Which scissors cut to create sharp hairstyles?
Words: Relin Hedly
Scissors are the most essential tool for hairdressers to achieve that ‘perfect’ haircut for their clients. Therefore, it is important to consider certain factors before you select the right one for your salon’s use. With several options available among scissors and shears, ensure you choose the best tool that suits your style and functionality.
If not chosen wisely, the wrong tool can drastically impact the quality of your work as well as client satisfaction. Moreover, your safety and comfort could also be compromised, leading to health issues like hand fatigue, etc.
The professional scissor and shear guide
Choosing a professional pair of scissors is a long-term investment. Making the right choice can go a long way in perfect hair cutting and styling.
Professional scissors with high-quality steel ensure great value and durability. Opt for scissors from brands of repute. According to Naseem Salmani, Owner, Naseem Salon & Academy, “High-quality steel ensures durability and sharpness. Ergonomic handles reduce hand fatigue, while balanced weight improves control.”
The type of haircutting techniques you perform also matters. Some of the important factors to consider while selecting professional scissors for salon use are:
- Blade material
- Sharpness
- Comfort
- Weight
- Handle design
On the other hand, low-quality scissors are not an option at all, as they are sharpened using machines and will eventually succumb to wear and tear. They cannot be sharpened further, rendering them useless.
Types of hair-cutting tools
The three main types of cutting tools, with each having a specific purpose to help achieve precision, are:
- Straight scissors (for general cutting): Features – Sharp and lightweight
- Thinning shears (to remove bulk, add texture): Features – Notched and smooth blade
- Curved shears (for creative, curved cuts): Features – Thin and small with larger handles
Functions and Features
Various brands have stepped in with a range of innovative designs to meet the different hairdressing requirements of the stylists.
There is a wide range of scissors available for hair sculpting, thinning and cutting, to exclusive multifunctional scissors for the creation of special effects. Similarly, there are different scissors for beginners. Selecting the first pair of scissors could be confusing and challenging for a novice hairdresser. “I recommend lightweight, easy-to-handle straight scissors with adjustable tension to help develop control and precision”, adds Naseem Salmani. Thanks to cutting and a range of techniques, there is no one-size-fits-all in the scissors category. A good set of professional scissors ensures a precise cut, reducing wrist pain, hand fatigue or any other kind of injury.
With global brands like Jowell, Jaguar, Hikari, Fuji, etc., present in the market, most of the scissors and shears have their blades manufactured either in Japan, Germany, Taiwan, China and Korea, among others. Although Japanese and German steel is a preferred option for scissors and shears, Chinese and Taiwanese shears have affordable options available. Some of the brands Naseem Salmani prefers are Alan Truman, Ikonic, JAGUAR and VEGA for their quality, durability, and precision.
Look out for the following features in premium scissors:
- Sharpness
- Blade type (convex or bevelled)
- Adjustability of tension
- Handle ergonomics
- Quality of material
- Corrosion resistance
- Comfort grip
- Smooth cutting action
Maintenance of professional scissors
Like any other tools in the hairdressing kit, regular maintenance ensures they stay in good condition for a long time. For optimum performance:
- Clean them after every use
- Oil the pivot regularly
- Sharpen blades professionally
- Store them in a protective case to avoid damage
BOX
Although bots, professional scissors and shears empower stylists to create precise hairstyles efficiently, here are the key differences:
Shears Scissors
- Offset handles, long blades. Equal-size handles, short blades
- Lightweight depends on design
- Sharp angle , Little blunt angle
- Fewer split ends and damage. Possibility of damage
- Intricate cuts & control Controlled precision
- Texturising, cutting and blending General tasks
In conclusion, the choice between shears and scissors comes down to your hair-cutting goals. While professional scissors offer comfort and durability with each use and clean cuts, shears are best for versatile hairdressing tasks like precision styling and hair health
