Over in P101, people are talking about handedness.

[conuly]

And once again we're forced to confront the myth of lefty-righty scissors. So listen up!

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS LEFTY-RIGHTY SCISSORS. THEY ARE A LIE. THEY DO NOT EXIST.

Scissors have inherent handedness. Left-handed scissors are designed with the correct blade on "top". This allows for a more natural movement and it also allows the child (or adult) to see what they're cutting.

Compare this picture of left-handed scissors with this picture of right-handed scissors. Do you see the difference? It's not just about handles.

And if you still think it's not a big difference, I suggest you go ahead and buy a pair of left-handed scissors anyway. And when you get them, take them out of the box, get an old magazine, and cut out a picture with them. Put yourself in your kid's place for a minute. It won't be as easy as you think.

In fact, I suggest this to anybody who may ever be around small children. Try it out. It'll open your eyes, that's for sure.

Note to self: I promised the school last year to get lefty scissors for them, I should do that. I think I'll pick a grade a year, stock them, and keep moving up.

Comments

[cumaeansibyl.livejournal.com]

What about these (http://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-9911-Spring-Multi-Purpose-Scissors/dp/B00006IFNC/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1257964698&sr=1-6)?

[conuly]

Wrong blade on top. Best case scenario, it *still* obscures the cutting line so you can't see what the heck you're doing.

[brownkitty.livejournal.com]

http://www.amazon.com/Scotch-Gift-Wrap-Cutter-14-RC/dp/B002DHC6FA/ref=pd_sbs_hg_2

That's the closest I've seen, and since it's not a pair of scissors it would be of limited use, but would it work for your purposes?

[conuly]

Oh, I *have* lefty scissors - three pairs, though I can only ever find one when I need them. I intend to get a few more pairs for just-in-case.

[atdelphi.livejournal.com]

I really need to get myself some left-handed scissors and learn to use them. I'm left-handed but learned to use right-handed scissors because that's all we had at home and school. As a result, I suck at cutting things with either hand.

[sporks5000.livejournal.com]

I will have to argue that true lefty-righty scissors could be produced by placing two blades on the bottom and one double sided blade on the tip, but you have better only care about the thing that you're cutting out, and not what ever you're cutting it from.

Also, they would make turning difficult...

[conuly]

Back in the real world, those do not currently exist. If and when you produce one for sale at a reasonable price, I'll alter my argument.

[sporks5000.livejournal.com]

I am a thinker and a dreamer, Connie. My brain does not operate in a world bound by things that have already come to pass.

[conuly]

I'm not a thinker or a dreamer. I do, however, have a nifty pair of scissors!

[liannas-mom.livejournal.com]

Thank You!!!
(You have any advice on where to get good left handed scissors?)

[conuly]

For who? You or the kiddo?

[liannas-mom.livejournal.com]

The kiddo. We find them at craft stores, but not consistently.

[conuly]

Left-hander supply stores online universally have them.