Have you ever taken a close look at your kitchen scissors—the heavy-duty kind tucked inside most kitchen drawers—and noticed the small, toothed section near the handles? Many people glance at those ridges and assume they are purely decorative, an odd design choice with no real purpose. In reality, this feature is one of the most practical and multifunctional tools built into a simple pair of kitchen shears. Found on many multipurpose or poultry scissors, this ridged area is designed to help with tasks far beyond cutting. It can act as a jar opener, nutcracker, grip enhancer, and even a mini bone press, making it an incredibly useful component hidden in plain sight. Despite its unassuming appearance, this feature can make everyday kitchen tasks easier, safer, and more efficient.

The toothed section works because of how the ridges interlock when the scissors close. When pressure is applied, the grooves grip tightly onto whatever object is placed between them, creating a strong, secure hold. This design is particularly effective when trying to open stubborn jar lids. Instead of straining your wrists or tapping the lid with a spoon, you simply slide the lid between the ridges, close the scissors gently, and hold them with one hand while twisting the jar with the other. The textured grip increases traction and distributes force evenly across the lid, making it much easier to break the vacuum seal. This is especially helpful for people with limited hand strength, arthritis, or anyone who struggles with tightly sealed jars and bottles.

But jar lids are only one part of what this clever feature can tackle. One of its most common uses is cracking nuts. The ridged area works similarly to a traditional nutcracker: you place the nut in the grooves, apply pressure gradually, and the shell cracks without sending pieces flying across the kitchen. It’s a convenient solution for occasional nut cracking, sparing you from needing a dedicated tool. The design also helps you grip other small or slippery objects that are difficult to hold securely—such as twist-off caps, twist-ties, plastic seals, or small metal lids. The interlocking grooves prevent items from slipping out of your grasp, making routine kitchen chores easier and more precise.

On more heavy-duty kitchen scissors or poultry shears, the toothed section serves an even more powerful function: helping to break small bones. When preparing chicken wings, ribs, or other meats, the ridges can grip and apply controlled pressure to joints or thin bones, helping you separate pieces safely and efficiently. Instead of wrestling with a knife or cutting board, the shears give you leverage and control. This is particularly useful in kitchens where space is limited or where users prefer tools that combine multiple functions. These multitasking scissors reduce clutter and allow home cooks to switch between cutting herbs, opening packages, breaking chicken wings, and loosening jars—all with a single tool.

Manufacturers include this versatile feature not only for convenience but also to increase the overall value of kitchen scissors. In smaller kitchens, multifunctional tools are essential, and even in larger spaces, having a pair of shears that can tackle multiple tasks saves both time and effort. However, it’s important to use the toothed section responsibly. While it’s strong, it isn’t designed for extremely hard items like thick bones or extremely tough nuts, which can damage the tool. Users should always keep their fingers clear of the ridges, apply pressure slowly, and clean the area thoroughly after use to prevent food buildup. With proper care, this small yet ingenious design element can transform any pair of kitchen scissors into a compact multi-tool that enhances everyday cooking.