Scissors. We all own a pair right?
Well a few days ago I ordered a new pair of scissors specifically for my husband because he was complaining about how my old lady scissors don’t work and therefore he couldn’t help me cut wool.
Mavis: What do you mean they don’t work?
HH: THEY DON’T WORK! They don’t cut, they’re all junk!
Mavis: What are you talking about?
HH: THEY DON’T WORK!
Mavis: Maybe you just don’t like the way my scissors feel in your hand because they’re for old ladies with arthritis {the scissors are awesome by the way, I’ve been using some form of them for the last 15 years and they’re great}.
Anyway… The scissors arrived yesterday and I as soon as I could rip open the package I was handing them off to my husband to test out. And what do you know… he liked the scissors. He even said they felt nice in his hands.
And then I noticed something odd.
Mavis: Why are you holding the scissors that way?
HH: What are you talking about?
Mavis: You’re holding the scissors wrong.
HH: No I’m not.
Mavis: YES YOU ARE!!!
Mavis: This is how you hold scissors. You don’t leave the forefinger behind. Your fingers go in the eye of the scissors.
HH: No they don’t.
Mavis: Yes they do!
HH: No they don’t!
And so for a brief moment I was like okay, maybe everybody holds scissors differently. Maybe it’s like tying shoes. Maybe we all have our own way of going about it but the end result is still the same.
But because I’m me, and I’m pretty much a recluse and I tend to obsess over little details like this, I couldn’t let it go…
And so I asked a few of my friends to take a picture of themselves holding a pair of scissors. I didn’t tell them why. And the funny thing was they all sent me a picture. 🙂
My friend JJ sent a picture of her son holding scissors in their kitchen.
Kiln guy sent this one in.
The Girl holding what I think are her scissors from elementary school. 😉
I also asked Mrs. HB to put a pair of scissors in her hand and pretend like she was cutting something. She was at a nursery {I thought she was at Chipotle} and she snapped this picture and sent it to me.
And then later when she got home, she sent me a picture of Mr. Hillbilly cutting paper.
And then there was Leopard Girl. I asked her too but she works at a place that cuts leather and so maybe they do things differently there. 😉
My friend Heather from MA sent me this photo.
And then this one of her husband holding a pair of scissors.
The point is…
- I lead a very boring life.
- I love that my friends don’t ask questions.
- Not a single one of these people held their scissors with their forefinger out. Not a single one. Except my husband!
What do you think? Is there really a right or a wrong way to hold scissors?
How DO YOU hold YOUR scissors?
Are you on Team Mavis… or Team HH?
I need to know.
Lynda says
Team Mavis
Robin in WI says
Huh … I never paid attention so I picked up a pair of scissors. Looks like I’m Team Mavis. 😉 I’ve had people give me funny looks when I use a scissors, however, because I cut with my left hand and have used right-handed scissors. I do a bunch of things with my right hand, and a bunch of other things with my left. I write with my right but can’t cut with that hand. I remember in a high school art class my teacher was watching me use a right-handed scissors with my left and asked, “How are you doing that?!” I hadn’t even noticed there were right-handed and left-handed scissors up until then; I just thought some scissors handles were shaped more awkwardly than others and everyone had a preference.
Lynne says
I had to reach for my dressmaker shears to check what I do! My pointer finger goes inside the handle and it provides a great deal of leverage there when I am cutting things. I tried slipping my finger out, and it felt harder to cut. Also, I tend to leave my pinky out, even though it fits. The three fingers in the handle spread out, giving me better leverage. The HH has larger, thicker hands, so probably the whole leverage thing is different for him. I love the things that capture your attention!
Brianna says
I tried it out on a few different scissor styles. I only put my index and middle fingers in the scissors and I leave my ring finger and pinky trailing behind the scissors. Obviously my thumb is in the top loop. I have large man hands though. No lady gloves fit me and no small scissors here. I would think you hubbys scissor hold would be a hinderance being toward of the loop and between the blade. He has to lead with it and use it as a pusher and not the leading finger loop.
