If you’ve ever noticed the jagged, toothy section between the handles of your kitchen scissors, you might have wondered why it’s there—it doesn’t cut like the blades. That’s because it’s not for slicing at all. Instead, it’s designed for gripping, crushing, and holding items in place while you work.

This hidden multitasker can crush garlic cloves, crack nuts or lobster shells, and grip chicken bones while you trim around them. It also helps secure thick-skinned produce like squash or citrus while you slice. Unlike the sharp blades, the toothed section never fully closes, so it works more like a clamp.

To use it, place garlic under the notch and press to pop the skin, crack nuts before baking, or hold bones steady for clean cuts. You can even grip citrus for easier juicing or strip herb leaves quickly. Chefs and home cooks alike swear by it once they know its purpose.

Most people assume it’s decorative or broken, but it’s a functional part of your scissors’ design. So next time you reach for a nutcracker, citrus zester, or extra set of hands—remember that little toothed section could save you time and effort in the kitchen.