It's easy to go about your day without questioning some of the seemingly unimportant things in life, but a Reddit thread all about scissors has proven that sometimes they actually are worth thinking about.
If you've previously been intrigued by the purpose of studs on your jeans or the color of a barbershop pole, then this article is for you.
We all use scissors in our day-to-day lives, and while there are all sorts of shapes and sizes available, many pairs of kitchen scissors feature pieces of jagged metal on the center of each handle.
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Since they're on the handle part of the tool, rather than near the blade, it's easy to forget about this little section, as usually you're just trying to cut whatever needs cutting and move on.
But as 2025 began, one Reddit user decided to raise a question about the feature in a post on the 'r/DoesAnyoneKnow' Reddit thread.
In the January 1 post, the Redditor posted a picture of their scissors and simply asked: "Does anyone know what this part of the scissors are for?"
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As it turns out, lots of people do.
Other Reddit users soon responded to the post to shed light on the feature which, it was revealed, actually has a lot of uses.
Removing bottle lids
If you've ever found yourself bested by the lid of a bottle or jar that's just too tight to remove, the metal teeth in the middle of a pair of scissors can be used to get a better grip on the object and help remove the lid.
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In response to this particular usage, one person did share their concerns as they likened it to if a 'wine bottle opener had multiple knife blades sticking out at random angles', however, people responded to point out that as long as the blades are facing away from you - and you're being careful - it's generally okay.
Cracking nuts
It might be time to put the decorate Christmas nutcrackers away for another year, but that doesn't mean you have to stop snacking!
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The center of the scissors has also been described as the perfect tool to remove the shell from nuts, with one savvy Redditor writing: "Everything’s a nut cracker if you try hard enough."
Breaking bones and claws
Don't worry, this isn't as sinister as it sounds.
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I'm talking about meat bones here, for example, if you might need to break up a carcass to fit into a pot to make stock. The middle of the scissors provides a good way to crack through the material - even if it is unnerving to think about.
On that note, one Redditor added: "Also, they are great for cracking lobster claws."
Some surprising uses
Though many Reddit users were familiar with the idea of using scissors as a nutcracker or to remove the lids from bottles, others had suggestions that left people shocked.
After hearing that the grips could be used to remove the tops from boiled eggs, one person commented: "What the f**k!?!? You have changed my life!!"
Another person recommended the tool as a 'garlic crusher', while a third suggested it could be used to 'cut metal wire'.
So there you have it - go forth and use your scissors like you never have before!
Topics: Life, Reddit, Viral, Community, Food and Drink
Emily Brown