Best Poultry Shears for Cutting Through Turkey Joints: 7 Picks

The best poultry shears for cutting through turkey joints are spring-loaded, heavy-duty shears with a locking handle and a micro-serrated or notched blade, and the OXO Good Grips Spring-Loaded Poultry Shears are our top pick for most home cooks. The LIBERHAUS 9.4 inch serrated shears are the runner-up for gripping slippery joints at a lower tier. Both open on their own after each cut, which matters when you are spatchcocking a 14-pound bird and snipping through the backbone, rib joints and wing joints one after another.

Shears do three jobs well on a turkey: remove the backbone for spatchcocking, split the breast, and disjoint wings and thighs after roasting. They also help in meal prep all year: breaking down whole chickens, trimming fat and cutting through packaged proteins. That year-round use is why a good pair earns a drawer spot beyond Thanksgiving.

TooWoom Poultry Shears, Heavy Duty Kitchen Scissors for Chicken & Turkey | Ultra-sharp blades cut through poultry joints and make spatchcocking easier; dishwasher-safe for quick, convenient cleanup

Chosen because it specifies Heavy Duty Kitchen Scissors for Chicken & Turkey and convenient cleanup.

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Poultry Shears Heavy Duty, Stainless Steel, 9.4 In, Safety Lock | Spring-Loaded Bone Cutting Scissors with Serrated Edge that Grips Joints; Turkey, Poultry & Chicken Shears for Spatchcocking

Chosen because it specifies Stainless Steel and 9.4 In.

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Heavy Duty Poultry Shears, Better Control for Chicken & Turkey Prep | 3.5mm 420J2 blades with a 304 spring, heavy-duty poultry shears for joints, backbones and turkey prep, dishwasher safe

Chosen because it specifies Better Control for Chicken & Turkey Prep and 3.5mm 420J2 blades with a 304 spring.

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This guide is research-based. We did not personally use these shears; we compared maker listings, stated lengths and features, and published equipment guidance. Where a spec is not listed, we say so. Cutting turkey bones is hard on any scissors, so follow the maker instructions and keep fingers clear of the blades.

Top Picks at a Glance

• Best Overall: OXO Good Grips Spring-Loaded Poultry Shears (heavy duty, locking handle)
• Best Value Serrated: LIBERHAUS Poultry Shears, 9.4 in (serrated edge, safety lock)
• Best Spring-Loaded Mid-Range: MAD SHARK Heavy Duty Poultry Shears (non-slip handle, safety lock, dishwasher safe)
• Best Premium Brand Name: HENCKELS Kitchen Shears for Poultry (heavy duty stainless steel, dishwasher safe)
• Best Anti-Slip Handle: SimCoker Heavy Duty Poultry Shears (anti-slip handle, safety lock)
• Best Holiday-Themed Value: DRAGON RIOT Heavy Duty Poultry Shears (stainless, dishwasher safe)
• Best Serrated Spring-Loaded: Dream Reach Heavy Duty Poultry Shears (serrated)

Quick Comparison Table

What Makes Shears Good at Turkey Joints

A turkey is a larger, tougher job than a chicken. The backbone of a 12 to 16 pound bird is thick, the rib bones are stiff, and the joints sit in slippery connective tissue. Four features decide whether shears cope.

• Leverage: long handles and a pivot set close to the blades give more cutting force. Spring-loaded designs open the blades automatically so you can cut with one hand and reposition quickly.
• Blade edge: a micro-serrated or notched edge grips slick bone and cartilage so the blade does not slip off. Straight edges are cleaner on skin and herbs.
• Lock: a safety lock keeps the blades closed in the drawer. Choose one you can operate with one hand.
• Handle grip: raw poultry is slippery. A rubber or textured handle gives control when your hands are wet.

1. OXO Good Grips Spring-Loaded Poultry Shears: Best Overall

• Design: spring-loaded handle with a lock
• Rating: heavy duty, for chicken and meat
• Handle: Good Grips non-slip style (maker line)
• Length and blade size: not listed in the title

Best for: a home cook who wants one pair that can handle turkey, chicken and general kitchen tasks. Skip if: you need a fully serrated edge for every cut.

OXO builds its reputation on comfortable tools, and the poultry shears follow that approach. The spring opens the blades after each cut, so removing a turkey backbone feels like a series of quick snips. The locking handle holds the blades closed in a drawer. For a first-time spatchcocker, the benefit is predictability: you place the blade at the side of the backbone, squeeze and repeat. Expect to snip through the thinner ribs easily, and for the thicker joints near the tail to need a firmer squeeze.