Wynne says
Team husband here. I tried the other way and feel like I have less control over the scissors.
Carrie says
Team Mavis! However if HH helps you cut wool and the quality of his work isn’t an issue I’d say you’ve already won!
Christie says
LOL! I love it! My HH is the same and yours and I’m in the Mavis camp. It’s our differences that make us such great companions!
Judy T says
So, I’m wondering why, since you cut so much rug wool, you don’t have those really cool strip cutters for cutting?
Cathy Carroll says
I had no idea how I held them until I picked up my scissors and checked!
I’m on team Mavis!
Dina says
Grabbed scissors off my desk and tried, then handed to DH and told him to pretend he’s cutting something. Turns out we are BOTH Team HH.
Patty P says
I thought I was team Mavis, before picking up the scissors on my desk and realizing…I’m on Team HH. Then I texted my sister and had her send me a pic of her holding scissors…and she’s on Team HH. And then I went next door to the Biology room and asked the Bio teacher to cut some paper and she’s on Team HH. Then I asked some random kids waiting for class to start….and all but one was on Team HH. You had one Team Mavis here! (And now they all think I am more bizarre than normal).
Marti says
I agree with your husband. The pointer finger out which allows for better leverage. I taught little ones how to properly hold scissors and that was the way suggested by “experts”.
Jamie says
It might be a finger/hand size thing. I hold scissors like you do, but my partner, who has much bigger hands than me, holds them like your husband. He said it is easier because he doesn’t have to squish all his fingers into the hole and makes cutting easier and more comfortable.
Julie says
Huh – team both. If the eye is big enough, then team Mavis. If the eye is not big enough for all my fingers, then team HH.
Mavis and all – how about you? What if you tried out small snipping shears in which you couldn’t fit all fingers?
Laura Reinhart says
I hold scissors the same way as your husband. No problems. Funny, I had to get my scissors and cut paper to see how I hold them. Never thought of it before.
Sara says
I hold like your HH. I am a small handed woman. Your way puts too much pressure on the thumb joint and on the wrist over time. Since I sewed for a living for 30 years repetitive stress is a problem.
My mother loves those scissors you like. I hate them unless I am just cutting a straight line. Even then they would have to be the only pair within reach. They just don’t cut efficiently (aka go-fast). I’ve bought many brands over the years in that style. I just give them all to Mom eventually.
Amber M says
Finger out, like HH!
Ramona says
When I started reading my first thought, HH is Helping Cut Wool, you have a jewel of a husband. I think his bigger hands make his way comfortable for him. Personally I hold my scissors like Mavis.
Lana says
I hold my scissors like your Hubby.
Diana says
My husband and I both hold the scissors with the forefinger out. We use industrial type scissors that are black and silver and very large. We have multiple pairs and have them sharpened every few months as we have a pillow business so we cut a lot of fabric. The scissors actually have an indent that holds the forefinger so it works best and gives you the greatest cutting force to have the finger outside. For the amount you cut your wool it would be worth it to invest in a better quality scissor!
Kathy says
Never thought about it before but turns out I am an HH
Cathi says
For me it seems to depend on the size of the scissors. I tried 3 different pairs (for science of course), they went as follows; team Mavis, team HH, and team pinky AND index finger out.
Hmmmmmm
Katie says
What is he doing?! Tell him he is doing it ALL WRONG. I just picked up my scissors on my desk and tried hold them like he does. It felt like I had less control.
Vanessa Strawder says
Definitely Team Mavis – I think maybe I would leave pinky finger out if all fingers didn’t fit in the space, but keeping the front index finger out just seems difficult to manage. And, definitely not boring- I found the post quite interesting!
Ha!
Linda Practical Parsimony says
Team Mavis.
