Hair Cutting Shears: What to Look For?
Hair Cutting Shears are defined by their composition, sleek look, and variety of models to choose from. There are now a wide range of shears for anyone from cosmetology students to seasoned professionals. Hair Shears can be made to fit the smallest hands, as well as the largest barbers fingers. You can customize the fit by inserting finger ring sizers, choosing shears with an ergonomically shaped handle, or by choosing the shears that are the correct length for your hands.
There are also different types of Hair Cutting Shears for different cutting techniques. Maybe you are doing some trimming around the ears or some point-cutting, you should probably be using a shorter pair of shears. You don’t need a long blade to do this type of cutting. You should have a pair of 5 inch shears for that. Lets say you are a barber, and you are doing some scissor over comb work to even out the top. For this type of cutting, you are going to need a longer pair of shears to get the job done more efficiently and cut down on fatigue. You should have a 6.5 inch shear for this. The longer blade is essential for even cutting, and will cut the time you spend on each client down to a minimum. All hair stylists know, the faster you get the client out of your chair, the more clients you will see in a day. More clients means more money. More clients also means happier clients, because they can get a fabulous haircut and style in a minimal amount of time.
Efficiency is a big part of the game when it comes to cutting hair. By owning the correct hair cutting shears for each type of cut you are doing, you will be more efficient and a happier hairdresser. How many different pairs of hair cutting shears do you have? As a minimum, we recommend having 3 different styling shears, as well as two pair of texturizing/thinning shears.
If you need help shopping for hair cutting shears, please call us, text us, or e-mail us, just make sure you ask questions. We are here to help!
Scissors & Shears: A Scissor Story
A Scissor Story:
Searching far and wide for the top of the line hair scissors is one of the top challenges a hair stylist faces in today’s workplace. Usually you start out in beauty college with a cheap pair of hair scissors. The beauty school, especially chain schools like PMTS, will tell you that they can supply you with all the tools you need to move forward with your career in hairdressing. They give you some shears that are decent enough to get you through beauty school. But how long can you keep using these shears? Are they meant to Last Forever? Of course not!
By the time you graduate from cosmetology school, you have been using your shears quite a bit. Chances are you haven’t ever had them sharpened, and most likely the school didn’t teach you how to maintain your shears. To a hairdresser, hair shears are the most important tool. Not your hairdryer, your combs and brushes, or even the chair your clients sit in. Many hair stylists overlook this aspect of their job. How is a stylist supposed to give a client the best haircut if the shears being used are not maintained properly? Did you know that over 90% of Split-Ends are caused by dull shears?
[Related: Split-Ends: A Stylists Guide]
As a hair stylist, don’t you owe it to yourself and your clients to use the best tools possible? If you are still using your shears from beauty school, do yourself a favor and buy new shears today! Your clients will thank you and your job will be easier too. Hair scissors should be your first purchase when you begin working at a Hair Salon after beauty school. Did you know that auto mechanics spend over $20,000 on their tools? They have no choice because without the proper tools to perform their job to their best ability, they would not even have a job to start with. Hairdressers need to take this into consideration when working on hair. Your hair shears should be looked at as an investment in yourself and your career.
At Shiro Shears, we make it as easy as possible for new stylists and students to get the shears they need. Our payment plans are unmatched anywhere online. 0% Interest, No financing charges, No Credit Checks, just the easiest way to get into the shears you need for your career as a hairdresser. We use the best stainless steel, and offer the most competitive prices you will find online or anywhere. Most of our competitors charge over $600 for the same quality hair shears that we offer at Shiro Shears. Check for yourself, and you will see that Shiro Shears are the best value.
Japanese Hair Shears
Japanese Shears are the most popular type of hair shears. When compared to other types of hair scissors, japanese hair shears are by far the best type of hair cutting shears. Modeled after the Japanese art of sword making, Japanese shears are designed with the best type of stainless steel. Japanese cutting shears are razor sharp. The Japanese shears scissors steel alloy is built to hold an excellent cutting edge for a prolonged period of time. Japanese scissors can be designed with many different handle shapes. The most important part of Japanese styling shears is the convex edge. This razor edge is designed to slide through the hair without grabbing or pushing the hair. Japanese shears’ convex edge is a rounded type edge, opposite a concave edge. This precision edge gives the Japanese shears the ability to cut smoothly. Most cheaper and older shears are made with a beveled edge, which is a set angle and has no convex shape. The convex edge is far superior and guaranteed to last longer.
Top 5 Reasons to Buy new Hair Shears
Over years of visiting Hair Salons across America, we have seen what one would consider to be horrendous acts of neglect and abuse to Styling Shears. We sell shears, so we might be a little anal when it comes to taking good care of your shears. I’ve been surprised to see everything from using a pair with a broken tip, to a pair dinged up so badly that they won’t even close all the way.
You should probably consider replacing your Shears if:
1. You can’t tighten them any more. You have tightened the screw down so tight that it will not come loose any more, or it is stuck.
2. Rusty Shears are Crusty Shears! If you see any rust at all on your shears, replace them immediately. Before your clients see it.
3. You can’t get the screw out. Scissors need to be taken apart to be cleaned properly, which should be done daily.
4. Old Faithful: You love your shears so much that you have not even considered a new pair in the last 5 years. Chances are, you will be surprised at the ease of use and quality of steel that is used in newer shears.
