Messermeister 8-1/2-Inch Take-Apart Utlility Shear
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List Price: Our Price: $17.95 You Save: $7.05 (28%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Kitchen See more product details |
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Messermeister 8-1/2-Inch Take-Apart Utlility Shear
Customer Review: Very good shears
Summary: 4 Stars
I use a sharp boning knife for taking apart a raw chicken, which I find to be more accurate and easier than shears. But when it comes to butterflying one, shears are superior, in my opinion.
My old shears don't come apart, making them difficult to clean. Moreover, that makes them harder to sharpen. Now that they're so dull, and I can no longer spatchcock a chicken with them, I bought these.
They're excellent utility shears, but I'm going to continue using my old ones for non-cooking tasks, such as cutting string, paper, and so on. Because the new ones come apart, they'll be easy to sharpen.
The only reason I've downgraded them to a four instead of a five is that they come apart too easily, sometimes in the middle of a task. They were difficult for me to put back together since I have difficulty with spatial relationships. Now that I've figured it out, that shouldn't be a problem. Still, they shouldn't come apart so easily.
All in all, this is a fine pair of shears at a good price.
Customer Review: Good at cutting but...not a good product
Summary: 1 Stars
Update 12/29/10: These scissors are on their way to the local dump. Besides easily falling apart the screw that held the center post came off in the dishwasher and was lost. I will never buy this product again and would recomend you find an alternative.
Below is my origninal review. This product went from 4 stars to 2 stars to now 1 starred.
I have not had problems cutting anything with these shears, including plastic that is not snapped tight. A vast improvement over the shears that came with a knife set.
The nut that holds the center peg in place does work its way loose and ocassionally needs tightening and the lid prying tool is a touch on the sharp side and I have poked my hand a couple time removing the shears from our storage block. What dragged them down to a 2 star rating is that they do seperate too easily. If you don't grab them by both handles they will open up and fall apart.
But for a cutting tool it is first rate!
Customer Review: Can't agree with Cooks Illustrated
Summary: 2 Stars
I bought these following the Cooks Illustrated review a few years ago. While they are billed as utility shears, I can't see them doing anything more challenging than parting a chicken, so maybe they should change the title to "poultry shears." Any other household cutting tasks I've used them for have nicked the blades.
Also, there is a major flaw in the design concerning how they separate. There should be some locking mechanism that prevents separation in case the shears swing open. I found this out the hard way using them to trim some threads from some window treatments I had sewn and used these shears because they were handier than running back up to the 3rd story sewing room. While holding the shears with one hand and holding the thread with another, the shears swung open and became detached. With a normal set of shears, this wouldn't have been an issue. Instead, it separated, fell apart and landed point down, gouging my midcentury bar cabinet. Ouch.
Customer Review: Not German; not stainless; not adjustable
Summary: 2 Stars
Despite the German cutlery hype, these shears are stamped as Made in China, and the quality matches the typical cheap Chinese products. Not too bad out of the box, but mine dulled quickly. After a year of light use, they now barely cut cooking twine. Although these are advertised as adjustable, which would be nice, the tension nut seems to be peened over and does not turn. The steel is very hard, making sharpening difficult, but is not true stainless steel, or it would not stick to my magnetic knife holder. These shears are acceptable for "skinning chicken," as advertised, but one can do that with one's fingers. If I wanted cheap Chinese shears, I would have gone to Walmart and paid $5. Actually, my $5 Walmart shears held an edge longer than these.
On the pro side, the handle is comfortable for someone with large hands and the shears are balanced well and light-weight. Now, if they would just cut...
Customer Review: Open at least 3.75" from tip to tip and do not come loose - Solid!
Summary: 5 Stars
Just received these today. First off, they feel solid as compared to the kitchen and cooking scissors that came with my knife block.
CLARIFICATION ON ANOTHER REVIEW REGARDING HOW FAR THEY OPEN BEFORE COMING COMING APART FOR CLEANING: I remember seeing a review (the "HORRIBLE" review) that said they only open 1-2 centimeters before they come apart. This is not true. I have a large hand and with the scissors open as wide as I can open them while I'm holding them with one hand in scissors position, they do not come apart. I measured from blade tip to tip and the scissors open 3.75" and do not fall apart. If you open a little more, then they come apart for cleaning. This is not 1 to 2 centimeters like someone else incorrectly stated. You can easily cut chickens, etc. without worrying they're going to fall apart.
Very happy with this purchase.