Poultry shears are one of those tools that don't get a lot of attention until you don't have a decent pair. The Victorinox 10" Stainless Steel Poultry Shears are the standard professional choice for cutting through poultry bones, joints, and tough meat where a knife isn't the right tool. Here's where they fit and what to know before buying.
At a glance
- Length: 10 inches (25cm)
- Blade material: Stainless steel
- Handle: Ergonomic, non-slip
- Dishwasher safe: Yes
- Origin: Switzerland (Victorinox)
What they're really for
Despite the name, "poultry shears" handle a lot more than just chicken. Their core job is cutting through small bones and joints that a knife would either bounce off or damage — chicken backs and ribs, duck and game bird carcasses, rabbit, small joints of pork, and similar. The 10-inch length gives the leverage to push through bone without leaning on the cut.
For a butcher shop, they earn their place for:
- Spatchcocking poultry (back removed in two cuts)
- Sectioning whole birds into quarters and eighths
- Trimming wing tips, feet, necks
- Cutting through rabbit and game bird carcasses
- General trimming tasks where shears are quicker than a knife
Why Victorinox
You can buy poultry shears for £8 from any kitchen shop, and they'll do the job — for about three months. The Victorinox version costs more because the blade steel holds its edge through commercial volumes, the pivot doesn't loosen up after 500 uses, and the handle stays comfortable in a gloved or wet hand. For a butcher shop using them daily, the maths works out in their favour quickly.
The Swiss craftsmanship reputation isn't marketing — Victorinox knives and shears are a standard you'll find in commercial kitchens and butcher shops across Europe for a reason.
Care and maintenance
- Cleaning: Dishwasher safe, though hand wash and immediate dry extends the lifespan
- Sharpening: Blade can be honed periodically; replace blades if dull rather than aggressive sharpening
- Pivot: A drop of food-safe oil at the pivot point every few months keeps the action smooth
- Storage: Closed, in a knife block or magnetic strip — not loose in a drawer where the blades can damage
Where they fit in the wider knife range
Shears complement rather than replace knives. For the rest of your butchery toolkit, see our Victorinox knife range or the broader shears and scissors collection for alternatives.
Verdict
Standard professional choice for butcher shops, restaurants, and serious home cooks. Worth the price difference over generic alternatives if you use them regularly. The 10" size is right for poultry and game work; for lighter tasks, smaller Victorinox shears are available in the same range.
Browse the full shears and scissors range or get in touch for trade pricing.
