THE SCISSORS

My own “Scissors”
I find this tool a great example of very effective design.

An original “Scissors”
Scissors are hand-operated shearing tools. A pair of scissors consists of a pair of metal blades pivoted so that the sharpened edges slide
against each other when the handles (bows) opposite to the pivot are closed. Scissors are used for cutting various thin materials, such
as paper, cardboard, metal foil, cloth, rope, and wire. A large variety of scissors and shears all exist for specialized purposes. Hair-
cutting shears and kitchen shears are functionally equivalent to scissors, but the larger implements tend to be called shears. Hair-
cutting shears have specific blade angles ideal for cutting hair. Using the incorrect type of scissors to cut hair will result in increased
damage or split ends, or both, by breaking the hair. Kitchen shears, also known as kitchen scissors, are intended for cutting and
trimming foods such as meats.
Inexpensive, mass-produced modern scissors are often designed ergonomically with composite thermoplastic and rubber handles.
A pair of scissors consists of two pivoted blades. In lower-quality scissors, the cutting edges are not particularly sharp; it is primarily the
shearing action between the two blades that cuts the material. In high-quality scissors, the blades can be both extremely sharp, and
tension sprung – to increase the cutting and shearing tension only at the exact point where the blades meet. The hand movement
(pushing with the thumb, pulling with the fingers) can add to this tension. An ideal example is in high-quality tailor's scissors or shears,
which need to be able to perfectly cut (and not simply tear apart) delicate cloths such as chiffon and silk.
Children's scissors are usually not particularly sharp, and the tips of the blades are often blunted or 'rounded' for safety.
Mechanically, scissors are a first-class double-lever with the pivot acting as the fulcrum. For cutting thick or heavy material, the
mechanical advantage of a lever can be exploited by placing the material to be cut as close to the fulcrum as possible. For example, if
the applied force (at the handles) is twice as far away from the fulcrum as the cutting location (i.e., the point of contact between the
blades), the force at the cutting location is twice that of the applied force at the handles. Scissors cut material by applying at the cutting
location a local shear stress which exceeds the material's shear strength.
Some scissors have an appendage, called a finger brace or finger tang, below the index finger hole for the middle finger to rest on to
provide for better control and more power in precision cutting. A finger tang can be found on many quality scissors (including
inexpensive ones) and especially on scissors for cutting hair (see hair scissors pictured below). In hair cutting, some claim the ring
finger is inserted where some place their index finger, and the little finger rests on the finger tang.
For people who do not have the use of their hands, there are specially designed foot-operated scissors. Some quadriplegics can use a
motorized mouth-operated style of scissor.
I’m a firm believer that every human society makes tools and is remade by them, the best are
functional, yet also transcend mere usefulness.
This is a classic case of functional design creating a product that is the height of simplicity and any
attempt to improve would increase complexity.
This product demonstrates the following design principles: -
• Affordance
• Logical Constraints
• Physical Constraints
From the transcript
Norman describes affordance as the perceived and actual properties of an object that determine just
how the thing could possibly be used. What does that mean? It means you look at an object and by
looking at an object, you know how to use it.
This tool has those qualities.
So the physical properties, the affordance of this object make it really clear how to use it.
Logical constraints draw on our knowledge of how things logically work. For example,it is primarily the shearing action between
the two blades that cuts the material.
Physical constraints the scissors will only work with the help of hand movement.