Cilantro goes on last. In a Mexican kitchen it is the herb that finishes the dish: over tacos, into pico de gallo, across a bowl of pozole or a plate of enfrijoladas. It is also the herb that bruises and blackens if you chop it with a dull knife and then let it sit. Herb scissors are an answer to both problems. They cut herbs fast, cleanly and straight over the plate, so the cilantro is cut seconds before it is eaten.
There are two kinds worth knowing. Multi-blade herb scissors stack five blades on each side and turn a handful of leaves into fine ribbons in a few snips. Herb snips are small, sharp, ordinary-shaped scissors built for precise cutting and often a herb stripper. This guide compares eight of them, from 5-blade scissors with cleaning combs to Japanese and commercial-kitchen snips, using makers’ specifications and the Amazon listings.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications and verified buyer reports.
Quick verdict: which herb scissors to buy
For most kitchens, the best herb scissors are the Jenaluca 5-Blade Herb Scissors: five stainless steel blades, a cleaning comb and a safety cover in one dishwasher-safe kit. For the same design from the German-branded housewares maker, choose the Westmark 5-Blade Herb Scissors; for a lifetime warranty, the Cuisinart 8.5-inch Herb Shears. If you would rather have precise snips than ribbons, the Shun Herb Shears have an extra-fine 16-degree edge, and the Mercer Culinary Herb Snips are built for commercial kitchens.
The table shows our five standout picks, one for each kind of cook. All eight are reviewed in full below it.
Five herb scissors side by side
Blades and cleaning for our five standout picks, as each maker or Amazon listing states them.
| Herb scissors | Best for | Blades | Cleaning | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Jenaluca 5-Blade Herb ScissorsBest overall
|
Cilantro, chives and leafy greens | 5 blades, 18/8 stainless | Comb and cover; dishwasher safe | View on Amazon |
Westmark 5-Blade Herb ScissorsBest runner-up
|
A housewares brand’s version | 5 blades, stainless | Comb; dishwasher safe | View on Amazon |
Cuisinart 8.5-inch Herb ShearsBest warranty
|
Bigger hands, bigger bunches | 5 blades each side, stainless | Blade guard; dishwasher not stated | View on Amazon |
Shun Herb ShearsBest premium snips
|
Clean cuts without bruising | 2 blades, 420J2, 16-degree edge | Comes apart | View on Amazon |
Mercer Culinary 6.5-inch Herb SnipsBest for prep
|
Herbs, shellfish, small birds | 2 blades, one micro-serrated | Hand wash only | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Specifications as stated by each maker or Amazon listing. Check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best herb scissors
These eight cover both kinds of herb scissors: four multi-blade designs with five blades for fast, fine cutting, and four two-blade snips for precise trimming and stripping. We judged each first on soft herbs, the way a Mexican kitchen uses them: cilantro, chives, green onion tops and basil. Then we looked at cleaning, because herbs stuck between five blades are the main complaint about this kind of tool.
1. Jenaluca 5-Blade Herb Scissors – Comb, Cover and Dishwasher Safe
Jenaluca’s herb scissors are the most complete kit of the multi-blade designs here. The listing describes five stainless steel blades made of 18/8 stainless, a cleaning comb that clears all five blades in one swipe, and a protective cover that keeps the blades safe in a drawer. The scissors measure about 7.5 inches and are designed to fit both right and left hands.
Jenaluca names parsley, basil, cilantro, dill, oregano, mint, chives and leafy greens as the herbs they suit, and says two snips equal ten knife chops. That is the appeal for cilantro: hold a small bunch over a bowl of salsa and snip, and the leaves fall in fine ribbons without being crushed on a board.
The listing says the scissors are dishwasher safe; rinse them first and use the comb, because cut herbs lodge between the blades. Jenaluca describes itself as a US-based brand selling since 2013.
Why we like it
- Five 18/8 stainless steel blades
- Cleaning comb and safety cover included
- Dishwasher safe, per the listing
- Made for right or left hands
Key specifications
| Model | HS-1405 |
|---|---|
| Blades | 5 |
| Blade material | 18/8 stainless steel |
| Cleaning comb/cover | Comb and cover |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
| Handle | Ergonomic, ambidextrous; about 7.5 in overall |
| Weight | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who goes through a bunch of cilantro or chives a day and wants it cut fine, fast and straight over the food.
Skip it if you cut stemmy herbs like rosemary; multi-blade scissors work best on soft leaves.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Complete kit with comb and cover
- Dishwasher safe
- Ambidextrous
Cons
- Herbs lodge between blades
- Weight not stated
2. Westmark 5-Blade Herb Scissors – Comb Included, Dishwasher Safe
Westmark sells its kitchen tools under the Westmark Germany name, and its 5-blade herb scissors are the same basic design as the Jenaluca from a housewares brand rather than a herb-scissors specialist. The listing calls them German engineered and describes stainless steel blades, an ABS plastic handle and a cleaning comb to brush out leftover herbs, and says the scissors are dishwasher safe.
