Question

Why do you push an object closer to scissors (fulcrum) when you want to cut an object which is hard?

Answer 1

With the pivot serving as the fulcrum, a pair of scissors functions as a lever.

With a lever,

load × load arm equals effort × effort arm

The load arm shrinks as we move the hard object closer to the fulcrum. A smaller load arm permits a lot greater force to act on the item for the same effort put at the handles (long effort arm). Cutting a hard object is made easier by this greater cutting force.