Take a closer look at your kitchen scissors and you may spot a small, jagged notch tucked between the handles. It doesn’t slice like the blades, and it’s not just a design flourish — it’s a built-in multitool. Manufacturers include this toothed section to grip, crush, or stabilize ingredients that are otherwise slippery or tough to handle, making it one of the most practical but overlooked features in everyday meal prep.

For quick tasks, it’s surprisingly efficient. Need to crack nuts, crush garlic cloves, or steady a chicken bone while trimming? That notch can do it without pulling out extra gadgets. It also grips stubborn produce — like lemons, pomegranates, or thick-stemmed herbs — holding them in place so you can prep with more control. Home cooks and professional chefs alike appreciate how it streamlines small but frequent steps in the kitchen.

Its usefulness comes from intentional design. Unlike the blades, the toothed area never fully closes, which allows it to apply pressure without cutting through food. Positioned between the handles, it uses the natural force of your grip, reducing strain and improving safety. This means you get leverage where you need it most, especially when working with hard shells, dense peels, or slippery textures.

Many people don’t realize this feature exists, yet it can replace several single-purpose tools — freeing up drawer space and simplifying cleanup. Most kitchen scissors are durable, easy to care for, and even dishwasher-safe, making them a reliable everyday companion. So the next time you reach for your scissors, don’t overlook that tiny toothed section. It may be the smallest part of the design, but it’s one of the smartest shortcuts hiding in plain sight.