Make sure you have a sturdy pair of poultry shears…
…in your kitchen if you often cook poultry.
These shears can not only cut through fat and flesh…
…but they can also cut through bones and cartilage.
It is important to have sharp blades, a comfortable, non-slip grip…
…as well as a pair of poultry shears that locks efficiently.
A pair of poultry shears will enable you to safely…
…and easily remove the backbone of whole chickens…
…or a Thanksgiving turkey if you like to spatchcock it.
Keep in mind that you are not actually cutting through thick bones…
…with poultry shears, such as femurs.
Shears are used primarily to cut finer bones, as well as to disarticulate joints…
…which are held together by soft cartilage and are easier to cut through.
Regardless of the type of bird, you should be able to get good results from poultry shears.
Next, let’s take a moment to hear some words from Kamala…
My previous brand of poultry shears had weak handles breaking and bad ergonomics
so I purchased these new ones. Following intensive research of numerous brands,
I decided it was worth the extra money to get these shears.
In order to make bone broth for my cat,
I use them several times each week to cut through chicken bones.
Shears have a sturdy grip and blades that are still sharp after several months of regular use.
On the back of the top blade, there is a fish scaling feature you can use…
…for many other purposes, including grating ginger root.
Wonderful kitchen tool, so helpful!
Now is the time to begin…
What to Look for in Poultry Shears
Blade
In addition to being proficient in slicing through fatty, slippery skin….
…poultry shears must also be able to penetrate tougher, thicker bones.
For this reason, you must find a blade that is both sharp and nimble as well as sturdy.
While serrated blades can be helpful in gripping slippery skin…
…and slicing through it, non-serrated blades should still be sharp enough…
…to slice through fat and flesh.
Locking Mechanism
The locking mechanism on these shears is extremely important.
The poultry shears need to be clamped and stored safely.
In the absence of a locking mechanism, this puts the blade at risk while it is stored.
It is also helpful when using the shears…
…to have a little spring in the locking mechanism…
…so that it will spring back as you cut through bones and flesh.
Ideally, the spring should be powerful enough…
…to help you move onto your next cut…
…but not so powerful that the blades accidentally come apart occasionally.
The locking mechanism should also be easy to engage and disengage.
Let’s keep reading…
Handles and Grip
It is difficult to cut through bones and heavy birds regardless…
…of whether your shears are good or not. It requires skill and strength.
The shears should feel natural and comfortable in your hands…
…and they shouldn’t feel forced.
Your hands might be wet and oily from handling the bird…
…so the grip should be non-slip and easy to hold.
If you’re left-handed, you’ll definitely want to try out the shears…
…and make sure they are compatible with your hand.
Hinge
Shears have a hinge, which is where the blades meet…
…and the design of this element is crucial to the quality of the shears.
This hinge should be able to detach so that you can easily remove…
…the two blades for cleaning, maintaining, and sharpening.
Shears may also have a hinge nut that can be tightened…
…or loosened to adjust the clamp between the blades.
With heavy usage, the blades can loosen…
…so being able to re-tighten them is a nice feature.
“With poultry shears, you should make sure they have a hinge that allows you to take them apart so that you can get into all the crevices to clean after using them. This also makes it easier to sharpen. Kitchen and poultry shears have both a flat and beveled edge, which require different treatments on a whetstone for sharpening.”
Cara Nicoletti — Founder & CEO, Seemore Meats & Veggies
Here’s the main thing…
Our Top Picks for Poultry Shears
| Image | Title | Price | Prime | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | OXO Good Grips Spring-Loaded Poultry Shears, Black | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | ZWILLING TWIN Select Take-Apart Poultry Shears | Prime | Buy Now | |
 | J.A. Henckels International Henckels Serrated Poultry Shears | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | TANSUNG Poultry Shears, Come-apart Kitchen Scissors, Anti-rust Heavy Duty Kitchen Shears with Soft Grip Handles | PrimeEligible | Buy Now |
Let’s go through them one by one…
OXO Grips Spring Loaded Poultry Shears
- Suctions directly to the table, making it nearly impossible for small hands to remove
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
You can use these ultra springy shears to cut through…
…skin and bones on whatever poultry you’re preparing.
