The artifact in question is a pair of medieval scissors, discovered on the grounds of Hyde Abbey in Winchester, Hampshire, in 1895. During the medieval period, scissors were more common than shears and served a variety of purposes in domestic and industrial settings. Smaller scissors, like this pair, were suitable for tasks such as needlework, while larger ones were employed for cutting cloth or for more robust domestic and craft activities.
Medieval scissors typically consisted of six components: the bow, hilt, blade, hilt (again), recess, top of the blade, and the tip. Blacksmiths, who usually imported iron for scissors from regions like Spain or Sweden due to the impracticality of using local materials from England's limited and unproductive ore sources, crafted these tools. The manufacturing process involved several steps. First, the blacksmith would take a piece of wrought iron to create the blank of the handle and the blade. Notably, the left scissor blade always overlapped the right one. A carbon steel cutting edge was then welded to the blank, using a hinged joint, where beveled edges at opposite angles were joined together. This joint, or weld, allowed for efficient use of steel, making it economically viable.
After welding, it was crucial to cool the steel quickly to harden it while avoiding brittleness, which could occur as a side effect of rapid cooling. Achieving the right hardness involved a careful and gradual heating process. Finally, the scissors were shaped into their proper form, ensuring they were functional and fit for their intended purpose.