Kasho vs Kamisori Scissors: Which Brand Fits You?

Kasho and Kamisori both make offset cutters for working stylists. Choose Kamisori if you want a crane or double-swivel handle, or a left-handed build of a core model. Choose Kasho if you want level rings or a straight-handle option beside the offset.

Kasho vs Kamisori at a glance

The table says what each brand lists on our product pages, plus what the makers say about their own ranges. It’s not a ranking.

	Kasho	Kamisori
Handle layouts	Offset and straight (level rings)	Offset, crane and double swivel
Cutting hand	Mostly right-handed; the Design Master Offset LEFTY is left-handed	Left and right builds of the Diablo II, Jewel III, Black Diamond III, Revolver III and Sword
Sizes, core models	4.5” to 7.0” across the range	5.0” to 7.5” across the range
Steels, as listed	SG2 on the Millennium	Takefu cobalt-alloy, ATS314, 440C and VG-10, depending on the model
Thinners	Design Master thinners in 15, 30 and 38 teeth	Matching 30-tooth thinners for most cutters

Kamisori is a Canadian brand with Japanese-inspired designs, and some models are made in Japan. Browse both ranges in the Kasho collection and the Kamisori collection, or read the brand profiles for Kasho and Kamisori.

Which brand suits a stylist who wants a moving handle?

Kamisori. It lists a crane handle on the Black Diamond III and double-swivel handles on the Jewel III and the Revolver III. We list no swivel or crane Kasho.

Keep in mind: a swivel thumb ring moves with you, so give yourself time to get used to it. Our handle guide compares fixed, crane and swivel handles, and the swivel and crane list shows the cutters side by side.

Which brand suits a stylist who likes level rings?

Kasho. The Design Master, Blue, Silver and Millennium each come in a straight-handle version with the rings opposite one another. Kamisori’s core models, the Diablo II, Jewel III, Black Diamond III, Revolver III and Sword, are offset, crane or swivel layouts.

Keep in mind: the straight and offset versions of one Kasho model share a name, so check the handle on the option you choose.

Two exact-model pairs, side by side

The same job, one cutter from each brand, with sizes and edges as listed on the product pages.

An everyday offset cutter.

	Kasho Design Master Offset	Kamisori Diablo II
Handle	Offset, with a raised ratchet tension screw	Fixed offset
Edge, as listed	Semi-convex slice blade	3D convex edge
Steel, as listed	Not stated on the listing	Takefu cobalt-alloy
Sizes	5.0”, 5.5”, 6.0”	5.0”, 5.5”, 6.0”
Hand	Right (a LEFTY is listed separately)	Right or left, chosen on the listing

Pick the Design Master Offset if you want a slice blade and a raised ratchet tension screw. Pick the Diablo II if you want the same three sizes in the hand you cut with.

A longer, top-of-range cutter.

	Kasho Millennium Offset	Kamisori Sword
Handle	Offset	Fixed offset
Edge, as listed	SG2 sword-style slice blade	3D convex edge
Steel, as listed	SG2	ATS314
Sizes	5.5”, 6.0”, 6.5”	6.0”, 6.5”, 7.0”, 7.5”
Hand	Right	Right or left, chosen on the listing

Kasho’s care page says Millennium needs no oil and no tension adjusting, unlike most of its range. Kamisori’s Sword gives you a longer size ladder, up to 7.5”, which suits longer sections and over-comb work.

What about left-handed stylists?

Both brands list left-handed options, in different ways. Kamisori lists a left-handed build of each core model, chosen on the same page. Kasho lists the Design Master Offset LEFTY as its own product, in 5.5” and 6.0”.

Check that the listing says left-handed for the exact option you choose. Our left-handed guide explains what a true left-handed pair is.

How do you choose between them?

If you	Look at
Want a crane handle	Kamisori Black Diamond III
Want a double-swivel handle	Kamisori Jewel III or Revolver III
Want level rings	Kasho straight-handle models
Want a left-handed build of a core model	Kamisori, or the Kasho Design Master Offset LEFTY
Want a short cutter for close detail	Kasho Blue, in 4.5” or 5.0”
Want sizes up to 7.5”	Kamisori Sword
Want a choice of thinner tooth counts	Kasho Design Master, in 15, 30 or 38 teeth

Our guide to comparing two similar scissors fairly shows how to put two pairs side by side. If you’re still deciding, the scissor finder shortlists by hand, size and budget.

Common questions

Is Kamisori a Japanese brand?

Kamisori is a Canadian brand with Japanese-inspired designs, and some models are made in Japan. Check each product page for the model you’re considering.

Is Kasho better than Kamisori?

Neither is better across the board. They list different handle layouts, so choose by the handle that suits your grip, your cutting hand and the lengths you work with.

Which brand has left-handed scissors?

Both. Kamisori lists left and right builds of its core cutters, and Kasho lists the Design Master Offset LEFTY. Read the option on the listing to confirm the hand.

Do Kasho and Kamisori make thinners?

Yes. Kasho lists Design Master thinners in 15, 30 and 38 teeth. Kamisori lists matching thinners for most cutters, sold separately or as a set. Our cut ratio guide explains why tooth count alone doesn’t tell you how much a thinner removes.

Further reading

For another head-to-head, see Ichiro vs Juntetsu. For care advice from the makers themselves, see our maker care instructions. Scissorpedia is a reference website on scissors. SalonScissors is part of the ShearAlliance, working with other trusted scissor websites. More guides are in our knowledge base.