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Shears

Shears & Heavy-Duty Scissors: Rescue, Fishing & Kitchen Shears at Knifeworks

Shears solve jobs a folding knife handles poorly: cutting seatbelts and clothing in an emergency, snipping fishing line and leader, trimming stems in the garden, or breaking down poultry in the kitchen. This section covers rescue shears, fishing shears, kitchen shears, pruning shears, and multi-tool shear attachments.

Leatherman's Raptor line leads the rescue category, with the Raptor Response and Raptor Rescue built around spring-loaded EMT shears plus a strap cutter, ring cutter, and glass breaker on the same tool. Bubba Blade covers fishing shears in two lengths, Opinel and BareBones Living handle pruning and garden work, Shun and Victorinox cover the kitchen, and Clauss and SOG round out general-purpose and multi-tool shear options.

Prices run from a $12.95 pair of Clauss Professional Snips up through a $119.95 Shun 2-Piece Kitchen Shears Set, so there's a shear here for a tackle box, a first-aid kit, or a kitchen drawer.

Spring-loaded vs. standard shearsSpring-loaded shears, like the Leatherman Raptor line, pop back open after every cut, so a paramedic or first responder can make repeated cuts one-handed without resetting their grip.

Call 888-225-9775 — our team can help you pick the right shears for the job.

Leatherman, SOG & Clauss Authorized DealerFull manufacturer warranty on every pair we carry.
Rescue, Fishing, Kitchen & Pruning ShearsA dedicated pair for nearly every cutting job.
Spring-Loaded & Multi-Tool OptionsOne-handed cutting for EMS, marine, and field use.
Same or Next Business Day ShippingShips from Columbia, Louisiana. Questions? Call 888-225-9775.

The Shears Buyer's Guide (2026)

How to choose the right pair of shears for rescue, fishing, kitchen, or garden use.

What Makes a Great Pair of Shears+

Good shears come down to blade geometry matched to the material being cut, a pivot that stays tight under repeated use, handles that stay comfortable through a long cutting session, and, for rescue or field use, a design that can be operated one-handed under stress.

Blade material matters too: stainless steel resists corrosion in wet environments like a boat deck or a first-aid kit, while titanium-bonded blades on general-purpose shears add extra edge retention against tougher materials.

Rescue vs. Fishing vs. Kitchen Shears Compared+
TypeBest ForFound On
Rescue ShearsCutting seatbelts, clothing, and webbing in an emergencyLeatherman Raptor Response, Leatherman Raptor Rescue
Fishing ShearsCutting line, leader, and light riggingBubba Blade Small and Medium Fishing Shears
Kitchen ShearsBreaking down poultry, opening packagingShun 2PC Kitchen Shears Set
TipA pair built for one job usually underperforms at another: fishing shears aren't ground to grip and cut fabric safely, and rescue shears aren't shaped for detail kitchen work.
Spring-Loaded Multi-Tool Shears+

Leatherman's Raptor Response and Raptor Rescue build spring-loaded shears into a full multi-tool, adding a strap cutter, ring cutter, and carbide glass breaker on the same frame. SOG Parashears take a similar spring-loaded approach in a compact folding design meant for a pocket or a pack.

Pruning and Garden Shears+

Opinel's Hand Pruner uses a stonewash stainless blade built for repeated stem and branch cuts in the garden. BareBones Living's Artisan Pruning and Trimming Shears pair a black stainless blade with a comfortable grip for lighter trimming work around the yard.

Top Brands in Shears+
BrandKnown ForMade In
LeathermanSpring-loaded rescue shear multi-toolsUSA
SOGCompact folding ParashearsUSA
Bubba BladeFishing shears with TPR handlesChina
ShunKitchen shear sets with detachable bladesJapan
ClaussTitanium-bonded general-purpose shearsUSA
Kershaw's Multi-Purpose Shears+

The Kershaw Taskmaster pairs a separating stainless-steel shear blade with a built-in nutcracker and bottle opener, making it a single tool that covers cutting, kitchen prep, and light utility work.

Shears Quick Reference+
I need…Best ChoicePrice
General-purpose snipsClauss Professional Snips$12.95
Fishing line and leader shearsBubba Blade Small Fishing Shears$21.99
Game processing shearsOutdoor Edge Game Shears$22.99
Garden pruning shearsOpinel Hand Pruner$65.00
Compact folding shearsSOG Parashears$74.95
EMS/first responder shearsLeatherman Raptor Rescue$99.99

Shears: Frequently Asked Questions

Answers from Knifeworks' team on choosing rescue, fishing, kitchen, or pruning shears.

What's the difference between rescue shears and regular scissors?+

Rescue shears like the Leatherman Raptor line use a blunt, rounded tip so they can slide under clothing or a seatbelt against skin without cutting the person, plus spring-loaded action for fast, repeated one-handed cuts.

Are fishing shears different from regular kitchen shears?+

Yes. Fishing shears like the Bubba Blade line use corrosion-resistant blades and grippy handles built for wet conditions and cutting line or leader, while kitchen shears are ground for food prep tasks like breaking down poultry.

What makes spring-loaded shears useful?+

A spring-loaded pair, like the Leatherman Raptor Response or SOG Parashears, pops back open after every cut, letting you make repeated cuts one-handed without resetting your grip between each one.

Can shears replace a knife for field dressing or camp tasks?+

For specific tasks, yes. Outdoor Edge Game Shears handle cutting through joints and cartilage during game processing faster and more safely than a knife, though they're a complement to a knife rather than a full replacement.

What should I look for in pruning shears?+

Look for a stainless blade that resists sap buildup and corrosion, a pivot that holds tension through repeated cuts, and a handle size that matches your grip. The Opinel Hand Pruner and BareBones Living Artisan Pruning Shears both fit this profile for regular garden use.

Do any shears double as another tool?+

Yes. The Kershaw Taskmaster combines a separating shear blade with a built-in nutcracker and bottle opener, and the Leatherman Raptor Response and Raptor Rescue add a strap cutter, ring cutter, and glass breaker alongside the shear blades.

How do I maintain shears so they stay sharp?+

Wipe blades dry after use, especially on fishing or garden shears exposed to moisture and sap, and keep the pivot screw snug but not overtightened. Most shear blades aren't meant to be resharpened at home the way a knife edge is, so replacement is often more practical once an edge dulls.

What's a good all-around pair of shears for a first-aid or bug-out kit?+

The Leatherman Raptor Rescue is built specifically for this: spring-loaded EMT shears blunt enough to cut against skin, plus a strap cutter, ring cutter, and glass breaker on a MOLLE-compatible holster.

Leatherman, SOG & Clauss Authorized Dealer · Rescue, Fishing & Kitchen Shears

Find the Right Shears for the Job

Every pair here ships same or next business day from Columbia, Louisiana, backed by full manufacturer warranty support. Call 888-225-9775 — our team can help you pick the right shears for what you're cutting.

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