fbpx
Close

Fiskars’ Classic Scissors

We are chronicling the people, places and objects that will stand the test of time.

Classic_General_purpose_scissors

 A winning combination of form and function, Fiskars’ Classic Scissors appeared half a century ago and remain a staple tool in millions of homes and offices around the world.

Leonardo da Vinci said, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”, while Maurice Saatchi stated that “Simplicity is the outcome of technical subtlety. It is the goal, not the starting point.” Both would have been fans of the best-known product of Finland-based global consumer goods company, Fiskars.

Subject of a million-and-one imitations, Fiskars’ orange-handled Classic Scissors can be found in kitchen and office drawers the world over, and recently celebrated their 50th birthday.

The Fiskars story is somewhat longer, and begins back in 1649, in the village of Fiskars, Finland, when the company set up its ironworks to manufacture products such as nails, wire, knives, hoes and iron-reinforced wheels.

In 1832, Fiskars began fine-forging operations, which allowed it to begin making scissors. And more than two centuries were to elapse before Olof Bäckström created the famous orange-handled Classic Scissors, of which over one billion have since been sold.

The new scissors brought together ergonomic plastic handles and new blade-sharpening methods to produce scissors that were effective, competitively-priced and comfortable to use.

While the effectiveness of the new scissors was no accident, the characteristic orange colour of the handles was – and yet in 2003 Fiskars Orange became a registered trademark in Finland.

The Classic Scissors themselves are internationally recognised, being part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.

The success of the Classic Scissors has contributed greatly to the success of Fiskars, which employs around 9000 people in 30 countries. In 2007, it acquired glassware and interiors company Iittala, who created the distinctive trophy given to winners of the third identity Design Awards.

http://www2.fiskars.com

The Latest

Bold Moves, Clean Lines

SETE Interiors has completed a curated home at Nikki Beach Residences on Pearl Jumeirah island in Dubai

Duoflow by Jaquar

Duoflow – Jaquar’s Latest Wellness-Driven Shower Solution

This ceiling-mounted shower system transforms daily routines into wellness rituals.

Building Heritage

Asaan, the Misk Heritage Museum Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects Breaks Ground in Diriyah

Gen-Z Forward Design

From tech-forward co-living spaces to wellness-centric work hubs, here’s how Gen Z’s values of flexibility, sustainability and authenticity are reshaping the built environment

From Floors to Walls

Lobo & Listone introduces Stilart Wall panels to the UAE

Crystal Clear

Studio 971 brings Glas Italia’s visionary glass designs to the UAE

Vela

VELA Unveils The View Island at Ajmal Makan City

A Waterfront Community Where Architecture, Nature, and Mindful Living Converge

Material Matters

identity hosts a panel with GLAZE Granite and Marble on how surfaces shape story, function and identity in design

Like a Fairy Tale

We step inside the Forever Rose Café as the 2D café concept gears up for expansion

Cleft House

Designed by TAEP/AAP, this home in Abdullah Al-Salem, Kuwait emerges as a refined architectural response to its surroundings

Design on the Fast Track

Agata Kurzela Studio completes an F1 lounge that blends Emirati hospitality and contemporary design, set against the high-octane drama of Formula 1 in Abu Dhabi

Era Wellness Kuwait |Saccal Design House

Saccal Design House Shapes Fitness Spaces in Kuwait

Saccal Design House completes two distinct wellness projects in Kuwait