Totally O/T - scientific research

[Claw75]

So, this came about the other day when Mr Claw witnessed me showing our young daughter how to 'correctly' hold a pair of scissors.  He interrupted me and told me to show her how to hold them 'properly. 'I am' I said, 'that's how you hold scissors'.  'no it's not' he replied 'who holds scissors like that?  this is the way to hold them', and proceeded with his own demonstration.

Now, it has never occurred to me in my life that I might hold scissors 'incorrectly'.  Nor do I remember ever atually being shown how to hold them.  I always hold scissors with my thumb and middle finger in the holes provided, using my forefinger to rest the outside edge of the blade on, giving more control.  Mr Claw, however, has always weilded scissors by placing his thumb and forefinger in the holes, foregoing any type of 'rest'.   We both had a go using each other's method but, of course, concluded that our own practice was correct.

So, I decided to conduct a little bit of research in the office this morning.  The field size was small (two).  I asked both my colleagues to hold a pair of scissors as if they were going to cut something.  Unfortunately the experiment was inconclusive as one uses the claw method, the other the Mr claw method.

I would therefore be obliged if the members of the blonde forum could assist in my research by using the voting buttons above. 

Many thanks in advance.

[Sark79]

I use the 2nd option 

[totalise]

I put my thumb in the thumbhole, and 2 or 3 fingers in the other one! I cant imagine using a pair of scissors using a thumb and one finger. Crazy times

[AndrewT]

I put my thumb in the thumbhole, and 2 or 3 fingers in the other one! I cant imagine using a pair of scissors using a thumb and one finger. Crazy times

I think Claw was probably specifically referring to small scissors (like nail scissors) which only have one-finger holes.

On a similar topic, I had a friend who thought I was winding them up when I said you could buy left-handed scissors - they thought these were a similar product to the old tartan paint/glass hammer/long weight joke and that I was winding her up.

[totalise]

ahh yes, mind went blank.  With those I use the thumb and the forefinger.

[Sark79]

Ned Flanders has a left handed shop doesn't he?   I have heard it does fairly well.  Mr Burn's has even visited it before

[dik9]

Hairdressers hold them as you do Claw, but the typical male just wants to cut with the bloody things, not faff around looking artistic

[AndrewT]

Ned Flanders has a left handed shop doesn't he?   I have heard it does fairly well.  Mr Burn's has even visited it before

He does - the Leftorium.

Here's a photo of the owner strugging to master one of his left-handed ties.

[Claw75]

I put my thumb in the thumbhole, and 2 or 3 fingers in the other one! I cant imagine using a pair of scissors using a thumb and one finger. Crazy times

yup, with bigger scissors I use thumb and both middle and forefinger in the other hole.

[Harmony26]

Thumb and forefinger, I am afraid, as taught by my own teachers and parents and also as taught to teach youngsters how to use scissors safely, at Teacher Training College. This method provides the most control and leverage for accurate, safe cutting.

As a left-hander, i can vouch for the value of specialised left-handed items, especially the likes of scissors for safety, control and comfort reasons.

Interesting research  

[Claw75]

Thumb and forefinger, I am afraid, as taught by my own teachers and parents and also as taught to teach youngsters how to use scissors safely, at Teacher Training College. This method provides the most control and leverage for accurate, safe cutting.

As a left-hander, i can vouch for the value of specialised left-handed items, especially the likes of scissors for safety, control and comfort reasons.

Interesting research  

thanks Harmony - it is interesting to know there is a 'correct' way.  Of course when I try to hold the scissors 'properly' I can't control them very well at all because I've become conditioned to my way of doing it.

Our daughter is also left handed, and Mr Claw too thought I was joking when I said we'd have to get her some left handed scissors!

[Harmony26]

Thumb and forefinger, I am afraid, as taught by my own teachers and parents and also as taught to teach youngsters how to use scissors safely, at Teacher Training College. This method provides the most control and leverage for accurate, safe cutting.

As a left-hander, i can vouch for the value of specialised left-handed items, especially the likes of scissors for safety, control and comfort reasons.

Interesting research  

thanks Harmony - it is interesting to know there is a 'correct' way.  Of course when I try to hold the scissors 'properly' I can't control them very well at all because I've become conditioned to my way of doing it.

Our daughter is also left handed, and Mr Claw too thought I was joking when I said we'd have to get her some left handed scissors!

Hi Claw, I was just sat here thinking that probably the safest way is the way one is used to holding them anyway - so I came onto post and saw your message! If you are comfortable using a particular method stick to it, like you say, you are  used to that and so it'll be safest! 

Have fun with the research anyway!

[matt674]

Unfortunately i cannot vote as my option is not available

I hold one of the circular loops in one hand and the other circular loop in the other hand and then push and pull both hands together and apart.

But then its not really advisable to place sharp objects in the hands of a primate!!

[AdamM]

i thought index but I picked a pair up and found I probably use middle finger. either really.

right and wrong way? pah, fascism

[Rod Paradise]

i thought index but I picked a pair up and found I probably use middle finger. either really.

right and wrong way? pah, fascism

Rod - as his usual sarky bollox - not as a mod.

The only guy to sit in the fence and still be opinionated