A paw cutting system for removing a poultry paw from a shackle conveyed along a shackle conveyor line and then cutting the leg of the paw to remove the knuckle is provided. Rotation about the index finger under control of the adjacent thumb and middle finger provide precise finger-tip control of the pitch, angle and pressure applied the fixed or replaceable shaving blades. The operating force inputted to the zoom control is mechanically transmitted to at least one of the first lens unit and the second lens unit. Applied energy may be monopolar or bipolar radiofrequency energy or any other suitable energy, such as laser, microwave, ultrasound, resistive heating or the like.