Thanks to the added spring in the handles…
…you will not have to exert too much effort…
…as it greatly reduces the strain on your hands.
The handle lock secures the shear, and the grip is non-slip and easy to grip.
Shears with tapered blades make it easy to maneuver into narrow, hard-to-reach spaces.
Shears with handle loops offer a more secure grip and increased stability.
A micro-serrated blade helps slice through thick skin and flesh without slipping.
A locking mechanism protects the blade when stowed.
Pros:
- Cost-effective
- Easy to use
- Extremely sharp blade
Cons:
- Sheath not included
- Need both hands to unlock
Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin Select Poultry Shears
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The stainless steel shears combine sleek design…
…and aesthetics with high functionality.
This spring function makes it easy to click the shears open and closed…
…as well as removing a lot of strain from your hands and wrists.
The stainless steel is highly attractive, sharp, as well as tough and durable.
While in use, the looped handles provide extra grip…
…and ensure the shears won’t fall out of wet or oily hands.
Micro-serrated blades are ideal for cutting through thick skin…
…and flesh without slipping or sliding.
Pros:
- Top-quality stainless steel
- Spring mechanism helps lock shears
- Little strain on hands
Cons:
- Might rust over time
Go on…
Zwilling J.A. Henckels Serrated Poultry Shears
- Serrated blades to tackle tough materials
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The benefit of shears with tiny serrated blades is that they make…
…cutting through finer skin and flesh easier…
…since they allow you to avoid slipping if not for the serrations.
This pair of shears features an efficient…
…and functional serrated design that allows complete control.
They’re easy to use and can cut through oily, wet skin without any problems.
Plastic grip handles are also easy to hold onto…
…and they are curved to fit snugly against the natural grip of the user…
…so that you can apply a lot of force with minimal effort.
Despite the fact that the shears can be put in the dishwasher…
…it is definitely best to wash them by hand so that the serrated blades remain sharp.
The blades can be taken apart for cleaning or sharpening.
Pros:
- Easy-to-grip handles
- Dishwasher safe
- Good for oily skins
Cons:
- No looped handle for added grip strength
Tansung Poultry Shears
- 【EFFICIENCY BOOSTER】- The multi-functional kitchen shears improve your food prep efficiency by saving time to shift back and forth among different tools. They are not only good at cutting bones and raw meat, scraping fish scales, chopping up herbs and veges, but also peeling fruits and opening bottles.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Two colors are available for these heavy-duty shears.
Their sharp blades and reliability make them a favorite with customers.
The shears have a three-lock design…
…which means there is a locking mode where the blades are protected…
…a spring-loaded mode so your hands don’t have to exert extra effort…
…and a detached mode for cleaning and sharpening.
Besides being stylish, the non-slip grips are comfortable…
…and won’t slip from your hands while you’re using them.
When cutting through skin, the micro-serrated blades…
…prevent any unwanted slippage.
Reviews note how durable the blades are and how long they have lasted.
Pros:
- Three-lock design
- Non-slip, comfortable grip
Cons:
- Left-handed users may struggle with comfort
Sum Up!
If you have a pair of good poultry shears in your kitchen, they can be quite a lifesaver.
They can be used to cut or trim down your poultry meat clean…
…so you do not have to sacrifice huge chunks of delicious meat.
Besides cutting veggies, steaks, and lobsters, they help you with other things as well.
Conclusion
When it comes to reliable poultry shears…
…the OXO Spring-Loaded Poultry Shears are your best choice.
Our recommendation for people who aren’t looking…
…to invest a lot of money for a pair is the Tansung Poultry Shears…
…which have a non-slip grip and have a three-lock design.
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Hi there! I’m a food enthusiast and journalist, and I have a real passion for food that goes beyond the kitchen. I love my dream job and I’m lucky enough to be able to share my knowledge with readers of several large media outlets. My specialty is writing engaging food-related content, and I take pride in being able to connect with my audience. I’m known for my creativity in the kitchen, and I’m confident that I can be the perfect guide for anyone looking to take their culinary journey to the next level.