I asked Tommy and he leaves his index finger out. He put the index finger in the loop and said he could not cut. I left my index finger out and had no control!
My ex-husband said he could not use scissors. Well, he had his thumb in the big loop and tried to cut with all his fingers on and in the thumb loop. He had done this all his life and his mother never corrected him!
Wendy L says
My husband and I agree with splitting teams just like you do. I would use a rotary cutter on a mat to cut strips of wool. Scissors are too tough on arthritic hands. Thanks for sharing a chuckle this morning.
Teckla says
Interesting! I, too, had to get my scissors and see how I hold them. I think it is individual, because I always have my forefinger out and resting on the finger loop for leverage. My little finger is inside the finger loop. Have always done it this way and never had anyone look at me funny or say anything. And, frankly, I’ve never paid any attention to how others held their scissors; never crossed my mind.
Interestingly, I was taught to take long, even cuts, so the fabric edges would be smooth, so I always notice if people take little, mincing cuts. And, sure enough, the longer cuts are smoother and straighter. So there’s another experiment for you to try. How do you cut? With long, smooth cuts, or short, mincing ones? May your day be interesting and happy!
Emily B. says
I would have never given it a moment of thought until now. I grabbed my Cutco kitchen shears to see what I actually do
Apparently I am in the minority. My index finger stays out. In my – and the HH’s defense- there is a groove on the molded plastic part right above the bigger loop that my finger RESTS PERFECTLY IN. So. I take that to mean perhaps we are the silent majority.
Have a great weekend Mavis.
Lillian Barnhart says
HAHA, I just picked up a pair of scissors and looks like I am on team HH.
Crazy. Glad you have to time to make us ponder life’s questions. LOL
Diana says
I got out of my cozy nest on my bed (hey, some of us work on our laptops from home snugged in, lol) and went to pick up a pair of scissors.
Whelp, looks like I’m team HH. That forefinger was leading the way and I couldn’t even conceive of putting it into that hole. There’s actually an indentation on the curve of the handle so the forefinger rests comfortably there. Never noticed that before.
I love how you make us all question our sanity, lolol..
Have a great weekend!
Leanna Thompson says
Team HH. I’m left handed so I had to manipulate right handed scissors as a child.
Pam from Issaquah says
After reading this post I too reached immediately for my scissors and find that I am on Team HH. I even asked my husband to do this and he’s on Team Mavis. We both tried to hold them differently and neither felt good! This ‘experiment’ kind of reminds me of the old Coke A Cola commercials they showed at the movies that were made to entice you into thinking you were thirsty so you headed up to the concession stand to buy one! lOL!
pamela s says
I think what ever works for you is right. Why ask? I have my way and others have theirs. I am not going to change their mind and they are not going to change mine.
Christa H. says
Inside the holes like you. The flat side of the shear is to glide along the flat table as you cut and the finger would get in the way.
Jennifer says
Kindergarten teacher here… Mavis, you have earned an A+ in cutting skills!
Kelly-Jo says
This is a great post! I, of course, wandered right over to my junk drawer to check out how I hold scissors. I was sure that I’d hold them like you. I picked them up and set about cutting…and what do you know, I actually hold them like your HH! Ha!
Gigi says
Index finger inside.
I just borrowed my aunt’s vegetable peeler and it was awful. Then she reminded me she was leftie. I switched and they worked just fine. Haha
Rosaleen says
Sorry, Mavis.
I’m on Team HH. I WAS Team Mavis until I worked in an elementary school and saw how the kids were being coached. HH style has a better mechanical advanatage.
Kay Bowles says
I can’t believe I just did this, but after reading your blog and laughing about it I had to pick up a pair of scissors. Your hubs has a pal now…I hold my scissors the same way he does. So are we both wrong or the rest of you all are? LOL!!!
MaryB says
I’m with your hubby in this one – whether I’m using small scissors or larger ones.
