What is the best tool to cut skewers wood skewers without splinters? The number one on my list is a dog nail clipper or calls also a trimmer. I like this tool because I bought it for less than $5 at Marshall’s store to trim my skewers after I saw this tip on the Internet. This is my kitchen tool now and works great for this task. I see slight wear on the blades but this probably explains why I didn’t pay much for it. The clipper works well for any size of the skewer. The tool is small and doesn’t take up much space in my kitchen drawer. The perfect tool to have in the kitchen to cut wood skewers easily and safely (compared to a knife, for example).

*I tried to use a guillotine nail trimmer for dogs and it didn’t work well for me!

1. Place the clipper where you would like to make the cut and clip.

As you can see, the cut looks perfect. I show the most difficult size of skewers to shorten.

      Kitchen shears (scissors) I always use in the past by point I get clippers. However, not every kitchen shear can we able to use to cut thick wooden skewers. My best kitchen scissors worked but not great because I need to use more pressure than I use with a dog clipper. However, I included shears in the list because it is another option to cut skewers.

1. Place the shears where you would like to make the cut and cut, it works for thinner skewers. If the skewer is thick, I like to cut it in 2 steps. First I make a cut halfway. Then rotate to the opposite side and make the final cut.

       The garden pruner is designed to cut tree branches and is just the perfect tool to cut any size wooden skewer. A garden pruner makes smooth cuts every time without much effort. A great tool to use if you have to cut skewers to a desirable size and large amount of skewers. However, it is more expensive than dog clippers and almost two times bigger in size to keep in the kitchen.

       The unusual tool on my list is an electric tool – a cable cutter. I found it in my husband’s garage and put it to the test as another option to shorten skewers. The tool has a curved cutting edge and we don’t have to put much pressure when cutting the skewer. It performed well and has a small size to keep in the kitchen. The downside is it is more expensive than a dog clipper.

        Using a chef’s knife to shorten skewers is the last choice on my list. The knife is not safe to cut skewer compared to the tools I mention above. The knife can slip if we are not careful and wood dulls the knife. However, if we have a sharp knife, cutting a thin skewer is an easy task. A knife everyone has in the kitchen and can be the solution to shorten skewers if we don’t have other tools available.

 Tips for Cutting Skewers Neatly

• Cut the skewers in a safe place. Be sure to cut the skewers in a safe place, such as a cutting board or a work surface away from the food. This will help to prevent injuries and wood splinters get in your food.
• Use a sharp tool. A sharp tool will make it easier to cut the skewers cleanly. If your tool is dull, it will be more difficult to get a smooth nice cut.
• Cut the skewers slowly and carefully. There’s no need to rush when cutting skewers. Take your time and cut slowly and carefully to ensure a smooth cut, especially if we use a knife.

By following these tips, I always manage to cut skewers neatly and safely.