As with any shears, dishwasher washing can dull the pivot over years; hand wash if the maker recommends it, dry the blades and put a drop of food-safe oil on the pivot occasionally. We cannot confirm the metal grade from the listing.

Pros: spring-loaded; lock; comfortable handles; trusted brand. Cons: blade size not in the title; mid-range cost.

2. LIBERHAUS Poultry Shears, 9.4 in: Best Value Serrated

• Length: 9.4 inches
• Material: stainless steel
• Blade: serrated edge that grips joints
• Design: spring-loaded with safety lock
• Uses: turkey, poultry, chicken, spatchcocking

Best for: cooks who want the grip of a serrated edge at a lower tier. Skip if: you prefer a well-known cutlery brand.

A serrated edge helps on turkey because bone and cartilage are slick. The 9.4 inch length gives enough leverage for a spatchcock job without being unwieldy in a standard drawer. The listing names turkey and spatchcocking explicitly, which matches the job in this guide. As with all budget shears, the real test is whether the pivot stays tight after repeated use, which we cannot judge from a listing.

Pros: serrated; specified length; lock; low cost. Cons: lesser-known brand; long-term durability unknown.

3. MAD SHARK Heavy Duty Poultry Shears: Best Spring-Loaded Mid-Range

• Design: spring-loaded, with a safety lock
• Handle: non-slip
• Care: dishwasher safe per the listing
• Uses: chicken, meat, turkey, fish and vegetables

Best for: general heavy-duty use. Skip if: you want a documented length.

MAD SHARK sells several similar listings, including a version described as butterfly meat scissors. The one here is a straightforward heavy-duty pair with a lock and a non-slip handle. It is a good fit for people who want a robust all-purpose cutter that also snips herbs and packaging. Check the listing for the exact blade length before buying.

Pros: non-slip handle; lock; dishwasher safe; versatile. Cons: several near-identical variants; length not in the title.

4. HENCKELS Kitchen Shears for Poultry: Best Premium Brand Name

• Material: stainless steel
• Rating: heavy duty; dishwasher safe
• Listing detail: refers to a 4-inch blade

Best for: cooks who prefer a well-known cutlery brand. Skip if: you want a spring-loaded design (not stated in the title).

Henckels is a long-established knife maker, and its poultry shears bring that quality to a simpler design. A 4-inch blade is shorter than the cutting edge on some budget shears, so this pair suits chicken and turkey parts more than a whole-bird backbone cut. For a 20-pound turkey, a longer spring-loaded pair may be easier on the hand. For a roast chicken and a Thanksgiving bird alike, the brand reputation and dishwasher-safe construction are the draw.

Pros: established brand; stainless steel; dishwasher safe. Cons: spring-loaded not stated; short blade; premium cost.

5. SimCoker Heavy Duty Poultry Shears: Best Anti-Slip Handle

• Handle: anti-slip with a safety lock
• Design: spring loaded, dishwasher safe
• Uses: meat, chicken, bone, turkey, fish

Best for: cooks with wet or greasy hands. Skip if: you want a name brand.

Anti-slip handles are more than a convenience when raw poultry is on the counter. They stop the shears from rotating in your palm when you apply force. The listing mentions bone cutting and turkey. Pair it with a cut-resistant glove if you tend to slip.

Pros: anti-slip handle; lock; spring loaded; dishwasher safe. Cons: limited brand history; length not in the title.

6. DRAGON RIOT Heavy Duty Poultry Shears: Best Holiday-Themed Value

• Material: stainless
• Care: dishwasher safe
• Marketing: for chicken, meat and Thanksgiving

Best for: an inexpensive holiday-specific purchase. Skip if: you want spring-loaded details confirmed.

The listing positions this pair for chicken and meat with a nod to Thanksgiving. The title does not state a spring or lock, so confirm those on the full page. It is a reasonable budget choice if you only carve a bird once a year, but we would not rank it above the spring-loaded picks for heavy use.

Pros: stainless; dishwasher safe; low cost. Cons: spring and lock not in the title; limited detail.

7. Dream Reach Heavy Duty Poultry Shears: Best Serrated Spring-Loaded

• Blade: serrated
• Design: spring loaded, heavy duty
• Other specs: not listed in the title

Best for: a no-frills serrated pair. Skip if: you want a documented length and handle material.

A serrated spring-loaded design is the right combination for turkey joints, and this listing offers it with minimal detail. Treat it as a candidate and read the full product page for length, lock and materials before buying.

