Survival scissors are a must-have item on your survival gear list and kit. Being able to quickly pull out and deploy your pair of survival scissors to cut through hard material when improvising a shelter in the woods or cut through your car’s seat belt during an emergency is something a prepper needs to be ready for. Since not every bladed tool can get the job done, having a pair of survival scissors could be your survival-cutting insurance.
The best survival scissors have sturdy blades made of strong and durable materials like the 420HC stainless steel. They can be fluoride or titanium-coated for non-stick cutting and have comfortable and large enough handles. They also have an angle-blade and blunt tip for safety and efficiency.
The survival scissors market has you extremely spoiled for choice. As a result, you could be stuck wondering which among the available survival-scissors options is best for your prepping.
Not to worry! This article will review for you the top 5 best survival scissors chosen for their efficiency and user satisfaction. What’s more, we’ll also give you a bonus list at the end of the article so you can really be ‘spoiled for choice’.
First though, here’s a list of everything we’ll be telling you about apart from reviewing the best survival scissors.
- Why Preppers Need Survival Shears.
- Best Trauma Shears for the Bug out Bag.
- Good EMT Shears - Useful Qualities for Preppers.
- How Preppers Can Use Emergency Scissors.
- What Can Trauma Shears Cut?
- Can You Sharpen Trauma Shears?
- How Do You Clean Trauma Shears?
In a hurry? If you just want to get to our conclusions, here are our top picks and recommendations!
Last update on 2024-04-10 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Why Preppers Need Survival Shears
Creators of survival shears have EMTs in mind when they make them. These emergency professionals need to remain calm in the midst of emergencies, and having the right tool in hand does play a vital role.
So, why would preppers need shears meant for medical technicians? We tell you 5 reasons why.
Survival shears are efficient and precise at cutting
Especially when compared to knives, a good pair of survival shears will cut more efficiently and precisely.
Consider a situation where you are entangled in a climbing rope and an adventure colleague is trying to free you. A single cut with shears will rescue you quickly and without the struggle of passing a knife a hundred times through the rope.
Survival shears are a safer cutting and packing option
Just for the mere fact that the sharp edges of the blades point inwards towards each other and interlock when the shears are not in use, shears are a safer option for cutting and packing. The chances of cutting yourself while using them are a lot less.
Also, whichever way you use your shears, they are always pointing away from you, which is a safety precaution on the inventor’s part.
Survival shears are TSA-compliant and less regulated
When it comes to carrying survival shears, you don’t have to worry about raising the eyebrows of the public as you would if you carried a knife in a get home bag.
Also, as long as the blades are not more than 4ʺ long, you can bring them in your carry-on bag aboard a plane and not have issues with the TSA agents.
Survival shears are a one-hand tool
If for any reason you can’t use both hands during an emergency, a prepper’s shears are still an efficient tool when used on one hand. You don’t need two hands to control cutting with a pair of shears. They are made to firmly hold whatever you are cutting and you’ll still do it with the same precision as when your other hand was free.
Survival shears are a non-lethal defense tool for preppers
During an emergency where you need to defend yourself from an assailant without risking killing them, a pair of shears can deal a maiming stab but leave the attacker alive and kicking, thus saving yourself from legal proceedings.
Best Trauma Shears for the Bug Out Bag
If you have tried buying trauma shears for your bug out bag, you probably have come across the Leatherman Raptor Shears. The 6-in-one shears are known for their extreme cutting power, their inventive folding design, and for helping you to carry just a single tool with six different functions.
You can read our comprehensive review of the Leatherman Raptor Shears for more info. But the Raptor is not the only good trauma shear in the market. Besides, a lot of people find it to be way beyond their budget as it is at least 8-10 times pricier than the alternatives.
Last update on 2024-04-10 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you would want the efficiency of the Leatherman Raptor but find it to be beyond your budget, here are 5 other equally efficient trauma shears for your bug out bag.
Best Survival Scissors Overall: Madison Supply - Medical Scissors
The Madison EMT and Trauma Shears are premium quality shears that are created to cut soft and tough material efficiently and safely. The 7.5ʺ shears are coated with fluoride and have non-stick blades, which makes them run through the item being cut with ease.
