The Best Japanese Kitchen Scissors – And What to Look for When Buying Them

Kitchen scissors or shears are often considered more convenient and practical than using a kitchen knife for cutting many types of food, from strips of meat to herbs and even pizza, and saves the need to use a chopping board in most cases. 

It’s a well-known fact that Japanese steel is one of the best materials when it comes to making knives and scissors, which is why it’s loved by professional chefs around the world. Japanese stainless steel is durable, high-quality, easy to handle, and resistant to corrosion and damage. In this article, we’ll compare the best Japanese kitchen scissors and important things to bear in mind when you buy them.

Essential Features to Consider When Buying Japanese Kitchen Scissors

Kitchen scissors or shears can be a cook’s best friend – with a variety of uses including cutting up vegetables, herbs, and meat, trimming pastry, and even for slicing delicate cake layers. They can often be used to create a more precise cut than using a kitchen knife alone.

However, a good pair of kitchen scissors can be hard to select if you don’t know what you’re looking for, so to make sure that you end up with the best pair of kitchen scissors for your needs, you should consider the following features before making a purchase:

• Length – the length of the blades will determine how much you can cut at a time, and you should also consider what purpose you will use the scissors for. For example, if you are planning to use the scissors to cut through tougher materials such as cartilage then you’ll want the scissors’ blade length to be long enough to use them easily without struggling to control them. The ideal minimum length should be around 20-23cm.

• Style – there are two styles of kitchen scissors - straight edge and serrated edge (also called scalloped). Straight edge is perfect for cutting through tough materials like raw meat while scalloped edges are better suited to softer foods like bread and tomatoes.

• Grip – the grip on your kitchen scissors or shears will have a significant role in how easy and comfortable the scissors are to use. For example, scissors with padded handles are easier to grip, whilst scissors with flat surface handles put less pressure on the fingers so your hand doesn’t get tired as easily. 

• Material – because kitchen scissors or shears need to be washed often to keep them sanitary, it’s important to find scissors made from a material which is not prone to rust or corrosion. Stainless steel is a good option because it has a layer to protect against rust.

Best Japanese Kitchen Scissors

Here are some of our top recommended Japanese kitchen scissors available to order online via the Japanese Taste website:

Kaneshika Mimatsu Detachable Kitchen Scissors Shears

These multi-purpose Japanese kitchen scissors are made from high quality stainless steel and have detachable sheers so they can easily be taken apart for washing and sanitizing. These all-purpose scissors are perfect for cutting vegetables, meat, fish, and plastic packaging. The clever design of these scissors also includes a bottle opener and can opener too.

Kaneshika are a specialist in manufacturing metal scissors based in Niigata Prefecture and have a long history having been founded almost 100 years ago in 1929.

Shimomura Murato Forged Stainless Detachable Kitchen Scissors

The attractive yet highly functional Shimomura Murato Kitchen Scissors are made entirely from stainless steel following the most advanced forging techniques in Japan. These Japanese kitchen scissors are highly rated for their sharpness, user-friendliness, and authenticity.

Shimomura is one of Japan’s leading knife producers and their Murato series is known for producing sharp-edged and convenient tools. The Murato series of products are suitable for multiple cooking purposes and can be used by home cooks as well as professional chefs.

The way that these scissors have been made means that consumers can use them easily according to whatever they are cutting. For tough foods use the backside of the edge, whilst the front side can be used to precisely chop or mince food.

These lightweight scissors are also detachable to allow for easy cleaning, are easy to handle, and have a flat surface handle to evenly distribute pressure on fingers resulting in less fatigue.

Kiya Edelweiss Steel Japanese Kitchen Scissors BLY09

These kitchen scissors by Kiya have a wide range of functions and can be used not only as kitchen shears, but also as a bottle or can opener. The base material for these scissors is a type of Austrian stainless steel called Edelweiss, known for its excellent durability. 

These scissors are manufactured by Kiya, a Japanese company that began as a traditional cutlery store in 1792 and are made using traditional techniques dating back to Japan’s Edo period. 

Toribe Scissors Kitchen Shears KS-203

The Toribe Kitchen Shears are made entirely from stainless steel by craftsmen in Japan and can be used to cut food products such as herbs, salad leaves, and fish bones in addition to other materials such as paper, cardboard, and leather. 

The scissors’ sharp edge creates a precise cut whilst the serrated blade cuts through even tough ingredients without slipping. The design of the scissors also allows for all parts to be detachable so that you can easily clean them. All parts are designed to be detached so you can wash each component better.

Tojiro Pro Separable Kitchen Shears FK-843

The multi-purpose Tojiro Pro Kitchen Shears FK-843 are made of durable stainless steel and can be used as a can and bottle opener as well as kitchen shears. The design features a micro-serrated blade to firmly grasp ingredients as you cut them as well as detachable blades so they can be easily cleaned and disinfected after each use.

Tojiro is a leading Japanese knife manufacturer established in 1953 and located in Niigata Prefecture. They are known for merging traditional techniques with modern technology and using skilled craftsmen to create their high-quality products. 

Japanese Taste customers love these scissors for their razor sharpness, good quality, and the fact they are so easy to clean.

How to care for and maintain Japanese kitchen scissors 

To keep your Japanese scissors in the best condition for as long as possible, be sure to thoroughly wash and dry them after each use and store them in a safe and dry place where you are not likely to easily cut yourself. 

If your scissors start to become blunt, then consider investing in a Japanese sharpening stone. The King Super Finish Sharpening Stone sits on a plastic base to avoid slippage during use and is ideal for sharpening kitchen scissors and shears.

Looking for other Japanese kitchenware? Check out our selection of Japanese kitchen knives, cookware, utensils, and gadgets here!