Scissors and Paper Cutters

Scissor length, tip and handle should suit the hand

Length is the overall size from tip to handle end. Around 5 inches suits children and light craft work, 7 to 8 inches covers general office cutting, and longer shears handle card and fabric. Blunt tips are safer for classrooms, pointed tips allow detail. Straight handles suit most hands, bent handles can ease strain on long cuts, and left-handed or ambidextrous loops exist. Blade coatings, such as titanium bonding, are meant to reduce wear and adhesive build-up.

Trimmers are sized by cut length, and blades wear out

A paper trimmer is sized by its cut length, so choose one longer than your widest sheet: about 12 inches covers letter and A4, while 24 inches and up handles posters and wide-format prints. Guillotine trimmers with an arm give a straight single cut, rotary trimmers slide a wheel along a rail, and pen-style cutters with auto-retracting ceramic blades handle quick tasks. Blades dull with use, so choose models with replaceable blades and buy the part that matches your trimmer.

Questions about Scissors and Paper Cutters

What size of scissors suits general office use?

Seven to eight inches is the usual choice for paper, envelopes and light packaging. Five-inch blunt scissors are better for young children, while longer shears cut thick card or fabric more easily.

How many sheets can a trimmer cut at once?

Each model states a sheet capacity, normally for standard office paper. Rotary trimmers usually handle only a few sheets at once, while guillotine arms cut thicker stacks. Going over the rating dulls the blade and leaves uneven edges.

Are ceramic blades better than steel?

Ceramic blades hold an edge longer and do not rust, which suits paper and card cutting. They are brittle, though, and can chip if dropped or used to pry. Steel blades are tougher and can be re-sharpened or replaced.