More often than not, some of our favorite buys are small, how-didn’t-I-know-about-this products that solve an everyday problem. That’s what we’re highlighting in our Little Lifesavers series: cheap, simple purchases that you’ll use on the daily. Hit “Add to Cart” and thank us later!
The Problem: I'm left-handed, and have been awkwardly using right-handed scissors in my dominant hand for years. This has resulted in uneven cuts and hand cramps for far too long.
The Solution: Fiskars left-handed scissors, a true pair of lefty-friendly scissors that are comfortable, sharp, and affordable.
If you’re left-handed, I can almost guarantee you’re used to dealing with the fact that we live in a right-hander's world.
You probably don’t raise a stink about it, either, even though simple tasks can suck big time. So, I’ll complain for you. I hate using can openers, most pens I use smudge, and even my coffee mug can’t properly be sipped from if I hold it in my dominant hand.
Another pain point of being a lefty? Scissors. Yes, southpaws can use right-handed scissors, but they are painful and don’t cut as well as they would if a right-handed person were holding them.
I was gifted a pair of Fiskars’ left-handed scissors, and I love them so much. I know they are just scissors, but if you’re right-handed, trust me: You’re taking your ability to easily use scissors for granted!
These babies cut through paper, packaging, and fabric like a hot knife in butter. Before, all my cuts were uneven, and my hand would cramp up after cutting for only a few minutes.
The secret as to why they work so well? The Fiskars' left blade is on top, and they have handles that are designed to be gripped with your left hand.
A quick lesson in how scissors work: When you hold scissors, you exert pressure outward in each direction, perpendicular to the scissor blade as you cut. Right-handed scissor blades appear on the opposite side to the pressure, so the blades push together to make clean cuts.
If a left-handed person is holding right-handed scissors, the pressure isn’t natural. It forces the blades apart slightly, so the blades don’t join together — resulting in worse cuts and hand cramps, since you’ll overcompensate and apply more pressure.
If you’re a visual learner, this video does a fine job of illustrating the problem, too.
The bottom line is that the Fiskars scissors just work. Honestly, I recommend you buy two pairs. The pair I own has held up well over the last 2 years, but I just misplaced it and immediately had to order another because I can't live without them.
Also, if anybody has a pair of lefty-friendly kitchen shears to recommend, please do: I’m all ears!
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