How to easily tell the difference between right-handed and left-handed scissors.

Ever wondered what the 'real' difference is between right-handed and left-handed scissors?? This short 'how to' article will ensure you are never in the dark about this again!!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Just your eyesight
• and any pair of scissors close to hand.

1. Take any pair of scissors you have at hand. Hold them so that you have a handle in your left hand and a handle in your right hand with the blades pointing away from you.

2. 
    

   Now look at the BLADES - which blade is ON TOP?
   
   If the blade coming from the handle in your left hand is ON TOP of the other blade, they are GENUINE left-handed scissors. Turn them over and you will see that the topmost blade is STILL the one that comes from the left handle! Genuine Left-handed scissors (as in these pictured with the black handles) are a mirror image of right-handed scissors.

3. 
    

   It is much more likely that the scissors you have close at hand have the top most blade coming from the handle in your right hand and that it is this blade which is uppermost - and yes, you've guessed it - the scissors you are holding are right-handed scissors. Turn them over and you'll see that it is STILL the blade that comes from the right handle which is on top. These scissors with the orange handles are right-handed scissors. Compare the position of the blades with the black handled scissors above.

Tips & Warnings

• For scissors to be genuine left-handed scissors, the left blade must be uppermost, that is, ON TOP of the other blade. The blades are biased so that the cutting action of the left hand pushes the blades together, giving a smooth, clean cut as well as a clear view of the cutting line for the left-hander.
• Providing left-handed children with genuine left-handed scissors at an early age will save them from losing confidence and self esteem - the natural progression which comes from feeling useless and clumsy compared to their right-handed friends. For more info on this please visit http://www.lefthandnz.com/index_files/info_lefty_scissors.htm
• It is relatively easy to find genuine left-handed children's scissors these days, so please do ensure that you give your left-handed child the correct equipment - thus avoiding unnecessary tears of frustration!
• Please be aware that some unscrupulous marketers and manufacturers of scissors actually print on their packaging that their scissors are suitable for use by both left-handers and right-handers - they say these are "dual" scissors that anyone can use! Sure...anyone CAN use them, but they CANNOT use them EQUALLY WELL!
• You have seen for yourself how it is TECHNICALLY IMPOSSIBLE to make a pair of scissors that work equally well for both lefties and righties.
• For much more info and to read the full article please go to: http:..www.lefthandnz.com/index_files/info_lefty_scissors.htm

Resources

• Left-handed products made especially for children and adults.