Kuhn Rikon Universal Kitchen Shears
The Kuhn Rikon Universal Kitchen Shears combine Swiss engineering with practical multi-functional design to address everyday kitchen tasks. These versatile shears go beyond basic cutting with integrated tools that eliminate the need for multiple utensils — an herb stripper removes tough stems from fresh herbs, a twist-off lid opener tackles stubborn jar lids, and detachable blades allow thorough cleaning after food preparation.
The micro-serrated stainless steel blades grip materials firmly, preventing slippage when cutting slippery items like raw chicken skin or thick plastic packaging. A self-sharpening blade design maintains cutting performance over time through normal use, whilst an integrated shock absorber reduces hand fatigue when cutting harder materials like cardboard or thick packaging.
Key features:
- Micro-serrated blades: Grip food and materials firmly to prevent slipping during cutting
- Self-sharpening design: Blades maintain sharpness through regular use without requiring separate sharpening
- Integrated herb stripper: Remove hard stems from fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and parsley without waste
- Twist-off lid opener: Built-in tool provides leverage to open stubborn jar lids with ease
- Detachable blades: Separate completely for thorough cleaning, particularly important after cutting raw food
- Shock absorber: Built-in cushioning reduces hand strain when cutting hard materials
- 3-finger ergonomic grip: Perfectly sized and positioned finger holes provide secure, comfortable control
- Soft-touch handles: Comfortable grip during extended use
- Ambidextrous design: Suitable for both left and right-handed users
- Stainless steel construction: Durable blades resist corrosion
These shears suit home cooks who want a single versatile tool for multiple kitchen tasks — from snipping fresh herbs and opening packaging to cutting through food and preparing ingredients.
⚠️ Important Safety Information:
This product features sharp blades. Not suitable for sale to persons under 18 years of age. A signature will be required on delivery. Keep out of reach of children. Keep blades closed when not in use. Handle with care to avoid risk of injury.
What Customers Ask About Kuhn Rikon Universal Kitchen Shears
The herb stripper features precisely sized holes integrated into the handle or blade area. You thread the herb stem through the appropriate hole size, then pull — the hole strips the leaves from the tough stem as you pull through. This works particularly well with rosemary, thyme, and parsley, saving time compared to manually removing leaves. Different hole sizes accommodate various stem thicknesses.
Detachable blades allow you to separate the shears completely, exposing the pivot area and inner blade surfaces for thorough cleaning. This is particularly important after cutting raw meat or poultry, where bacteria can accumulate in hard-to-reach areas. Once separated, you can clean every surface properly, then reassemble the shears securely for next use.
The blades are designed so that their cutting edges make contact during normal opening and closing, which hones the edge through regular use. This doesn't mean they never need sharpening, but it maintains cutting performance for longer compared to standard kitchen shears. The micro-serrated design also helps maintain effective cutting even as the blade gradually wears.
The twist-off opener provides leverage on standard metal twist-off lids commonly found on preserves, sauces, and pickled items. It grips the lid edge to help you apply turning force without hand strain. It's designed for twist-off style lids rather than pop-top or ring-pull lids. If a lid is extremely tight, running warm water over it first helps, then use the opener for additional leverage.
These shears are designed for cutting through poultry joints, cartilage, and smaller bones typically encountered when preparing chicken portions or removing backbones. They're not designed for cutting through large, dense bones — use a cleaver or heavy-duty poultry shears for those tasks. The shock absorber helps reduce hand strain when cutting through tougher materials.
Whilst the detachable blades allow thorough cleaning, dishwasher detergents and high temperatures can damage the mechanical components and potentially affect how the blades reassemble and function together. Handwashing takes only moments and ensures the shears continue working properly. The stainless steel construction makes handwashing straightforward — simply separate, wash with warm soapy water, rinse, and dry immediately.
Specifications
Care & Use Instructions
Before first use: Remove all packaging. Detach the blades to familiarise yourself with the mechanism. Wash all components in warm soapy water, rinse thoroughly, and dry immediately with a soft cloth. Reassemble the shears securely.
Daily cleaning: Hand wash only in warm soapy water immediately after use. Do not place in the dishwasher. For thorough cleaning (particularly after cutting raw food), detach the blades to access all surfaces including the pivot area. Wash each component separately, rinse thoroughly, and dry immediately with a soft cloth. Reassemble once completely dry.
Detaching and reassembling blades: Follow the manufacturer's mechanism to separate the blades at the pivot point. The blades should come apart with appropriate pressure or by following the release mechanism. When reassembling, ensure the blades connect securely and operate smoothly before use. If unsure, consult the packaging instructions or contact us for guidance.