If you fall into any of these categories, you better go to our shop and buy some new scissors immediately. In early 2009, Shiro Shears started using the new Vacuum Heat Treatment Process: Temperature is controlled of a cycle of time in Shiro Shears Advanced Heat Treatment Process. This process is what makes Shiro Shears stand out from others. This extra step is what gives the steel its extra strength, and is key in creating alloys capable of holding the “Ultimate Edge”.
Your Shears Can Make or Break The Cut
I have heard it all from stylists about what you should and should not do when cutting curly hair, which got me thinking: What is the difference between shears and how they shape your hair?
For more information about this, I went straight to my local curly expert, Ron Valdez at Estilo Valdez Salon in Austin, TX. There are so many different types of shears on the market, each claiming that it is one and only tool you will need. Ron Valdez sings a different tune, “I cycle through six pairs of shears. You can’t tell which you will need to use until you cut down into the hair. Every head of hair is different, so it responds differently to each pair of scissors.”
How can you tell when you’re using the right pair or scissors? Valdez offers some advice, “Start off with one pair and (it) may change throughout the head. One pair won’t always cut it. When you close the shear and it glides through the hair and doesn’t push it out, that is the right type of shear for that hair.”
Not surprisingly, there are many types of haircutting scissors available on the market, including: barber shears, thinning shears, styling shears, tempered shears, left-handed shears and more.
One glance at these scissors will tell you just how different they are from each other. Each is designed to perform a specific task—some are used to create subtle effects while others are perfect for basic haircuts.
What Type of Shear is Best for You?
You have some choices to make before you select the right pair of scissors. Of course, you’ll also want to shop around for the best prices.
Type of Blades
Beveled blades feature one serrated edge and are ideal for layered cuts, tapered cuts and the “scissor over the comb” method.
Convex blades are razor sharp and promise a clean, smooth, flawless cut. They are ideal for slide cutting.
Type of Handles
Opposing grips feature handles of the same length that are symmetrical to the center screw. It is perfect for individuals who cut with the thumb and middle finger.
Offset grips feature a short thumb handle and a longer finger handle. This allows natural, fluid movement and is ideal for individuals who cut with the thumb and ring finger.
Crane grips feature a long finger handle and an angled thumb. This ensures less strain on the wrist and shoulder and allows a freer, open cut.
Types of Thumb Grips
Standard thumb scissors feature a removable and reversible finger resting piece that can be attached to either the left or right. This allows individuals greater versatility (with left and right hand use.
Cutaway thumb scissors do not feature the reversible finger resting piece, but does provide exceptional comfort.
Anatomic thumb scissors allow for greater radial movement due to its curved design. Thus it provides more freedom of movement for the stylist.
Rotating thumb scissors are a new advancement in the haircutting industry. They reduce hand and wrist strain and feature an open-hand grip design, which reduces thumb “travel” and creates a more comfortable experience for the stylist.
Length of Blade
Choosing the blade length is really a matter of comfort and preferred styling methods. You will find you probably need to utilize several different types of scissors, but your hand should feel comfortable no matter what size it is.
Short blades are useful for detailed touchups, such as cutting around the ears or very close to the skin. This type of blade is recommended for all stylists; chances are it will be used frequently for more intricate cutting. The blade should be no longer than 5.5 inches.
Long blades are ideal for cutting thick hair, slide cutting, scissor over comb methods, and bobs, to name a few.
Some other features that stylists may choose to focus on include the production material of the shears, the method of production of the shears and the tension system the shears provide.
So how can you get hands-on experience using various shears with different curl patterns? The new stylists at Estilio Valdez ask their curly friends to come in for a cut, and Valdez even puts an ad on Craigslist for all types of curls to receive a free cut while the stylists are learning how to shape and style curls correctly.
The best advice Ron could give me was, “It’s a craft and just like any other craft, you will master it over time.”
by Megan Dorcey
5 Reasons to Buy your Shears Online
1. Can you trust the website you buy from?
Look for the company Return policy and Warranty. If the company you are buying from does not offer a 30-Day trial period and Lifetime Warranty, don’t trust them. At Shiro Shears, you get a 30-Day trial period and Lifetime Warranty! You can get a great deal and trust that you can try them out before you are committed to keeping them. If you aren’t satisfied, simply return them for a full refund. Now that’s what I call risk free buying.
2. What type of steel are you buying?
Make sure that you know what type of steel you are buying. Many companies claim their shears are from Japan, but the reality is…Most of them are from other countries such as Korea or Pakistan, and they use a lower quality steel called J2 or 420. The best steel type for styling shears is 440C stainless steel. Most scissors made with this Japanese steel are around $300.
3. How long should they last?
Quality styling shears will last a long time when properly maintained. Clean them and keep them in a case and they will last much longer. As a general guideline, you should do about 700 haircuts in between sharpening.
4. Security?
Buying products online can be frustrating at times. At Shiro Shears, we ship items within 24hrs. Our purchase process is 100% secure, we do not store any financial information. Paypal is one of the most recognized payment processors around, and their security is unmatched.
5. I want to feel the shears in my hands before I buy, why should I buy from a website?
The prices we offer online are not available anywhere else. Buy a pair of Shiro Shears. Try them for 30-days, and if you are not satisfied for any reason, we will refund the full purchase price.