isn't food-safe and the blades aren't designed for the task). Kitchen shears shouldn't be used for paper and craft tasks either, as these tasks dull the blade faster than food work.

Bottom Line

Calphalon kitchen shears are functional mid-budget shears at $15-25 that work well for light kitchen tasks like herbs, packaging, and occasional poultry work. For similar money, OXO Good Grips or KitchenAid shears are often better-reviewed for ergonomics and build quality. For regular poultry breakdown and heavy use, spend a bit more for Wüsthof or Victorinox shears at $25-35. If you're buying a Calphalon knife set anyway and the shears are included, they're a useful addition to the block. As a standalone purchase for someone who uses shears heavily, there are better options at the price.