As stated, I was a paramedic for years and used these every shift. they are made in Germany and are high quality steel. The stiffness of the hinge is perfect and they cut just as well left handed as well as right handed. They will cut through a penny no problem at all, blades don't bend and handles wont't break. They have been in my tool box for the last several years and held up well. I just bought a new pair because I started working in the medical field again and my old ones that had been in my auto tool box were looking pretty beat up, though they worked fine.