Scissors Dimensions

Scissors are, of course, those handy cutting instruments ever present in schools, offices and households everywhere. There are different types of scissors, but though they appear to have pretty much the same purpose (i.e. to cut things), we can’t really say that one pair of scissors is as good as another. Varying in function as they do in size, each type comes with its own specifications as to how it is to be used and on what.

As its name implies, the safety scissor was especially designed to be handled by youngsters from the ages of 3 and above without endangering them. Under the careful supervision of their parents, children would be safely initiated in the use of scissors at an early age, and would be able to use these blunt-tipped scissors to engage in arts and crafts well before they are even old enough to start school. Once completely made out of metal, safety scissors today are usually manufactured with their blades enclosed in plastic. They are typically available in the following dimensions: 0.4” (Height) x 3.2” (Width) x 10.7” (Diameter), 5” x 3” x 2.5” and 6” x 11” x 9”.

Used in cutting cloth material, the fabric scissor comes with a plastic handle and long, sharp stainless steel blades. As such, they should not be handled by children. Also, fabric scissors should be used exclusively on fabric, as using them to cut any other material such as paper will only cause their blades to become dull. This type of scissor usually has a knife edge measuring anywhere from 7”, 8.5” or 9.5” in length.

Utilized in clinics and hospitals, the bandage scissor has short blades, with a long blunt-tipped bottom blade which can easily go under the bandages and cut them without scratching the patient’s skin. It also has long handles designed for easy handling, and is used as well in sizing bandages and dressings, and in cutting medical gauze. Bandage scissors come in the estimated dimensions of 4.625” x 1.875” x 0.2”, 5.5” x 2” x 0.1” and 8 ¾” x 6” x 4 ¼”.

Pinking shears are a type of scissors with zigzagged, saw-toothed blades rather than a straight edge. Like the fabric scissors, they are normally used to cut cloth, but basically for the purpose of making decorative cuts. In fact, they come available in a number of variations, each kind enabling one to cut fabric in a different pattern. As with fabric scissors, pinking shears are likewise not recommended for use on paper at the risk of dulling their blades. Among their available dimensions are 8”, 9.5”, 45 x 38 cm, and 2.5 x 11.8 x 30.5 cm.