snippers

Snippers is the plural form of snipper, a term used for several kinds of small hand tools designed to make quick, precise cuts. Because the term is informal and context-dependent, it does not refer to a single standardized tool but to a family of implements used in distinct fields. In gardening and floristry, snippers are small pruners or floral scissors intended for trimming stems, buds, and dried matter without damaging adjacent tissue. In electronics and hobby machining, snippers or wire snips describe compact cutters used to sever wires or leads, often with flush-cutting jaws that leave the surface smooth. In crafts and textiles, embroidery scissors or micro-snips are also described as snippers, valued for their fine tips and precise control.

Most snippers share common features: a pair of blades or jaws connected by a pivot, spring-loaded handles or comfortable grips, and a design optimized for controlled, short cuts. Some models include locking mechanisms, curved or bent blades for access in tight spaces, or flush-cut jaws to minimize post-cut protrusions.

Care and safety: keep blades sharp and clean; use the tool for its intended material; avoid using snippers as pry tools; periodically oil the pivot and store with blade caps if available.

Etymology: the verb snip dates from the 16th century; snipper denotes one who snips, and snippers is its plural form.

See also: Scissors, pruning shears, wire cutters, embroidery scissors.