What Is That Strange Toothed Part on Kitchen Scissors For?

If you’ve ever looked closely at your kitchen scissors (also called kitchen shears), you might have noticed a small, ridged or toothed section between the handles — and wondered: What on earth is that for?

It’s not just for decoration or grip. That oddly shaped, serrated notch actually has a purpose — and several practical uses that can make your kitchen tasks easier.

Let’s break it down.

Meet the Mystery Feature: The Toothed Grip

The toothed or ridged part between the handles of many kitchen scissors is known as a jar opener, nutcracker, or bone grip, depending on the design. It’s usually located right where the handles come together, just below the blades.

While it might seem like an afterthought, this feature is actually a built-in multi-tool — and here’s what it can do:

1. Opening Stubborn Jar Lids

The most common use? Twisting open stubborn jar lids.
The toothed grip is designed to help you get a firm hold on narrow jar caps — like those on small condiment jars — that are hard to open by hand. Just insert the lid into the toothed section, squeeze the handles, and twist. The grip gives you extra leverage and prevents slippage.

2. Cracking Nuts or Shells

Some kitchen shears are strong enough to double as a nutcracker. The toothed grip can be used to gently crack open hard-shelled foods like walnuts or even seafood shells, such as lobster or crab claws. Just be cautious — apply even pressure to avoid crushing the contents inside.

3. Crushing Garlic or Ginger

Need to quickly crush garlic cloves or ginger? Some people use the toothed part to apply pressure and crack them open before peeling or mincing. While it’s not the tool’s primary function, it can be a handy workaround in a pinch.