Miscellaneous
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What Are Curved Scissors?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Curved scissors are often cutting tools with blades that are bent to accommodate some specific cutting tasks. The curvature of the blades means that the scissors must be engineered for a specific hand, rather than being usable in either, and it is important for consumers to find ones that have been fitted for either the right or left hand. These scissors can be purchased from a number of sources, with medical suppliers, drugstores, and craft suppliers all stocking them.

Commonly, the blades on curved scissors are very small because they are designed for detail and precision work. The handles may be oversized, especially when compared to the blades, allowing for greater control over the blades during the cutting process. Many have sharp tips, although some have blunted tips for safety and specific applications. Sharp tips are especially common for scissors used in tight quarters, since the tips can be used to manipulate the material being cut. Sharp tips should be maintained by regularly using scissors sharpeners. They allow you to be more precise regardless of the material you're trying to cut.

Curved scissors are often used in scrapbooking.
Curved scissors are often used in scrapbooking.

For personal beauty maintenance, curved scissors are used to cut nails quickly and safely, and they can also be used to trim nose and ear hair, assuming that the blades are short and blunt. Nail scissors can be used to create a very smooth and clean cut that curves naturally with the nail and the finger, as opposed to nail clippers, which can sometimes generate a ragged or uneven cut. These scissors tend to be very sharp so that they will cut without compressing.

In the medical field, curved scissors may be used for removing stitches.
In the medical field, curved scissors may be used for removing stitches.

These scissors are also used in crafting. Embroidery, quilting, and other sewing crafts often involve situations in which scissors with curved blades can be extremely useful. For example, a crafter may need to carefully tease out and snip a thread without worrying about damaging the surrounding threads or the underlying fabric, in which case these scissors are ideal. Some products made for crafting have blunt tips on the bottom blade, so that the scissors do not rip through fabric or thread while they are being used.

Curved scissors are commonly used for medical or surgical procedures.
Curved scissors are commonly used for medical or surgical procedures.

People in the medical field may also use these items for tasks like removing stitches, expanding a surgical field, and so forth. The curved blades are ideal for making controlled cuts because they can be snapped shut without the user needing to worry about accidentally cutting surrounding tissue. When removing stitches, for example, the blades can be inserted into a stitch and then gently squeezed shut to snip the stitch open without cutting into other stitches or the margin of the wound. Note that scissors injuries are often caused by dull edges, so you should always keep them sharp. You can have it professionally done, or just get a heavy-duty knife sharpener that can also be used for scissors.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

fify

@turkay1-- I saw a double curved scissors at my dentist's office. Do you know what that's for?

I know that if the blades are curved, it's called a curved scissors. But this one looked like both the blades and the handle was curved. I think it's called a double curved scissors. I'm just wandering what kind of procedure it's used for.

candyquilt

I remember that we had used a curved surgical scissors when we had to dissect a frog in school. It was the thinnest and most delicate scissors I have ever seen.

We were also taught about the different types of scissors that doctors and surgeons use and there were so many! If I remember correctly, they were either categorized as being straight or curved and sharp and blunt. The scissors for dissection was definitely curved and sharp.

I didn't even know that curved scissors are used for things other than surgery.

ysmina

I have two curved scissors at home, one is a grooming scissors and the other is a sewing scissors and both are really tiny but work really well.

I use the curved grooming scissors to trim my eyebrows, it seems to get around the hairs better than a regular scissors and I feel that it's safer too. I think it makes it less likely for me to poke myself with it. It's great that it's small too, really the perfect size and shape to care for brows.

The other one I use to cut stitches on clothing. Clothes that have been sewed with a sewing machine always have the smallest and tightest stitches. I've learned that the only way to cut and remove them is by using a curved scissors. The curve gets under the thread so easily.

Both of these are a must have tool for me at home.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Curved scissors are often used in scrapbooking.
      By: Monkey Business
      Curved scissors are often used in scrapbooking.
    • In the medical field, curved scissors may be used for removing stitches.
      By: Rob Byron
      In the medical field, curved scissors may be used for removing stitches.
    • Curved scissors are commonly used for medical or surgical procedures.
      By: redcarpett
      Curved scissors are commonly used for medical or surgical procedures.
    • Some quilters use curved scissors.
      Some quilters use curved scissors.