Name/Title
Keen Kutter ManufacturingEntry/Object ID
2026.8.1Tags
scissors, shears, keen kutter, 1900sDescription
From the 1912 E. C. Simmons Keen Kutter Catalogue comes the following description of their manufacturing process for scissors and shears:
"Keen Kutter Scissors are Hand Hammered from a Solid Bar of Highest Grade Crucible Cutlery Steel, Thoroughly Hardened and Tempered. They are renowned for their Perfection in every particular. The Greatest Possible Care is given to each process of their manufacture. As an illustration, each Screw is Hand Made for the particular Pair of Scissors to which it belongs. Special Attention is paid to the fitting of the Scissors as a result of which we Guarantee Every Pair to cut perfectly at the Extreme Points of the Blades - a particular in which many so-called first-class Scissors are deficient.
"We carry a complete stock of all Shapes and Sizes, including Embroidery, Ladies', Pocket, Nail, Manicure, Buttonhole and Barbers'.
"The Keen Kutter Shears are "Steel Laid" Shears, manufactured by welding a Bar of Highest Grade Crucible Steel to a Malleable Iron Base, moulded in the Rough Shape of a Shear Blade. This combination produces a Shear much less liable to break than the solid Steel Shear, and yet with fully as High Cutting Qualities which will be retained as long as any part of the blade remains. These Shears are fitted also with the Strauss Patent Bolt and Nut, the Bolt having two threads one for the Blade of the Shear being cut in one direction, and one for the Nut in the other direction. This combination Absolutely Prevents the Nut working loose on the blade of the Shear, a tendency very common and very annoying on other brands. The greatest care is taken to see that the Blades are correctly fitted so that each pair will cut satisfactorily to the Extreme Points of the Blades.
"The line includes both full Nickel Plated and Japanned Bows, both Straight and Bent Patterns of ordinary Trimmers, Bankers', Barbers' and Tailors' Shears."Created By
studygroup@scissornet.orgCreate Date
January 14, 2026Updated By
studygroup@scissornet.orgUpdate Date
January 14, 2026