Like every multi-blade design, they work by cutting several strips at once. For chives, scallion tops and cilantro leaves, that gives a fine, even cut with a few snips; for woody stems, use a knife or a pair of snips instead. Westmark’s listing does not mention a blade cover, so store them in a sleeve or a drawer divider.
The listing does not give a size or weight. If you already like Westmark’s tools, this is the choice.
Why we like it
- From a housewares brand, German engineered per the listing
- Five stainless steel blades
- Cleaning comb included
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | 11752280 |
|---|---|
| Blades | 5 |
| Blade material | Stainless steel |
| Cleaning comb/cover | Comb; cover not stated |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
| Handle | ABS plastic |
| Weight | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who wants 5-blade herb scissors from a kitchenware brand that makes a wide range of tools.
Skip it if you want a blade cover in the box; the listing mentions only the comb.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Kitchenware brand
- Comb included
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- No cover mentioned
- Size and weight not stated
3. Cuisinart 8.5-inch Herb Shears – Lifetime Warranty, Full-Size Grip
Cuisinart’s herb shears are the largest multi-blade pair here, at 8.5 inches. The listing describes ultra-sharp stainless steel blades with five blades on each side, soft-grip handles for stability and control, and a blade guard for safe storage. Cuisinart backs them with a lifetime warranty, which is unusual for a herb tool.
The longer handles suit larger hands and give a little more leverage through a thick bunch of cilantro or green onion tops. The listing does not mention a cleaning comb or say whether the shears are dishwasher safe, so plan to rinse them under running water straight after use and clear the blades with a small brush or a toothpick.
Why we like it
- Lifetime warranty
- Five blades on each side
- Soft-grip handles
- Blade guard for storage
Key specifications
| Model | C77-SHRH |
|---|---|
| Blades | 5 on each side |
| Blade material | Stainless steel |
| Cleaning comb/cover | Blade guard; comb not stated |
| Dishwasher-safe | Not stated |
| Handle | Soft grip; 8.5 in overall |
| Weight | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook with larger hands, or anyone who wants a warranty behind an inexpensive tool.
Skip it if you want a cleaning comb included; the listing mentions only the guard.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Lifetime warranty
- Larger, cushioned handles
- Blade guard
Cons
- No comb mentioned
- Dishwasher guidance not stated
4. Shun Herb Shears – Extra-Fine Edge, No Bruising
Shun’s herb shears are two-blade snips made by a Japanese knife maker, and the edge is the point. The listing describes 420J2 stainless steel blades with an extra-fine 16-degree edge designed to cut delicate herbs without bruising them, and a notch for stripping herbs. The blades come apart for cleaning, and the handles are padded with elastomer for comfort.
A fine edge matters for cilantro and basil, which turn dark where they are crushed. Snips also do jobs multi-blade scissors cannot: trimming the stems off a bunch of cilantro in one cut, snipping a single sprig of epazote into a pot of beans, or cutting chives to exact lengths for a garnish. The notch pulls leaves off thyme or oregano stems.
The listing gives a size of 7.5 inches, says Shun’s tools are handcrafted in Japan, and mentions free honing. It does not state a weight or say whether the shears are dishwasher safe; hand washing is the safer choice for a fine edge.
Why we like it
- Extra-fine 16-degree edge
- Herb-stripping notch
- Comes apart for cleaning
- Padded handles
Key specifications
| Model | DM7100 |
|---|---|
| Blades | 2 (snips) |
| Blade material | 420J2 stainless steel |
| Cleaning comb/cover | Neither; blades come apart |
| Dishwasher-safe | Not stated |
| Handle | Padded elastomer; 7.5 in overall |
| Weight | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who wants one fine, precise pair for herbs and garnishes that will last.
Skip it if you want fine ribbons in a few snips; a multi-blade pair is faster for that.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fine edge for delicate herbs
- Stripping notch
- Take-apart cleaning
Cons
- Highest price here
- Care guidance not in listing
5. Mercer Culinary 6.5-inch Herb Snips – Made for Commercial Kitchens
Mercer Culinary sells knives and tools to foodservice kitchens, and its herb snips are built for that work. The listing says they are designed for commercial kitchens to work efficiently with herbs, shellfish and small game birds. One blade has a micro-serrated edge for grip and the other a polished, razor-sharp edge for a smooth cut, and the TPE handle suits right- or left-handed cooks.
The micro-serrated blade is useful on slippery things: it holds a shrimp shell while you cut along the back to devein it, and it keeps chives from sliding as you cut. At 6.5 inches the snips are short and precise.
