Medical-style offset shears are pretty inexpensive at $3-$10 each, but are packed with immense versatility. They are commonly called trauma shears, medical shears, EMT shears, and similar.
These shears have several distinguishing design features. First, they have offset blades, which allow for easier cutting of larger materials. Next, the have serrated or partially serrated blades that make them great for cutting tougher materials, such as fabric. Lastly, they have blunted safety tips that make them safer for use on things like clothing or bandages that are close to skin.
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1. Cutting Clothing
These are called trauma shears because EMTs and medical professionals use them to quickly remove clothing from a person before they administer first aid.
OR, you can use them to cut the Onesie bodysuit off your newborn after his diaper explodes in the car seat when he’s 5 days old and too young to bathe, instead of trying to cleanly pull a soiled outfit over his head. Yes, that really happened. The situation was so bad we had to cut his clothes off.
2. Cutting Plastic Clamshell Packaging
There are dedicated clamshell packaging cutting tools, but these types of scissors work great for making straight cuts in single and double-layer plastic.
3. Cutting Tape
Certain styles come with special coatings that make them great for cutting sticky tapes, such as medical tape. They’re also great for cutting gauze and wrappings, but make sure they’re clean and sterile before doing so.
4. Cutting Strapping in a Pinch
If you’ve heard of medical shears before, you have probably seen a video or two where they’re used to cut through pennies. Some shears can also cut through thin metal strapping, but that’s not something they should be used to do often.
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5. Cutting Small Cord, Webbing, and other Tough Fabrics
The serrations that make these shears great for grabbing and cutting through clothes make them great for cutting other tough-to-cut materials, such as paracord or other small cord, webbing, and tougher fabrics such as canvas.
Which to Buy?
There are plenty of brands that make these, and there are two general sizes – ~5-1/2″ and ~7-1/2″. Some have different coatings, others have different hand grip materials.
Expect to pay about $3 to $10, depending on brand and quality. If you’ve got deep pockets, the Leatherman Raptor is a well-regarded fold-up multi-tool model with added features.
The one I own is a Prestige 7-1/2″ model made from 410 stainless steel with a black fluoride non-stick coating. It’s priced at ~$8 via Amazon, which is what I paid for mine. Cheaper shears should work about as well, but I liked the Prestige’s coating.
mike
The Clauss Titaniums are awesome,ive had some in my roll away at work for a few years now.
Havent found many things it wont cut yet.
Greg Post
It’s funny you posted these today. I was just looking at these for cutting HDPE plastic.
fred
I bought these some time ago from AllSpec and paid about $6 – and included it with a order for an American Beauty 500W soldering iron I was buying – so shipping was virtually free.
I just took a look and they are still $5.58 at AllSpec – but the Amazon price of $9.50 (they have another option of $9.30) bundles in free shipping – so that’s not a bad deal – but it once again suggests that my Amazon Prime membership may not be worth as much as I once thought it was.
Rob
I’ll put a plug in for RIPSHEARS. They’re very affordable, have a built in safety knife to cut straps and an O2 wrench (perhaps overkill for this audience).
I know several combat medics who swear by them.
Only bad thing is you have to buy through a reseller, not direct from their website (www.ripshears.com).
Dennis
I’ve done reasons: 1, 2, 3, and 5. I came across the removing newborn onesie idea when my first son made a major twosie, and it was just easier (and cheaper for my mental well being) to cut it off. Ever since then whenever somebody we know has a baby shower, my wife and I include a set of trauma shears in the gift, for that very reason (you do have to explain what they’re for, otherwise people freak out).
But I think you missed the sixth reason, which is you can get a good pair for cheap. That being the case, you can make your life easier by having multiple ones around the house, toolbox, car, office, etc. Situations where you need to cut something always come up, be prepared.
Dave L.
I must have like 4 pair of these-handy to throw in the emergency kit or toolbox, bugout bag, etc. This place has a couple with interesting features:
http://www.theemsstore.com/store/product.aspx/productId/21668/EMI-Shear-Power-Rescue-Shears/
http://www.theemsstore.com/store/product.aspx/productId/166/EMI-Shear-Tech/
jesse
They are also called crash scissors or bandage scissors. I use them for cutting those obnoxious plastic clamshells. They’re durable, but the basic non-ergo handles can be very tough on the hands for repetitive cuts.
Dave L.
Another clever instrument for your consideration:
http://www.theemsstore.com/store/product.aspx/productId/202/EMI-Hemocut-Kelly-Forceps-and-Bandage-Scissors-Combination-Instrument/
joe
I thought about those too. They come really handy. Goes to show that one can use tools from another trade that will benefit you even though they are not intended for you…lol
http://i.imgur.com/pmZBdTL.jpg
Dave L.
I must have 1/2 a dozen assorted size hemostats, too. Handy for all kinds of things.
joe
Just by looking at the picture, I can tell right away that the they try to compensate the thin metal by doing that groove in the blades to try to reinforce it.
A regular pair of scissors in the range of $10 with the pointy tips being grinded round would be better than these in my opinion.
These seem like they are disposable, meaning, a few cuts, and to the trash.
I own about 4 pair of regular scissors including this bad boy (top) wiss made in the U.S.A….
http://i.imgur.com/EXii8Af.jpg
…(maybe more counting the small ones). ALso, about four of snips…
http://store-planetools.com/ProductImages/kleintools/2102S%20Offset%20TinSnips.jpg…
(just cut today 2mm thick harden steel with one….though had to put my whole body weight, it cut it)….
I would not buy these at all….
joe
For treaming hair too (bottom)….we can’t go to work all heary. The screw in the middle means that it is easier to sharmen/lubricated/non-disposable…..like all solid metal from head to toe.
http://i.imgur.com/Dj3csyC.jpg
Robert
I carried these for years as a paramedic. I always expected to see them marketed for other purposes, as they’re extremely versatile. Although I wouldn’t recommend it, you can cut a penny in half with one and do virtually no damage.
I probably used mine more for rescue purposes than for cutting bandages and the like. They’re great for cutting seatbelts or other tough materials, especially when time is a factor. Although it should be obvious, these are not about neat meticulous cutting. They’re for aggressive cutting when you still need to be cautious. By that I mean, if I had to cut the arm off a leather jacket without causing more injury to the individual wearing it, that’s when I’d pull out a pair of these. You can cut with aggression without the same caution that would be required with more “standard” shears.
We used to call these “medic shears,” but I’d recommend them for countless usages. Leatherman came out with their own version, ( I believe it’s called a Raptor,) and probably a good item. Although the Leatherman folds and has a few extra tools, you can’t go wrong with these. For the price, I’d probably recommend these over the Leatherman any day.