ClipArt ETC

The Scissors and Shears gallery offers 23 examples of shearing tools used for a wide variety of purposes including shearing animals, pruning plants, and cutting metal. Scissors and shears are functionally equivalent, but the term shears is generally applied to larger instruments. See Household Scissors for smaller, more decorative examples.

"Block shears act with additional leverage, and can consequently be used for rather thicker metal, the upper bow being replaced by a long straight handle, and the lower one by a stake which can by firmly fixed in a block of woood or otherwise." — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1893

Block Shears

"Block shears act with additional leverage, and can consequently be used for rather thicker metal, the…

Specialized implements used to cut human head hair. They should not be confused with razors (which usually refer to tools used to cut facial hair or bodily hair) and scissors.

Hair Clipper

Specialized implements used to cut human head hair. They should not be confused with razors (which usually…

"Fig. 6- scissors, knives, and forceps, 1/2 natural size." Elliot Coues, 1884 These items may be used to seize and draw out a membrane or embryo from the egg.

Scissors, Knives, and Forceps Used for Egg Blowing

"Fig. 6- scissors, knives, and forceps, 1/2 natural size." Elliot Coues, 1884 These items may be used…

At first scissors seem to have been small, awkward things, with straight blades and handles. Now they are made in many different styles, shapes and sizes, and are adapted to a great variety or uses. Some have bent blades, others curved or bent handles, some are long, some very thick and short, some have rings for the fingers or thumb.

Manicure Scissors

At first scissors seem to have been small, awkward things, with straight blades and handles. Now they…

Blunt nosed scissors used in the process of pruning.

Pruning Scissors

Blunt nosed scissors used in the process of pruning.

The florist and gardener use scissors with a curved blade for pruning, and a delicate pair for gathering flowers, and large shears, called pruning shears, for trimming hedge plants.

Pruning Shears

The florist and gardener use scissors with a curved blade for pruning, and a delicate pair for gathering…

A tool used for cutting metals. "a and c, levers connected by a link bar b, and respectively pivoted at f and f1 to the frame e. By the arrangement of the levers the movable blade d, attached to c, acts with a strong purchase in combination with the stationary blade d1, rigidly attached to the frame e." —Whitney, 1889

Purchase Shears for Cutting Metal

A tool used for cutting metals. "a and c, levers connected by a link bar b, and respectively pivoted…

A cutting instrument consisting of two cutting blades movable on a pin in the center.

Scissors

A cutting instrument consisting of two cutting blades movable on a pin in the center.

Scissors used for surgery and dissection.

Scissors

Scissors used for surgery and dissection.

Scissors are hand operated cutting instruments. they consist of a pair of metal blades, or tangs, connected in such a way that the sharpened edges slide against each other.

A Pair of Scissors

Scissors are hand operated cutting instruments. they consist of a pair of metal blades, or tangs, connected…

Scissors are hand-operated cutting instruments. They consist of a pair of metal blades, or tangs, connected in such a way that the sharpened edges slide against each other.

Large Pair of Scissors

Scissors are hand-operated cutting instruments. They consist of a pair of metal blades, or tangs, connected…

An edge tool having two crossed pivoting blades

Large Pair of Scissors

An edge tool having two crossed pivoting blades

Scissors are hand operated cutting instruments. They consist of a pair of metal blades, or tangs, connected in such a way that the sharpened edges slide against each other.

Large Scale Scissors

Scissors are hand operated cutting instruments. They consist of a pair of metal blades, or tangs, connected…

A cutting instrument consisting of two blades with a bevel edge, movable on a pin, used for cutting cloth and other substances.

Shears

A cutting instrument consisting of two blades with a bevel edge, movable on a pin, used for cutting…

Scissors or shears for cutting cloth.

Shears

Scissors or shears for cutting cloth.

Metal cutting shears although similar to a pair of scissors feature a fulcrum closer to the cutting blades than the handles to increase mechanical advantage. Shears are able to cut through many thin sheets of metal.

Shears for Cutting Metal

Metal cutting shears although similar to a pair of scissors feature a fulcrum closer to the cutting…

Shears for clipping hair, especially that of horses.

Clipping Shears

Shears for clipping hair, especially that of horses.

A pair of pruning shears used for larger plants.

Pruning Shears

A pair of pruning shears used for larger plants.

"Multiple-bladed Sheep-shears. a, a, handles joined by coiled spring c; b, b', plates joined to the handles and sliding upon each other, the motion being limited by the screw f working in slot g d, d, blades." -Whitney, 1911

Multiple-Bladed Sheep Shears

"Multiple-bladed Sheep-shears. a, a, handles joined by coiled spring c; b, b', plates joined to the…

Traditional sheep shears consisting of two blades that cut the wool when the shearer squeezes them together.

Sheep Shears

Traditional sheep shears consisting of two blades that cut the wool when the shearer squeezes them together.

This shear attachment features tensioners riveted at the fulcrum.

Tension Attachment for Shears

This shear attachment features tensioners riveted at the fulcrum.

Ordinary sheep-shears are not in any sense a pair of scissors. These simple shears have no pivot on which the blades turn.

Sheep-shearing Shears

Ordinary sheep-shears are not in any sense a pair of scissors. These simple shears have no pivot on…

A bench-shears is a tool with two short, stout blades and very long handles, one of them being fitted with a point to hold the shears firm on the bench.

Tinsmith's Shears

A bench-shears is a tool with two short, stout blades and very long handles, one of them being fitted…