Eli5: Why is it almost impossible to use scissors with your less dexterous hand, especially for cutting items such as plastics and rubber?

Question

Eli5: Why is it almost impossible to use scissors with your less dexterous hand, especially for cutting items such as plastics and rubber?

In: 687

Answer 1

When you use right handed scissors with your right hand, there’s a torsional force you put on the handles while you squeeze. This actually forces the shears together, closing any gap between them.

That’s why scissors will usually still work even if they’re loose.

When you use them left handed, the force actually spreads the shears apart, creating a bigger gap between them, which fails to cut and instead just twists the material.