Horl 1993 GmbH
Interview with Otmar Horl, Julian Ruf

Red Dot: What initially prompted you to design the HORL scissors? 

JR: They are our answer to the frequently asked question of how to sharpen household scissors. We developed the HORL scissors to offer a brand-new cutting experience that inspires customers every time they use the product. That was the idea: to develop a product that users can simply resharpen themselves without any prior knowledge.

To what extent does the design support this?

OH: Each half of the scissors has three perfectly aligned contact surfaces that allow the halves of the HORL scissors to stand at an optimum 45-degree grinding angle without further aids. Just a few strokes with the HORL ceramic grinding disc are enough to restore the original sharpness of the scissors. 

Would you agree that scissors are a perfect example of a precision tool? 

JR: Definitely. The aim was to create scissors that are always sharp and to offer unprecedented durability. The HORL scissors combine precision technology with simplicity, and that’s what makes them unique. Each line, edge and shape has an ergonomic technical function that simultaneously contributes to the elegant design. Both the closure and the contact surfaces are precision aligned to almost one-hundredth of a millimetre.

Which detail caused problems in the design process? 

OH: The mechanism for dismantling and reassembling the two halves of the scissors. Our proprietary quick-release fastener with a spring-loaded bayonet screw keeps the two halves of the scissors pre-tensioned. This feature ensures that the HORL scissors cut with maximum performance along every single millimetre of the blade. The two halves of the scissors are easily separated with an audible click when a slight initial resistance is overcome.