Pros: serrated; spring loaded. Cons: few specs listed; brand history unknown.

Also Consider

• SLEMOON 2-Piece Heavy Duty Poultry Shears (Burgundy): a two-piece set for a household that wants a spare.
• Gerior Heavy-Duty Poultry Shears: spring-loaded with a lock, positioned for spatchcock chicken and turkey.
• KitchenAid All Purpose Kitchen Shears (8.72 in): an everyday shear with a sheath, better for herbs and packaging than turkey bones.
• Gerber Vital Take-Apart Poultry Shears: serrated, 5.5 inch blades, and a take-apart design for cleaning.

How We Chose

We shortlisted real, currently sold poultry shears from the site product store, capped each brand at one pick, and compared the stated length, blade edge, lock, handle and care statements in the listings. We read cutlery and spatchcocking guidance from independent kitchen publications. We did not personally use these shears and we do not quote prices; tier words are relative. Anything not in the listing is marked not listed.

Buying Guide

Length and leverage

Look for overall length of about 9 to 10 inches. Longer handles increase leverage; shorter shears are easier to store. Blades of about 3 to 4 inches are enough for joints, but you will want the pivot close to the blades for leverage.

Serrated or straight

Serrated edges grip bone and joints, but are harder to sharpen and can snag skin. Straight edges are cleaner but may slip on slick bone. For turkey, serrated or micro-serrated is the safer choice.

Spring and lock

A spring opens the blades after each cut, saving hand strain over many snips. A one-handed lock keeps them closed. Test the lock with one hand if you can.

Detachable or fixed

Take-apart shears (like the Gerber and some SLEMOON versions) clean better because the pivot opens. Fixed shears are simpler and sturdier. For raw poultry hygiene, being able to open the pivot is a real benefit.

Dishwasher or hand wash

Dishwasher-safe is convenient, but hand washing extends life. After cutting raw poultry, wash in hot soapy water or the dishwasher straight away to prevent cross-contamination.

How to Cut a Turkey with Shears

1. Dry the bird and set it breast side down on a large board with a damp towel under it for stability.
2. Cut along one side of the backbone from the tail to the neck, then the other side, removing the backbone.
3. Flip the bird and press firmly on the breast bone to flatten it for a spatchcocked roast.
4. After roasting and resting, use the shears to cut through the joint between thigh and drumstick and to separate wings.
5. Wash the shears, the board and your hands in hot soapy water.

Always follow USDA guidance that a whole turkey must reach 165 F in the thigh, wing and breast, and keep raw poultry away from ready-to-eat food.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can kitchen shears cut through turkey bones?

Heavy-duty poultry shears can cut through the thinner rib bones and joints of a turkey. Thick leg bones may be too much, so use a knife or cleaver at the joint.

What is the difference between poultry shears and kitchen scissors?

Poultry Shears Heavy DutyCheck on Amazon

Poultry shears are heavier, with stronger blades, leverage and often a spring and lock. Kitchen scissors are lighter and better for herbs and packaging.

Do I need serrated poultry shears?

A serrated edge grips slick bone and cartilage, which helps with turkey. Straight blades work for chicken and are easier to keep sharp.

Are poultry shears dishwasher safe?

Many are, including the MAD SHARK, SimCoker, DRAGON RIOT and HENCKELS per their listings. Check each listing and dry them after washing to protect the pivot.

How do I spatchcock a turkey with shears?

Remove the backbone by cutting along both sides, then flatten the bird by pressing on the breastbone. Roast on a rack for even cooking.

How do I keep shears sharp?

Wash and dry after each use and avoid cutting hard bones. Serrated edges may need professional sharpening. Straight edges can be honed or sharpened with a suitable tool.

Are poultry shears safe to use?

They are sharp tools. Cut away from your body, keep fingers clear of the blades and lock them when not in use.

Which One Should You Buy?

Buy the OXO Good Grips Spring-Loaded Poultry Shears if you want the safest all-round choice. Choose the LIBERHAUS 9.4 inch for a serrated edge at a lower tier, or the MAD SHARK and SimCoker for strong features at a mid-range or budget tier. The HENCKELS suits cooks who prefer a premium brand, and the Dream Reach and DRAGON RIOT are budget options to check before buying. Keep a pair near your cutting board all year, not only in November.

Sources

• OXO, LIBERHAUS, MAD SHARK, HENCKELS, SimCoker, DRAGON RIOT and Dream Reach product listings
• USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, Turkey from Farm to Table
• Independent kitchen publications on spatchcocking and poultry shears

Last updated: October 2026