The blades are made of Japanese surgical-grade stainless steel and the large injection-molded handles make them extremely steady in any size of a hand.
You can easily clip the shears to your waist belt or drop them in your pocket when not in use without the fear of hurting yourself and others or ruining your clothing as the blade tips are created blunt.
Last update on 2024-04-10 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Why you should choose the Madison EMT and Trauma Shears
- Their standard length (not too short, not too long) makes them an optimal option for cutting a wide range of materials.
- The shears are steady, sharp, and offer value for a reasonable price.
Why you may not choose the Madison EMT and Trauma Shears
- If you are looking for shears that are also a multi-tool, the Madison EMT may not suit your needs.
- The blades are serrated, which could cause the shears to slide over light material like bandages. But they are excellent for the tough stuff.
Best Budget Trauma Shears: Ever Ready Titanium Bonded Bandage Shears
The Ever Ready shears may seem cheap and weak at first glance. But don’t judge them by their look. First, they are quite affordable and will give you value for your money, and with their titanium bonding, they’ll last you a lifetime.
Then, their 7.25ʺ is a good shear length, allowing you to easily cut any material with their stronger-than-steel titanium blades. They also have a blunt tip for safety and will easily cut through gauze, bandage, clothing, and tape among others.
You have no choice for color, but black has a universal appeal.
Last update on 2024-04-10 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Why you should choose the Ever Ready Titanium Bonded Bandage Shears
Why you may not choose the Ever Ready Titanium Bonded Bandage Shears
- The titanium-bonded description may not be real after all.
Best sturdy trauma shears: Surviveware Trauma & Bandage Shears
The Surviveware trauma shears are among the highly trusted option among EMT professionals. With their extreme cutting power, you can use them to effortlessly slice clothing, bandages, leather, splints, denim, pennies, and seat belts should you be stuck in your car.
The blunt tip protects the skin when you use it to cut clothing on another person, plus it keeps you from accidentally hurting yourself with the shears.
The blades are made of Japanese stainless steel and coated with fluoride. The blade material, together with the milled serration on the blades, makes cutting through any stuff effortless. The ergonomic handle adds to the shears’ comfort while cutting.
Last update on 2024-04-10 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Why you should choose the Surviveware Trauma & Bandage Shears
- Strong cutting power – Sharp enough to cut through metal.
Why you may not choose the Surviveware Trauma & Bandage Shears
- They would be perfect as a multi-tool, but they are not.
Best for home prepping trauma shears: Prestige Medical Fluoride Scissor
Another of the affordable trauma shears in the market, the Prestige Medical Fluoride Scissors come with extra strength from its 420HC blades.
The non-stick fluoride coating allows you to cut any material swiftly. But the non-serrated blades may be best for lighter materials like bandages rather than strong leather and metal stuff, which is why we’ve qualified them as best for home prepping.
The 7.5ʺ length is perfect and the wide handles will be comfortable for any finger size.
Last update on 2024-04-10 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Why you should choose the Prestige Medical Fluoride Scissor
- Affordable.
- Non-stick.
- Large handle.
Why you may not choose the Prestige Medical Fluoride Scissor
- Quite simple and not the strongest for a prepper’s shears.
Best performance trauma shears: XSHEAR Extreme Duty Trauma Shears
If you are looking for the toughest and most durable medical scissors, then the XSHEAR is your best bet. You’ll pay a bit more for this pair than those reviewed so far, but its features are worth the cost.
The stainless steel blades are thicker than the standard shear and great for heavy-duty cutting: ropes, tough clothing, and seat belts among others. With a blunt tip, you can use them and carry them safely and the soft handles make them extremely comfortable to your fingers.
You have a 3-month satisfaction guarantee and a 5-year warranty if you choose the XSHEAR.
Last update on 2024-04-10 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Why you should choose the XSHEAR Extreme Duty Trauma Shears
- Extremely strong construction and durable.
- Aesthetically appealing.
Why you may not choose the XSHEAR Extreme Duty Trauma Shears
- Strong cutting power but not multifunctional.
Good EMT Shears - Useful Qualities for Preppers
As you have guessed from the reviewed options, not all trauma shears are made equal. Nevertheless, whichever option you go for, your shears should have the qualities of good EMT shears for preppers as discussed here.