Mercer is strict about care: wash by hand with warm water and mild soap, rinse and dry completely, and do not put them in the dishwasher or leave them soaking. The listing does not name the steel or state a weight.
Why we like it
- Built for commercial kitchens
- One micro-serrated, one polished blade
- Right- or left-handed use
- Also handles shellfish
Key specifications
| Model | M14808 |
|---|---|
| Blades | 2 (snips) |
| Blade material | Not stated |
| Cleaning comb/cover | Neither |
| Dishwasher-safe | No; hand wash |
| Handle | TPE, ambidextrous; 6.5 in overall |
| Weight | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who wants sturdy, precise snips for herbs and shrimp at a commercial-kitchen price.
Skip it if you need a dishwasher-safe tool; Mercer says hand wash only.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Commercial-kitchen design
- Grippy serrated blade
- Ambidextrous
Cons
- Hand wash only
- Steel not stated
6. X-Chef 5-Blade Herb Scissors – Compact With Comb and Cover
X-Chef’s 5-blade scissors are the smallest multi-blade pair here; the listing gives a size of 5.2 by 2.5 by 0.6 inches. A heavy-duty steel rivet holds the five blades together, and the kit includes a cover that protects the blades and a cleaning comb that clears lingering herbs in a few swipes.
X-Chef says the stainless steel scissors are dishwasher safe and that one set equals ten knife chops, the same claim other makers use for this design. The compact size makes them easy to keep in a drawer by the stove for snipping chives or cilantro over finished plates.
The listing does not name the steel grade, the handle material or the weight. If you want the same features from a maker with more information on its listing, choose the Jenaluca.
Why we like it
- Small, drawer-friendly size
- Comb and cover included
- Dishwasher safe, per the listing
- Riveted pivot
Key specifications
| Model | Not stated |
|---|---|
| Blades | 5 |
| Blade material | Stainless steel |
| Cleaning comb/cover | Comb and cover |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes |
| Handle | Ergonomic; material not stated |
| Weight | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook with little drawer space who wants a full multi-blade kit.
Skip it if you have large hands; small multi-blade scissors can feel cramped.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Compact
- Comb and cover
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Thin listing details
- Small handles
7. OXO Good Grips Multi-Purpose Kitchen Shears and Herb Scissors – Two Tools in One
If you would rather own one pair than two, OXO’s kitchen and herb shears combine a full-size pair of kitchen shears with a herb stripper built into the handle. America’s Test Kitchen recommends them in its kitchen shears review, saying they “did a great job of gripping and cutting all foods,” and its tests included snipping chives and trimming rosemary.
The listing describes stainless steel, micro-serrated blades that cut cardboard, twine, meat and vegetables, cushioning pads on the grip, and blades that separate for cleaning. Pull a sprig of thyme or Mexican oregano through the stripper and the leaves come off the stem; then snip the cilantro straight into the bowl.
ATK measured 3.75 inches of blade and a weight of 4 ounces. Its testers found the blades somewhat wide, the tension hard to work repeatedly and the finger bows too large for some hands.
Why we like it
- Recommended by America’s Test Kitchen
- Herb stripper built into the handle
- Blades come apart
- Also handles chicken and packaging
Key specifications
| Model | 1072121 |
|---|---|
| Blades | 2 (kitchen shears) |
| Blade material | Stainless steel, micro-serrated |
| Cleaning comb/cover | Neither; blades come apart |
| Dishwasher-safe | Not stated |
| Handle | Cushioned grips |
| Weight | 4 oz (ATK) |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who wants one pair of shears for herbs, chicken and everything else.
Skip it if you have small hands; ATK’s testers found the finger bows large.
Pros and cons
Pros
- ATK recommended
- Herb stripper
- Take-apart blades
Cons
- Stiff tension (ATK)
- Not a fine-ribbon cutter
8. Westcott Titanium-Bonded 6.5-inch Herb Shears – Stripper and Precise Tips
Westcott is a scissors brand, and these 6.5-inch kitchen shears for herbs are its take on a small kitchen pair. The listing describes corrosion-resistant, titanium-bonded blades with precision cutting tips, soft handles and a built-in herb stripper.
Westcott markets them for prepping vegetables, cutting poultry and trimming delicate herbs. The pointed tips make them good for small jobs: snipping a few chive stems, trimming the root ends off green onions or cutting cilantro leaves away from the thick lower stems.
Care is simple: wash with warm water and mild detergent, rinse and dry, according to the listing, which does not say they are dishwasher safe. The blades do not come apart, and the listing does not give a weight.
Why we like it
- Titanium-bonded, corrosion-resistant blades
- Built-in herb stripper
- Precision tips
- Soft handles
Key specifications
| Model | 00829 |
|---|---|
| Blades | 2 (snips) |
| Blade material | Titanium-bonded steel |
| Cleaning comb/cover | Neither |
| Dishwasher-safe | Not stated; hand wash |
| Handle | Soft; 6.5 in overall |
| Weight | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who wants a small, light pair with a stripper for herbs and garnishes.
