scharen

Scharen are hand-held cutting tools consisting of two metal blades that are joined at a central pivot. The singular form is schaar, and the plural is scharen. They are designed to cut a variety of materials, ranging from paper and cardboard to fabric, plastic film, and thin metal sheets, depending on blade geometry and material.

Most scharen use carbon steel or stainless steel blades, selected for edge retention and corrosion resistance. Handles may be metal or molded plastic, often fitted with rubber or other grips for comfort. The blades operate by a scissor action: one blade shears against the other when the user squeezes the handles; a built-in rivet or screw allows adjustment of tension, and many models include a locking latch to keep the blades closed when not in use.

Common types include household or general-purpose scissors, fabric or dressmaker's scissors, kitchen scissors, and utility or craft shears. Special versions exist for metalworking (tin snips) or garden use (pruning or hedge shears).

Use and maintenance: keep blades sharp appropriate for their task; clean after use to remove residues; occasionally oil the pivot; tighten the rivet if required. Store in a dry place, ideally with blade guards to prevent injury.

History and production: Scissor-like tools appear in antiquity, with evolving designs leading to modern pivoted-blade scissors. Today, production centers such as Solingen in Germany and Sheffield in the United Kingdom are renowned for high-quality scissors, while manufacturers operate worldwide, including Japan and China.