Surgical Scissors Selection Guide

All scissors manufactured by Hu-Friedy and sold by Xemax Surgical Products.

Quick Reference Table

Scissors Primary Use Blade Shape Length Key Feature SKU Action
Iris Fine cutting, suture trimming, microsurgery Curved or Straight 11.5 cm / 4.5" Smallest, most precise — 4 material options
Wagner Soft-tissue management, suture cutting Straight, Curved, or Angled 11.5 cm / 4.5" One serrated blade; 3 shape options incl. angled
LaGrange Confined-access cutting, suture trimming Double-curved (S-shaped) 11.5 cm / 4.5" Double-curved blade for angled access in tight spaces
Joseph Soft-tissue dissection and cutting Curved or Straight 13.0 cm / 5.1" One serrated blade for grip on slippery tissue
Quinby #8 Delicate cutting in confined spaces Curved 12.5 cm / 4.9" Short blade profile; one serrated blade
Sullivan #15 Soft-tissue cutting and management Curved 14.0 cm / 5.5" One serrated blade; smooth opposing blade
Baby Metzenbaum Delicate dissection in compact spaces Curved 12.5 cm / 4.9" Compact Metzenbaum pattern for tighter access
Metzenbaum Delicate soft-tissue dissection Curved or Straight 14.5–18 cm / 5.5–7" Long shank for reach; 3 tip types, 2 finishes
21/22/23 Surgical General surgical cutting Curved or Straight 14.5 cm / 5.7" Versatile general-purpose scissors; pointed or blunt tips
Double Super-Cut #10 Soft-tissue trimming in confined areas Double-curved 13.5 cm / 5.3" Double-curved blade; Super-Cut or stainless options
Kelly Thick tissue and suture cutting Curved or Straight 16–18 cm / 6.25–7" Longest in the line; heavy-duty for dense tissue
Mayo Thick tissue and suture cutting Curved or Straight 14.5 cm / 5.7" Heavy-duty blades; blunt tips; workhorse utility scissors

By Clinical Task

Delicate Soft-Tissue Dissection

For precise, controlled dissection of delicate soft tissue with minimal trauma:

  • Metzenbaum — Long shank for reach; available in 3 tip types and 2 finishes
  • Baby Metzenbaum — Compact Metzenbaum pattern for tighter access
  • Joseph — One serrated blade for grip on slippery tissue

Precision Cutting in Confined or Microsurgical Spaces

For fine, controlled cutting in tight or highly magnified fields:

  • Iris — Smallest, most precise; available in 4 material options
  • Quinby #8 — Short blade profile; one serrated blade
  • LaGrange — Double-curved blade for angled access in tight spaces
  • Double Super-Cut #10 — Double-curved blade; Super-Cut or stainless options

Suture Cutting and General Soft-Tissue Management

For routine suture trimming and general soft-tissue work:

  • Wagner — One serrated blade; 3 shape options including angled
  • Sullivan #15 — One serrated blade; smooth opposing blade
  • 21/22/23 Surgical — Versatile general-purpose scissors; pointed or blunt tips

Heavy-Duty Cutting — Thick Tissue and Sutures

For cutting dense tissue, heavy sutures, or materials requiring more force:

  • Mayo — Heavy-duty blades; blunt tips; workhorse utility scissors
  • Kelly — Longest in the line; heavy-duty for dense tissue

Material & Finish Options

Stainless Steel
Standard surgical stainless. Reliable, consistent performance.
Super Cut
One serrated blade that grips tissue and prevents push-away during cutting.
Perma Sharp
Enhanced edge retention for longer-lasting sharpness between sharpenings.
Black Line
Anti-glare black finish reduces reflection under operatory lighting and magnification.

Size at a Glance

  • 11.5 cm / 4.5" — Iris, Wagner, LaGrange (most compact)
  • 12.5 cm / 4.9" — Baby Metzenbaum, Quinby #8
  • 13.0 cm / 5.1" — Joseph
  • 13.5 cm / 5.3" — Double Super-Cut #10
  • 14.0 cm / 5.5" — Sullivan #15
  • 14.5 cm / 5.7" — Metzenbaum (standard), Mayo, 21/22/23 Surgical
  • 16–18 cm / 6.25–7" — Kelly, Metzenbaum (long)

All scissors on this page are manufactured by Hu-Friedy and sold by Xemax Surgical Products. For questions about instrument selection, contact us directly.