Good trauma shears are durable
If you are going for a good pair of EMT shears, you are most likely paying a little more than you would for the cheaper disposable type. This also means that you are negotiating price and durability: pay a little more, have them for longer.
Durability is usually about the material used to make or reinforce the blade and handles. Here are some examples of durable trauma shears blade-material, some of which have been mentioned in the reviewed options:
- 420HC stainless steel (for extra-strong and non-corroding blades).
- Surgical steel including common types like martensitic SAE 440 and martensitic SAE 420 which are extremely high-quality stainless steel with greater resistance to rust and sterilization processes.
- Coated steel which gives trauma shears better performance. It could be fluoride coating or titanium coating among others.
Good trauma shears have an angle blade
The blades of trauma shears are made with a sharp angle of about 150°. This enhances the efficiency of the shears because the user can deploy them more quickly and easily without needing to apply extra force. An angle-blade also renders your shears multi-purpose.
Good trauma shears have a blunt-tip
The blunt tip on trauma shears is intended to protect the skin of a patient when the shears are used to cut clothing or remove bandages.
For a prepper, a blunt tip on shears will keep them from hurting you. The dull tip also makes the shears safer to carry in a bag or when hanging them on your neck or hand with a lanyard.
Good trauma shears have a comfortable handle
If you have to treat your fingers after using your trauma shears, then the handle is no good. A good trauma-shears handle is not just made to last, but it’s also created to feel comfortable on your fingers when you use the tool.
Some of the durable and comfortable trauma shears handles are made of glass-filled nylon as in the case of the Leatherman Raptor shears or autoclave-resistant plastic as in the case of the Xshear Extreme Duty Trauma Shears.
Good trauma shears have a sturdy center bolt
The strength of the bolt that keeps the two blades of your shears together determines, to a greater extent, how tough your shears can cut and how long they’ll last.
Good trauma shears have an extended warranty
Especially when buying high-value trauma shears, you will want the manufacturer’s guarantee that you can use them for long. Luckily, most trauma shears manufacturers do this as a way of vouching for the quality of the product. Some will even give up to 25 years or even a lifetime warranty.
As a prepper, you sure want a pair of trauma shears you can send for a replacement if the center bolt snaps after cutting some paracord as a result of manufacture defects. So, an extended warranty is a plus.
Good trauma shears come with carry options
Whether you are using your trauma shears or have them on you as an emergency preparedness tool, you should be able to carry them comfortably and safely.
Most trauma shears will come with one or two carry options. This could include a MOLLE-compatible pouch, Kydex sheaths, or built-in clips that allow you to hook the shears to your waist belt or pocket. Built-in lanyard holes are also an option for hanging your shears on your neck or backpack.
How Preppers Can Use Emergency Scissors
Because of their strength and efficiency features, emergency scissors come in handy for any prepper and can serve several purposes. So, if you have a pair in your bug out bag or survival kit, you know that it can do more than the home-shear function of cutting wound wrappers.
Whether you need your scissors in an emergency situation or for ordinary survival tasks while hiking or on an off-grid escapade, your EMT shears will serve for the following uses:
- Cut a range of soft and hard items and materials as we tell you in the next section.
- Serve as a self-defense tool that can stab to maim an animal or human attacker, especially when they catch you unawares and your emergency scissors are at a quick reach.
- Strike a Ferro rod at the back of your shears blade to light a survival fire when you are in the woods and have no other means of getting your fire started.
- Cut twigs, grass, and average size sticks to start and sustain a fire when you are in the woods.
- Skin and chop your game while hiking or during a longer stay in the woods.
- If you have no other appropriate tool, emergency scissors can be used for foraging food while in the wild which could include picking and peeling fruit or digging out edible roots.
- Free yourself should you be trapped in a hunter’s or survivalist’s trap while in the wild.
- Break open a car screen should you find yourself trapped during an emergency.
Note that a lot of survivalists, fishermen, scuba divers, and soldiers use emergency shears as a safer alternative to knives.
What Can Trauma Shears Cut?