Mary Wong says
Just went around the house and asked my family to demonstrate how they hold scissors. The entire family index in and I index out! So interesting. Might ask all my friends to send me a picture.
Suemn says
Now that was interesting. As soon as I saw the picture of your husband holding the scissors, I thought, oh, his hand is bigger so he keeps the forefinger out. I hold the scissors like Mavis. Then I went to pick my scissors up as though I was going to cut something and what a surprise… I hold the scissors like your HH:)
Richelle says
*chuckling* I hold the scissors the Mavis way. If the opening were too small for all three fingers, I’d drop the ring finger, not the index finger.
Jeni says
I also just had to go grab scissors and check. I hold them forefinger out, just like your HH. I handed the scissors to my husband and he’s a forefinger out guy, too! It never occurred to me that people hold scissors differently!
Sue says
What I’m loving is imagining Mavis and HH as they find themselves in these conversations.
I see an ordinary conversation, the discovery of a “disagreement”, then I picture them both stopping mid-sentence, looking at each other, and both bursting into laughter, knowing they’ve just found another good thing to “ask the blog”! :-))
Lisa says
Hi Mavis,
Team HH! I agree with others on this team, I could never cut with my forefinger in the scissors! I am also a lefty and had to figure out how to hold right handed scissors as a child – something I still don’t like!
Have a great weekend!
Vivian says
I am team HH! But I am left handed but cut with my right hand. I have recently developed kinda bad arthritis in my thumbs and wondered if your new scissors are easier on your hands. If so, what is the brand? I would love to find something to be easier on my hands.
Mavis Butterfield says
Fiskers. 🙂
Marie says
Best scissors on the market!! Don’t forget the lefties that were forced to learn how to cut with right handed scissors. Tears. Pencil/pen grip was also a challenge when introduced by a right handed teacher.
DebbieB says
When I saw how your HH holds the scissors I laughed out loud. So I got mine out and what do you know, I hold them the way he does!! I tried it your way and felt like I couldn’t get any leverage.
Cindy Brick says
Shoot == and you haven’t even covered the subject of ‘handedness.’ We lefthanders have to debate this all the time when using scissors — do we learn to cut right-handed (which is the general option) or spend our time searching for left-handed ones?
Usually I just cut righthanded. And I usually cut HH’s way. Go figure.
Gloria says
I asked my lefty son and righty son and both put all fingers in the holes. I picked them up and instinctively put my forefinger out front! I had no idea I did that! If the hole is big enough I put them all in. If not I put the forefinger out front rather than pinky behind because that way you still get the use of all four fingers. Pinky out the back means you are using only three fingers!
Judi says
Team Mavis
Pat says
Much to my surprise I am on team HH! Thanks for another entertaining mystery of life.
Jen says
They all seem wrong. Thumb goes in one spot and the other four fingers go in the other spot. Everyone had a random finger sticking out.
Dianne says
TEAM HH
Although I hold my scissors with my pinkie sticking out – my husband holds his EXACTLY the way HH does! So it could be a man thing, or everyone holds them differently. It looks like the most common is with the pinkie out!
Shirley says
I’m with your husband here. I picked up my scissors and my index finger was outside.
Stacey says
Oh, Mavis, you hold so much power over us. Of course, I ran for some scissors immediately just like the others. I have very small hands and I hold them like HH. I even tried both big and small scissors. I almost asked my husband to hold some scissors, but he looks so comfortable with his cat on his lap I decided not to disturb them.
Vicki Fetui says
I am surprised at how many people commenting hold their scissors with the index finger out…I find it to be uncomfortable and I don’t seem to have as much cutting strength like that. So I am definitely an all fingers in kind of gal.
So, what do you think the moral to this story is?
Jessica says
Team HH
tia in boise says
oh my GOSH!!!! i was dying at how many people said index finger out. i tried it–it’s harder for me to open the scissors.
i ran (oops) upstairs with a pair and asked DH to hold the scissors like he was about to cut. (what, tia, really? droll face) NO WAY!!!! he holds them like HH.
what is the world coming to???
