Black & Decker Scissors multi-pack (5.5 in., 6.5 in., 8.5 in.)

Why I picked up this three-pack

I keep scissors scattered around my shop, kitchen, and office because the right pair within reach saves time. The Black & Decker three-pack—5.5 in., 6.5 in., and 8.5 in.—promised to cover most day-to-day cutting without fuss. After several weeks of regular use across paper projects, light packaging, craft materials, and a few fabric jobs, I’ve formed a clear picture of where this set shines and where it doesn’t.

Design and build

All three pairs share the same fundamentals: stainless-steel blades and bi-material handles. The blades are straight, not serrated, with a clean factory grind that arrived sharp and even tip-to-heel alignment on my samples. The handles are a soft-over-hard construction that provides a bit of give without feeling squishy, and they’re shaped to work for smaller and medium hands without creating hot spots. The colorway is minimalist (white handles), which I like in a shop drawer, though white shows scuffs sooner than darker options.

Each pair feels light, and the action was smooth out of the box—no gritty spots or blade interference. There’s just enough tension to keep the blades tracking without splaying under load, which is exactly what you want for household and craft work.

Cutting performance

• Paper and cardstock: Excellent. The 5.5 and 6.5 in. sizes glide through printer paper, labels, and cardstock with predictability. Long cuts stay straight, and the blades don’t push the material forward as some cheap scissors do.
• Photos: Good. On glossy prints, the edges came out clean with minimal micro-chipping. I preferred the 6.5 in. for control, especially around curves.
• Fabric and ribbon: Solid for general trimming. Single-layer cotton, felt, and ribbon cut cleanly. For precision garment work or thick denim, I’d still reach for dedicated fabric shears, but these handle the occasional hem or patch without fraying.
• Cardboard and light packaging: The 8.5 in. pair pulls its weight here. It handles thin corrugate and chipboard well. On thicker corrugate, it’s doable in short strokes, but you’ll begin to feel the handle pressure. For clamshell packaging, it works in a pinch with caution, but a utility knife or snips are safer and more comfortable.
• Craft materials: Foam sheets, vinyl, and lightweight plastic cut nicely if you keep the blades clean. Adhesives will gum up any general-purpose scissor, and this set is no exception, so wipe down after adhesive-backed jobs.

Across all tasks, the edge geometry seems optimized for general use: thin enough at the tip for detail work, robust enough near the heel for heavier cuts. I didn’t notice edge rolling or nicks after normal usage, though any stainless blade will dull more quickly on abrasive materials like cardboard. A few light passes with a ceramic rod restored bite when needed.

The value of three sizes

The sizing spread is the quiet hero of this set. I reached for each size for different reasons:

• 5.5 in.: My go-to for detail work—trimming decals, cutting out labels, snipping threads, rounding corners on photos. The smaller loops and shorter blades make it nimble.
• 6.5 in.: The generalist. This lived on my desk for mail, paper projects, and craft tasks. It offers control without feeling slow.
• 8.5 in.: Best for long, straight cuts—wrapping paper, poster board, and larger fabric pieces. The longer blades reduce the number of strokes required and keep edges smoother.

This division of labor beats having one “do-everything” pair that’s always in the wrong room, and it prevents premature dulling since you’re not using your fine scissor for cardboard, or your long scissor for delicate cuts.

Comfort and control

The bi-material handles are genuinely comfortable for extended use. I did a long session of cardstock and vinyl cutting with the 6.5 in. pair and didn’t develop hotspots or pinch points. The grip texture helps when hands get slightly damp. The finger loops aren’t oversized, but they accommodate my medium hands well; users with very large hands may prefer the 8.5 in. pair for bulkier tasks since its loops feel a touch more generous.

As with most general-purpose scissors, the blade orientation favors right-handed users. A left-handed colleague could use them without trouble, but noted it takes a beat to adjust for long, precise cuts. If you’re left-handed and particular about cutting accuracy, a dedicated lefty pair might still be the better fit.

Durability and maintenance

Stainless steel resists rust and cleans easily, which matters if you keep a pair in the kitchen or garage. The blades on my set have kept their edge well for the workload I threw at them. A quick maintenance routine keeps performance high:

• Wipe blades after sticky materials (adhesive vinyl, tape backs) with isopropyl alcohol to remove gunk.
• Occasionally add a tiny drop of light machine oil at the pivot and open/close a few times to maintain smooth action.
• Avoid cutting wire or extremely abrasive materials; it’s not what these are made for and will ding the edge.
• If you need to sharpen, a simple scissor sharpener or a ceramic rod works fine. Keep the angle consistent and go lightly.

I didn’t observe any loosening at the pivot or handle separation during testing. The overall build feels sturdier than bargain-bin scissors, which aligns with what I’d expect from a brand-name household set.

Where they come up short

• Heavy-duty work: Thick corrugate, dense leather, or plastic clamshells will fatigue your hand and risk edge dulling. You can muscle through, but there are better tools for those jobs.
• Precision tailoring: For dedicated fabric work, the lack of a tailored blade profile and the general blade grind limit ultra-clean cuts on fine fabrics compared to true dressmaker shears.
• Safety/Storage: There are no blade guards included. The tips are pointed, so store them safely—especially the 8.5 in. pair—to avoid accidental pokes in a drawer.

These aren’t dealbreakers; they’re just boundaries that keep expectations aligned with the category.

Practical tips from the bench

• Assign roles: Keep the 5.5 in. pair for clean materials (paper, photos, thread), the 6.5 in. for everyday tasks, and the 8.5 in. for packages and long cuts. This extends edge life.
• Clean as you go: Adhesives dull edges quickly by building friction. A quick alcohol wipe restores performance immediately.
• Use long strokes: Especially on the 8.5 in., fewer, longer strokes give straighter edges and a cleaner finish.
• Support flexible materials: When cutting thin plastics or vinyl, lay them on a flat surface and stabilize with your off hand to prevent chatter.

Who will appreciate this set

• Households that want a scissor in the office, kitchen, and craft drawer.
• Teachers, crafters, and hobbyists who work across paper, photos, vinyl, felt, and light packaging.
• Anyone who prefers the predictability of stainless blades and comfortable handles without going specialty.

If your daily work involves thick leather, upholstery fabric, or frequent clamshell packaging, you’ll be happier supplementing this set with heavy-duty shears or a utility knife.

The bottom line

The Black & Decker three-pack gets the fundamentals right: clean-cutting stainless blades, comfortable bi-material handles, and a useful spread of sizes that cover nearly every household and craft task I regularly face. They’re sharp out of the box, hold up well with basic care, and feel better made than generic alternatives. They’re not a substitute for specialty tools in demanding materials, and they don’t include safety sheaths, but those trade-offs are reasonable for a general-purpose set.

Recommendation: I recommend this set for anyone who wants reliable, comfortable, and versatile scissors for home, office, school, or craft use. The three sizes reduce compromises, the cutting performance is consistently clean on common materials, and the maintenance is simple. If you need heavy-duty or dedicated fabric shears, pair these with a specialty tool for those tasks. For everything else, this three-pack earns a spot in the drawer—and likely more than one room in the house.