Using the herb stripper: Thread herb stems through the appropriately sized hole in the handle area. Pull the stem through whilst holding the shears steady — the hole will strip leaves from the stem as you pull. Use different hole sizes for different herb stem thicknesses. Clean the stripper area thoroughly after use to remove any plant material.
Using the twist-off lid opener: Position the opener tool on the jar lid edge. Apply steady turning pressure whilst gripping the jar firmly. The opener provides leverage to break the seal on stubborn lids. Works best on standard metal twist-off lids.
Maintaining performance: The self-sharpening design maintains the blade edge through normal use. If cutting performance diminishes noticeably over time, the shears can be professionally sharpened. Avoid using the shears for tasks they're not designed for, such as cutting through large, dense bones or metal objects, as this can damage the blade edge.
What to avoid: Never put these shears in the dishwasher. Don't use them to cut through materials harder than they're designed for, such as thick wire or large bones. Don't leave them wet or store whilst damp. Don't attempt to force the blade mechanism if it becomes stiff — clean thoroughly and ensure it's dry.
Storage: Store with blades closed in a knife drawer or utensil drawer. Ensure the shears are completely dry before storing to prevent rust or corrosion. Keep out of reach of children at all times.
Safety reminder: These shears feature sharp blades. Handle with care at all times. Keep closed when not in use. Never leave within reach of children. Use appropriate caution when cutting to avoid injury.
Why Buy From Art of Living?
Founded in Reigate in 1972, we've spent over five decades helping customers select quality kitchen tools and equipment. We've been twice nominated for the Excellence in Housewares award for customer care. We stock Kuhn Rikon because their Swiss engineering approach delivers reliable, well-designed tools that genuinely improve kitchen tasks.
Our Expertise with Kitchen Tools
In our 52 years, we've seen countless kitchen shears, and we've learned that the difference between adequate and excellent comes down to thoughtful engineering. Features like the herb stripper, detachable blades, and shock absorber in these Kuhn Rikon shears aren't gimmicks — they address real frustrations that home cooks experience. We select products that solve genuine problems with quality construction.
Our Guarantees to You
- ✓ No Quibble Returns - Even Used Items
- ✓ Half-Price Accidental Damage Replacement (2 Years)
- ✓ Price Match Guarantee
Read our full guarantee policy →
Questions? Visit our contact page
Frequently Asked Questions
Return them anyway. Our no quibble guarantee covers used items - if they don't do what you wanted, we'll refund you. This applies even after you've used the shears for food preparation or other tasks. We've offered this guarantee since 1972.
Valid for 2 years from purchase date. If you accidentally damage the shears (such as breaking a blade tip, damaging the mechanism, or losing a component), we'll replace them at half the current retail price with proof of purchase and evidence of damage. Photos are acceptable. Normal wear like gradual dulling isn't covered, but accidental breakage is.
Standard delivery to mainland UK addresses can take up to 7 working days, but is usually 3-4, and is free for orders over £49. Next day delivery may be available for £9.95 on orders placed before 1pm Monday to Thursday, depending on your location and our stock levels. You can also collect from our shops in Cobham or Reigate, or our warehouse in Redhill. A signature will be required on delivery due to age-restricted sale.
These shears feature sharp blades and are not suitable for sale to persons under 18 years of age. A signature is required to verify age-appropriate delivery, as required by law for items with sharp blades.
Start with the smallest hole that the herb stem will fit through. Thicker stems like rosemary need larger holes, whilst delicate herbs like thyme use smaller holes. You'll quickly learn which hole size works for different herbs. The stripper typically features 2-4 different sized holes to accommodate various stem thicknesses.
The self-sharpening design maintains the blade edge through normal use for extended periods. If they eventually require sharpening, we recommend professional sharpening to preserve the micro-serrated edge and self-sharpening mechanism. Attempting to sharpen them yourself with standard sharpening tools may damage the specialised blade design.
The Universal model includes the integrated herb stripper and twist-off lid opener, making it more versatile for multi-purpose kitchen tasks. The Pro model focuses on cutting performance with a quick-release spring mechanism for rapid, repetitive cutting. If you frequently strip herbs and open jars, the Universal offers more functionality. If you primarily need cutting power for poultry and tough materials with one-handed operation, the Pro may suit better.
Whilst the stainless steel construction resists rust better than carbon steel, leaving them wet can eventually cause corrosion, particularly in areas where the blades connect. Always dry immediately after washing to maintain the shears in optimal condition and prevent any rust development.
Contact us directly if you need replacement parts or have lost a component. We can advise on availability of parts from Kuhn Rikon or discuss replacement options under our Half-Price Replacement guarantee if parts aren't available separately.