Medium Scissors

Medium Ceremonial Scissors for Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies

Medium ceremonial scissors are working ribbon cutting scissors between 13 and 20 inches long, large enough to stand out in event photos yet light enough for one person to hold steady through the cut. The Golden Openings medium range includes a 13 inch hard-chrome pair forged from high carbon cutlery steel, 15 inch pairs in gold-plated, chrome-plated, and all-black finishes, and a 20 inch pair with gold-plated handles, each of which can be engraved on the blade with a logo, event name, or date.

What Are Medium Ceremonial Scissors?

Medium ceremonial scissors are the mid-size tier of ribbon cutting scissors, typically 13 to 20 inches from blade tip to handle. They are roughly twice the length of a standard 7 or 8 inch office scissor, so they read as ceremonial in a photograph without the two-handed effort that a 25 or 36 inch pair can require.

The ribbon cutting ceremony uses an oversized pair of scissors as its signature prop, and the medium size is the one most often chosen when a single dignitary, owner, or executive makes the cut. A medium pair is also the size organizations most often keep on a desk or office shelf afterward, because it displays well without taking over the space.

Which Medium Scissors Are in the Collection?

The medium scissors collection contains five distinct pairs across three lengths: 13 inches, 15 inches, and 20 inches. Each one uses a different finish or blade configuration, so the choice comes down to the look you want in photos and how much length you want in hand.

13 Inch Chrome Plated Scissors

The 13 Inch Chrome Plated Scissors are a professional-grade pair made from hot drop forged high carbon cutlery steel with a build-up of hard chrome for added resistance to wear. They come in two blade styles, Classic and Double Notch, and the blade can be engraved with a company logo. This is the most tool-like pair in the range and the best fit when durability and a clean cut matter more than size.

15 Inch Gold Plated Ceremonial Scissors

The 15 inch GOLD Plated Ceremonial Scissors carry a reflective, gold-plated mirror finish that catches light in both indoor and outdoor photos. They can be customized with engraving and come with a presentation case, which makes them a popular choice for anniversaries, executive gifts, and openings where the scissors are kept as a keepsake.

15 Inch Chrome Plated Ceremonial Scissors

The 15 inch CHROME Plated Ceremonial Scissors offer a bright, silver-toned finish in two blade styles: Rounded Blade and Pointed Blade. A rounded tip is the safer option when the scissors will be passed between guests or handled by children, while a pointed tip gives a sharper, more classic silhouette. A presentation case is included with this pair.

15 Inch Black Ceremonial Scissors

The 15 inch Black Ceremonial Scissors use an all-black finish that looks elegant and upscale when engraved with a logo, event date, or both. The dark finish suits modern brands, black-tie events, and venues with a dark or monochrome palette, and the pair comes with a presentation case.

20 Inch Ceremonial Scissors

The 20 Inch Ceremonial Scissors are the largest pair in the medium range, with gold-plated handles and a choice of Gold Handle and Gold Blade or Gold Handle and Chrome Blade. At 20 inches they bridge the gap between medium and large scissors, giving a bolder presence in group photos while still being manageable for one person. A display case is included.

How Do the Medium Scissors Compare?

The five medium pairs differ mainly in length, finish, and blade style. The table below lays out the stable specifications side by side so you can match a pair to your event.

For most single-person ribbon cuttings, a 15 inch pair is the balanced choice: it is clearly ceremonial on camera and easy to control. Choose the 20 inch pair when the photo will include a wider line of guests, and the 13 inch pair when you want a forged, hard-chrome tool that holds up to repeated events.

How Do Medium Scissors Compare to Small, Large, and Giant Scissors?

Medium scissors sit in the middle of the ceremonial size range, trading some visual impact for easier handling. The right tier depends on crowd size, how many people share the cut, and whether the scissors will be displayed afterward.

If you need a compact keepsake, browse the small ceremonial scissors. For a bigger stage presence, the large ceremonial scissors and the oversized giant ribbon cutting scissors scale up to two-person pairs.

What Finish Should You Choose: Gold, Chrome, or Black?

Gold, chrome, and black finishes each send a different visual message, and the best choice usually follows your brand colors and venue. All three are available at 15 inches, so you can compare finishes without changing size.

• Gold-plated: A warm, reflective mirror finish that reads as celebratory and premium, best for milestone anniversaries, executive presentations, and flagship openings.
• Chrome-plated: A bright silver finish that pairs with nearly any ribbon color and suits formal, neutral, or corporate branding. Chrome plating also adds surface hardness and corrosion resistance.
• All-black: A modern, understated finish that makes an engraved logo or date stand out, best for design-forward brands and evening events.
• Gold with chrome blade: The 20 inch pair combines gold-plated handles with a chrome blade for a two-tone look that adds contrast in photos.

Why Choose Medium Ceremonial Scissors?

Medium ceremonial scissors give the clearest balance between photo impact and control. Their benefits extend past the day of the event.

• One-person handling: At 13 to 20 inches, a single person can open and close the blades cleanly without a second set of hands.
• Clearly ceremonial on camera: At roughly twice the length of everyday scissors, they read as an event prop in group and close-up shots.
• Working blades: These are functional scissors, including a 13 inch pair forged from high carbon cutlery steel, so the ribbon cuts on the first attempt.
• Display-ready keepsake: The 15 and 20 inch pairs come with a presentation or display case, which makes them easy to store and show afterward.
• Personalized branding: Blade engraving adds a logo, event name, or date, turning the scissors into a lasting record of the opening.

How Do You Personalize Medium Ceremonial Scissors?

Medium ceremonial scissors are personalized on the blade, where your logo, company name, event title, or date is engraved or applied as a vinyl decal. The handle keeps its gold-plated, chrome, or black finish, and logos and lettering always go on the blade rather than the handle. Before production, Golden Openings sends a PDF proof by email so you can review the layout and request revisions.

Because the scissors are usually kept after the event, the engraving works as long-term branding on a display piece in a lobby, office, or boardroom. Pairing engraved scissors with a matching presentation case or bag or a keepsake plaque keeps the memento protected and ready to display.

What Else Do You Need for a Ribbon Cutting?

A complete ribbon cutting pairs the ceremonial scissors with the ribbon being cut and the pieces that frame the moment. Most organizations choose a statement pair of scissors first, then match the ribbon and bow to the finish and brand colors.

• Ceremonial scissors: A medium pair in gold, chrome, or black, engraved for the event.
• Grand opening ribbon: Wide ceremonial ribbon in a color that contrasts with the scissors finish.
• Bow or rosette: A centerpiece accent that marks the cut point for the photo.
• Stanchions: Posts that hold the ribbon at a consistent height across the entrance.

The full ceremony checklist is covered on the ribbon cutting ceremony supplies page, and a grand opening kit bundles the scissors, ribbon, and bow into one coordinated set. For most openings led by one person, medium ceremonial scissors remain the most practical pair to hold, photograph, and keep.