Skip it if you want take-apart blades for cleaning after raw poultry.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Herb stripper
- Precise tips
- Corrosion-resistant blades
Cons
- Does not come apart
- No independent review found
How to choose herb scissors for a Mexican kitchen
- Multi-blade or snips. Multi-blade scissors cut fine ribbons fast, and they are best on soft, leafy herbs like cilantro, chives, basil and green onion tops. Two-blade snips are slower for fine cutting but handle stems, single sprigs, shrimp and garnishes, and they are easier to clean.
- Cleaning. The main drawback of multi-blade scissors is herbs caught between the blades. The food writer behind Cookistry, reviewing a 5-blade pair, found “some sticking,” though new cuts pushed the herbs through, and the plastic comb scraped out the rest. Choose a pair that comes with a comb, or snips that come apart.
- A cover. Five sharp blades are easy to grab by mistake in a drawer. A cover or guard protects your fingers and the edges.
- Dishwasher guidance. Several multi-blade pairs here are dishwasher safe according to their makers; Mercer’s snips are hand wash only. Check before you buy if it matters to you.
- A herb stripper. A notch or hole for pulling leaves off woody stems speeds up thyme and oregano. The Shun, OXO and Westcott have one.
- Handle size. Larger handles, like Cuisinart’s 8.5-inch pair, suit bigger hands; compact pairs like the X-Chef suit small drawers and small hands.
How we picked these eight herb scissors
No major independent reviewer we could find has published a comparison of herb scissors, so we relied on what the makers and listings state, plus America’s Test Kitchen’s kitchen shears review for the OXO pair, and one independent write-up of a 5-blade pair on the Cookistry review blog for how the design behaves. We did not test these scissors ourselves, and Julia’s does not claim to use any of them.
We chose identifiable makers, a mix of multi-blade scissors and two-blade snips, and checked every pick was in stock on Amazon. We left out the many near-identical 5-blade scissors sold under unfamiliar brand names, multipacks, and listings whose photos looked like renders. Chef’n’s herb and greens scissors were unavailable when we checked, and MAC’s herb snips had limited stock.
Cutting cilantro, chives and green onions
- Cilantro for salsa or tacos. Cut it last, right over the bowl or plate. Our Mexican herbs explained guide notes that cilantro goes on at the end and that the stems carry more flavor than the leaves; snip the tender upper stems in with the leaves.
- Chives and green onion tops. Line up a few stems and snip across them with multi-blade scissors for even, fine rings to scatter over frijoles or tacos.
- Epazote and other sprigs. A single sprig going into a pot of beans needs only a pair of snips, not five blades.
- Big batches. For a full bowl of pico de gallo, a sharp knife on a board is still faster. Our best chef knife and best cutting board guides cover that setup.
Herb scissors questions, answered
Do herb scissors actually work?
For soft herbs, yes. The Cookistry reviewer found a 5-blade pair “work really well” for chives, basil and similar herbs, while also calling it “totally not a necessary tool.” They save time and bruising on cilantro and chives; for woody herbs like thyme, a stripper does more than the blades.
What are the best kitchen herb scissors for cilantro?
A 5-blade pair with a comb, like the Jenaluca or Westmark, for fine ribbons over salsa and tacos. If you prefer clean, precise cuts with no fuss cleaning, the Shun Herb Shears.
How do I clean 5-blade herb scissors?
Rinse them under running water right after use, then run the comb between the blades to push out trapped herbs. Several pairs are dishwasher safe according to their makers, but rinse and comb them first.
Is there a herb scissors review from a major test kitchen?
We could not find one. America’s Test Kitchen’s kitchen shears review includes chives and rosemary among its tests and recommends the OXO kitchen and herb shears, but it does not cover multi-blade herb scissors.
Can I use regular kitchen shears for herbs?
Yes. Any sharp pair cuts herbs; multi-blade scissors just cut them finer and faster. See our best knife set guide for sets that include a pair of shears.
Our final pick for snipping herbs
Buy the Jenaluca 5-Blade Herb Scissors for fine, fast cilantro and chives with a comb and cover in the box. Choose the Westmark if you prefer a housewares brand, the Cuisinart for a lifetime warranty, the Shun Herb Shears for a fine edge and precise snipping, and the Mercer snips for commercial-kitchen toughness.
For bigger jobs like spatchcocking a chicken or trimming tortillas, see our guide to the best kitchen shears.
Related guide: Best herb keeper.
Herb scissors are one small part of a working kitchen; our Mexican cooking tools guide covers the rest. And when you would rather someone else chopped the cilantro, see the menu or call to order.