Manufacturers will often give you a list of things that trauma shears can cut. Generally though, there are some universal things most trauma shears will cut given that they are all made with the intent of resisting the pressure of cutting through tough material.
- Generally, trauma shears are made to cut a patient’s clothing or bandage if removing them normally would cause extreme pain or additional damage.
- For preppers, trauma shears can cut soft and tough materials depending on the shears’ strength. These include but are not limited to:
- Snare wire/steel wire for fishing
Can You Sharpen Trauma Shears?
Yes, you can sharpen trauma shears. If your trauma shears are used consistently, they will eventually dull and require sharpening. You have different options for sharpening your shears.
If the blades of your shears are just slightly dulled or need realigning, a honing rod will be enough to get it back to its cutting power.
But, if your shears are extremely blunt, the best thing to do is use a sharpening stone. Some people will advise you to take your shears apart to sharpen them. But you should desist from doing so if you can manage without having to take them apart or if the shear’s center bolt isn’t easy to screw back.
To sharpen your trauma shears on a sharpening stone:
- Wet the stone with water and place the stone on a secure surface (you can use a small towel to keep the stone firm.
- Open the shear blades and hold the handle on one side while pushing the other side of the hand with the thumb to keep it open. If your shears are a locking design, you can open one blade at a time if the design allows it.
- Place the sharp side of the first blade flat on the stone and gently move it over the length of the stone. You should always move the blade from the beak to the tip.
- You can use the courser side of the stone first then refine the edge on the finer side
- Repeat the same with the second blade.
How Do You Clean Trauma Shears?
Keeping your trauma shears clean is part of good maintenance practice that will prolong their life. How you clean them will depend on their make and material.
We’ll assume here that you have bought yourself a good stainless steel and non-corroding pair. So, here’s a range of methods you can choose to clean your trauma shears depending on the type of dirt as proposed by Leatherman.
- Dust or sticky stuff between blades – use a mild solution of water and detergent.
- Stain marks of shears blades surface – rub the stains gently with a polishing cloth.
- Moisture in the joints – use a low viscosity oil like the WD-40 water-displacing spray or the CRC 3-36 lubricant.
- Twisting or wearing areas – use a Teflon-based lubricant to enhance wear protection.
- Tar or other similar substances – use turpentine or an alternative mineral spirit.
Shears cleaning tip: When cleaning your trauma shears, avoid acetone and brake cleaners as they will damage any plastic parts on your shears. Also, whenever you clean your shears, dry and lubricate to preempt corrosion.
Best Survival Scissors: Conclusion and Additional Recommendations from Amazon
The survival scissors market is saturated. While that is good in keeping prices controlled, not all the options in the market are equal. You’ll pay a little more for multi-tool scissors like Leatherman Raptor and a lot less for simpler ones like the Ever Ready Titanium Shears.
Whichever pair of survival scissors your budget allows you to get, you should consider the best survival scissors qualities like durability, angle-blades, blunt tips, and an extended warranty among others.
We’ve reviewed for you the top 5 best survival shears. But, if for some reason you didn’t find a preferred option from our top picks, here are some additional recommendations from Amazon based on customer reviews.
Key Specs:
Material - 420 HC stainless steel
Size - 7.5 x 0.25 x 3.5 inches
Weight - 2.4oz
What it will cut - gauze bandages, sutures, and surgical tape.
Last update on 2024-04-10 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Key Specs:
Material - stainless steel
Size - 7.5 x 4 x 0.55 inches
Weight - 4.97oz
What it will cut - rope, clothes, denim, polyester, bandages, leather, Jeans, car seat belts, and other hard surfaces.
Last update on 2024-04-10 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Key Specs:
Material - stainless steel
Size - 5 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
Weight - 1.6oz
What it will cut - clothes, belt (short blades so quite limited).
Last update on 2024-04-10 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Key Specs:
Material – 420 stainless steel
Size - 5.5 x 2.5 x 0.25 inches
Weight - 0.8oz
What it will cut – “Strong enough to cut through a penny”
Last update on 2024-04-10 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Key Specs:
Material - stainless steel
Size - 5.6 x 5.6 x 0.4 inches
Weight - 2.4oz
What it will cut – “cuts through the toughest materials”
Last update on 2024-04-09 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