Rachelle says
I used to always hold the scissors much like your husband, but with my pointer finger a little farther forward. I stopped doing that the day I cut my fingerprint right off with Pampered Chef double scissors. Ouch!! I keep my fingers inside the handle now.
OregonGuest says
Uh-oh, I apparently am a dude and didn’t know it…..index finger out! What?!!
Leave it to Mavis to give us Deep Thoughts to ponder on a Friday……..
Teri says
Too funny! I’m on team Mavis!
Erin says
I read somewhere that holding them with fewer fingers reduces hand fatigue. hmmm I would have said how you hold them depends more on the size and shape of the handles.
Amy says
Team HH!
Fiona Jerome says
I’m with team HH when cutting fabric and paper – I grew up using huge dressmakers’ shears and they’re easier to control with the finger out. Also when cutting hair – scissors have a rest for the forefinger to give you more control again. But when using things like kitchen scissors I convert to team Mavis… go figure!
UpstateNYer says
The question remains…do the scissors cut differently for him if his finger location changed? Or is he in need of left handed scissors?
Pam says
To my surprise I hold scissors with forefinger out (HH style)… who knew? I’m also left-handed but can only cut with my right hand (the left is pure useless for this task). No right or wrong, whatever works. Diversity…it makes the world go ‘round:)
Dee says
I would be on your team most of the time, but if the scissor holes are small, I’d be with your HH. I think the weight of the material being cut makes a difference, too. My Jeff is with HH. He said his two middle fingers are stronger than his index finger, so he has more leverage that way.
Barbara MN says
When I read that post I thought I was team Mavis. Until I picked up scissors to test. 100% team HH! I have small hands and that method gives much better control. Who knew??
Ashleah says
It depends on what I’m about to cut, but I often leave both my forefinger and pinky finger outside of the handles of scissors.
Laurie says
Team HH. I remember being taught to hold scissors that way. They called the the pointer finger the guide finger. Sorry Mavis
Amanda says
Just the pinky in that big spot -the other three go on the outside of the opening, but I know I’m holding them wrong. A few years ago we were wrapping up gifts and cutting paper, and it struck me that my mom holds scissors way different (all the fingers inside that bottom hole, ya know like most people) and I clicked that I’m the one with the odd way of doing things. Always wondered why the spot was so big for just a pinky, lol. But it works for me and switching feels weird now.
Mary Pearce says
Your husband’s fingers are too big for him to get them all jammed into the loop! Be glad he’s found a way that works for him and is willing to help out!
debbie in alaska says
So I tested both – of course and I totally put all my fingers in … but then I tried it with my pointer finger out and I had so much more control!!
Amy W says
Evidently, I am the super minority! I ONLY put my middle finger in the large hole. The seamstress I was taking sewing lessons from when I was nine years old taught me that would allow for the longest, smoothest cuts. All of the pictures of everyone with all of their fingers in the hole is giving me palpitations! 🙂
Robyn says
I am def team HH. I am an art teacher and constantly tell students to leave the index finger out. It puts way less pressure on the wrist and is just ergonomically more logical. All the pictures I have in my room also show the index finger out BUT I can find hardly any videos that show this. I really do feel the index finger out is the right way. Most scissors seem to have a little nook for it to rest on too.
Claudia says
Hi! I live in Peru, my boys are 3 & 5 and in preschool & kindergarten. They teach them to hold scissors here like your husband does! The teachers and I actually got into a little argument because I taught my kids the same way as you and they said that was wrong and wouldn’t budge. My kids changed to the way your husband does it because they would get in trouble for doing “mommy’s way”. I literally came to the internet to see if there was a “new way” to hold scissors kind of like new math but there are just different ways… but according to early primary education here, your husbands way is the only “right” way, so apparently I’ve been doing it wrong for the past 35 years. Wild.