Look closely at your kitchen scissors—right between the handles, there’s that odd, jagged bit of metal most people ignore. It’s not decoration. It’s a built-in gripper, and it’s far more useful than you think.
When you close the scissors, those ridges lock together to create a strong, no-slip grip. Depending on the brand, it may be labeled a jar opener, nutcracker, or bone gripper—but the idea is the same: extra control when your hands aren’t enough.
First up: stubborn jars. Slide the lid into the ridged section, squeeze gently, and twist. The teeth add traction and reduce strain on your wrists—especially helpful if grip strength is limited. It also works on bottle caps and small lids.
No nutcracker? Drop a nut into the grooves and squeeze slowly until the shell cracks. Rotate, repeat, and you’re good.
Heavy-duty scissors can even handle small poultry bones, like chicken wings—just apply steady pressure and avoid forcing it.
Bonus uses include gripping slippery plastic caps, cracking crab legs, twisting stubborn seals, or tackling twist-ties.
That “weird notch” turns ordinary scissors into a compact kitchen multitool. Once you notice it, you’ll wonder how you ever ignored it.
