Fiskars Kitchen Shears: A Practical Guide to the Brand's Best Options

Fiskars makes some of the most reliable kitchen shears available, and they consistently show up at the top of recommendations for good reason. Their shears are well-built, reasonably priced, and designed for the kind of ongoing use that most home cooks actually put tools through. If you're trying to decide whether Fiskars kitchen shears are worth it, or which model to get, this guide breaks down what sets them apart and what each option offers.

I'll cover the main models, what they're best suited for, how they hold up over time, and what to watch out for when comparing options. Kitchen shears often get overlooked in favor of knives, but a good pair changes how you work in the kitchen more than most people expect.

Why Kitchen Shears Are Worth Owning

A lot of cooks underestimate how often dedicated kitchen shears come in handy. Beyond cutting twine or opening packages, shears are genuinely better than a knife for certain tasks. Spatchcocking a chicken, snipping fresh herbs directly into a pan, trimming artichoke leaves, cutting dried chilies, portioning pizza, and breaking down green onions are all faster and cleaner with shears than with a cutting board and knife.

The difference between kitchen shears and regular scissors is construction. Kitchen shears are built to handle thicker, wetter, more resistant materials. The blades are heavier, the pivot screw is usually tighter, and many pairs are designed to come apart for thorough cleaning.

Fiskars landed in this category by taking the same approach they apply to their craft and garden tools: good materials, ergonomic handles, and pricing that doesn't require justification.

The Main Fiskars Kitchen Shears Models

Fiskars All-Purpose Kitchen Shears

This is the entry-level option in Fiskars' kitchen line. It's a one-piece design that doesn't come apart, priced around $12 to $15. For most everyday tasks like cutting string, trimming meat, or snipping herbs, it does the job without complaint.

The blades are stainless steel with a serrated upper blade, which helps grip slippery materials. The handles are comfortable for most hand sizes, and the integrated bottle opener adds a small but useful feature.

The limitation is cleaning. Because it doesn't separate, you're relying on rinsing and towel-drying to get into the pivot area, which isn't ideal if you use them regularly on raw proteins. For light use or infrequent cooking, that's a reasonable tradeoff for the price.

Fiskars Kitchen Shears with Soft Grip Handle

The soft-grip version sits a step above the basic model. The handles are coated with a non-slip material that makes them more comfortable for extended use, and the grip stays functional even with wet or lightly greased hands.

Construction is similar to the all-purpose model. Stainless blades, serrated upper blade, and a useful micro-tip for detail work. This model also doesn't come apart, so cleaning is the same limitation.

At around $15 to $20, it's a small upgrade that makes a noticeable difference if you're spending real time in the kitchen.

Fiskars Take-Apart Kitchen Shears

This is the model I'd recommend most people start with. It comes apart at the pivot for thorough cleaning, which matters more than most buyers realize until they've used non-separating shears on raw poultry a few times and tried to clean the pivot joint.

The blades are heavier than the basic models, the serration is more aggressive for gripping tough materials, and the build feels more substantial overall. Bone notch on the lower blade handles small bones and cartilage. Bottle opener integrated near the handle.

Priced around $20 to $25, the take-apart design is worth every dollar of the premium over the basic version. These wash quickly and completely, and they stay clean in a way that one-piece shears can't match.

For general kitchen use, these are the right choice. If you're comparing kitchen shears more broadly, the take-apart design is one of the things I specifically look for in a good pair.

How Fiskars Shears Compare to OXO and Wüsthof

The kitchen shears market has a few credible competitors. OXO Good Grips shears are popular for a reason, with a solid take-apart design and slightly more comfortable handles for larger hands. They run $15 to $25 depending on the model.

Wüsthof shears are a significant step up at $50+, with heavier German steel and a noticeably more substantial feel. For a home cook, the Wüsthof shears are excellent but probably more knife than you need. For someone who regularly processes whole birds or works with tougher materials, the Wüsthof quality is noticeable.

Fiskars sits comfortably in the middle. Better than the cheapest no-name options, comparable to OXO, and a fraction of the price of premium brands. If you're equipping a home kitchen, the take-apart Fiskars model gives you 90% of what the expensive options offer at 40% of the cost.

What Fiskars Shears Are Less Suited For

Fiskars shears work well for most home kitchen tasks, but they have limits. They're not designed for heavy-duty butchering like cutting through thick chicken bones or splitting a duck carcass. For that kind of work, heavier poultry shears with stronger springs and thicker blades do better.

The blades also aren't going to hold an edge as long as premium options. With regular use, they'll need professional sharpening or replacement every few years. At the price point, replacement is often more practical than sharpening.

If you're doing serious volume cooking or running a small catering operation, the Fiskars line is designed for home use and will wear faster than commercial options.

Maintaining Fiskars Kitchen Shears

Cleaning

For the take-apart model, disassembly is the obvious advantage. Separate the blades, wash both pieces with soap and warm water, dry completely before reassembly. For one-piece models, rinse thoroughly and work water into the pivot joint, then dry with a towel.

Never put kitchen shears in the dishwasher regularly. The heat and detergents dull the blades and can damage the handles over time. Occasional dishwasher runs won't destroy them, but handwashing extends their life considerably.

Storing

Store shears in a knife block, on a magnetic strip with a blade guard, or in a drawer with the blades protected. Loose storage where they can bang against other tools dulls the edges.

Sharpening

Fiskars shears can be sharpened with a ceramic rod drawn carefully along each blade, or with a diamond-coated sharpening tool designed for scissors. If the blades are significantly dulled, a professional sharpening service or replacement is the practical answer.

FAQ

Are Fiskars kitchen shears dishwasher safe?

Fiskars states that most of their kitchen shears are dishwasher safe on the top rack. In practice, handwashing preserves the edge and handle condition significantly better. The take-apart model is easy enough to handwash that it's worth the extra 30 seconds.

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

Kitchen shears are built heavier, with blades designed to cut through food rather than paper or fabric. They usually include features like bottle openers, bone notches, or jar grippers. The blades are typically thicker and the pivot is tighter to handle resistance. Regular scissors will struggle with tasks like spatchcocking poultry.

Do Fiskars kitchen shears come apart for cleaning?

The take-apart model does, yes. The basic and soft-grip models don't. If cleaning is a priority, specifically look for the take-apart version when shopping.

How long do Fiskars kitchen shears last?

With regular home use and proper care, a few years at minimum. The take-apart model tends to last longer because it can be cleaned properly and doesn't develop the buildup at the pivot that leads to corrosion and stiffness. Replacement at the price point is typically more practical than professional sharpening.

The Bottom Line

Fiskars kitchen shears hit the right balance of price, durability, and performance for home cooks. The take-apart model is the one worth buying if you're cooking regularly, because clean shears are effective shears. If you're also evaluating full knife sets, take a look at our best kitchen knives guide or the top kitchen knives roundup for how shears fit alongside a complete kitchen knife setup.