Hair scissor articles
Top 10 lists, buying guides, care how-tos and comparisons for hairdressers, barbers and apprentices.
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Choosing your next pair?
Our top 10 hair cutting scissors, picked by budget, hand, handle and length.
Buying your first kit?
The mistakes to avoid with hand, size, set contents and budget.
Cutting for barbers?
Which length and handle to buy for scissor-over-comb.
Looking after your tools?
How to clean your scissors after every client, and when to oil them.
Browse article topics
Buying guides and top 10s
Picks by budget, hand and job, plus what to check before you order.
7 Mistakes When Buying Your First Hair Cutting Scissors
Wrong size, wrong hand, a set you don’t need, chasing steel, poor fit, no care budget and an unclear seller: the 7 first-pair mistakes and their fixes.
Compact and Long Hair Cutting Scissors: 20 Picks by Size
Ten compact cutters (5.0" to 5.5") and ten longer ones (6.0" to 7.0"): the Ichiko for fringes, the Ichiro Sword for over-comb and more, with prices.
Best Hair Cutting Scissors Under A$200: 7 Picks by Need
Our 7 cutters under A$200: the Mina Umi from A$109, Ichiro Ergo for apprentices, Mina Classic II for blunt lines, Dark Gem for barbers and two left pairs.
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Professional Scissor Stores in Australia: 19 to Compare
19 Australian stores for professional hair scissors: what each is good for, delivery, returns and trade access. Five are our related stores, and we say so.
Hair Scissor Accessories for Your Kit: 8 Picks by Job
Eight scissor accessories picked by job: a care kit, oil pen, sleeve, two-scissor case, holster, wallet, toolbox and combs, with prices and what to check.
Top 10 Hair Cutting Scissors: Picks by Hand and Budget
Our 10 hair cutting scissor picks: the Mina Umi for a first pair, the Rose Lefty for left-handers, the Yasaka SA for level rings and the FX PRO for reach.
Top 10 Left-Handed Hair Cutting Scissors: Picks by Budget
Our 10 true left-handed cutters: the Mina Umi on a budget, Yasaka LEFT for everyday work, Joewell LC LEFTY for level rings and the LSF Lefty for barbers.
Top 10 Japanese Hair Scissors: Mid-Range to Premium Picks
Our 10 Japanese picks, mid-range to premium: the Ichiro Taiyo under A$300, Yasaka SA for level rings, Classic PRO for detail and FX LEFTY for left-handers.
Top 10 Japanese Scissor Brands: 6 We Stock and 4 to Know
The top 10 Japanese scissor brands: who each maker is, what it's known for and where to start. Six we stock, plus Mizutani, Hikari, Yamato and Fuji.
Top 10 Japanese Hair Scissors Under A$300: Budget Picks
Our 10 Japanese picks under A$300: the Ichiro Ergo for apprentices, Juntetsu Classic II for slide cutting, the Chomper Wide for barbers and two lefties.
Top 10 Thinning and Texturising Scissors: Picks by Job
Our 10 thinning and texturising picks: a Mina Umi blender to start, the Ergo for apprentices, Ichiro 16T for texture and Kamisori Revolver III for lefties.
5 Checks Before You Buy Premium Hair Cutting Scissors
Spending A$349 or more? Check the job, the fit, the blade, the sharpening plan and the returns first. With premium picks from Kasho, Yasaka and Joewell.
When to Upgrade Your First Hair Scissors (and What to Buy)
Keep, sharpen, add or replace? Upgrade your first pair when you can name what it can’t do, with picks for a second length, a thinner and a new main pair.
Best Hairdressing Scissor Brands: Our Pick for Each Need
The best hairdressing scissor brands by need: Mina on a budget, Ichiro for apprentices, Joewell for left-handers, Juntetsu for barbers, Kasho at the top.
Best Hairdressing Scissor Sets: 10 Cutter and Thinner Pairs
Our 10 cutter and thinner sets: the Mina Umi for a first kit, the Ichiro Ergo for apprentices, the Rose Lefty for left-handers and Yasaka's for barbers.
Best Japanese Hair Scissors: One Pick for Each Job
The Japanese pair we'd pick for each job: Mina Umi for a first pair, the Ergo set for apprentices, Kasho Design Master to upgrade, Yasaka 7.0" for barbers.
How to Choose Salon Scissors: Hand, Size, Handle, Budget
Buy for the hand you cut with, start at 5.5” and pick a handle you can control. Real picks from A$109 for apprentices, barbers and left-handers.
Care and maintenance
Cleaning, sharpening and keeping your kit in service.
10 Hair Scissor Care Mistakes and What to Do Instead
Soaking, bleach, a damp case, guessing the oil, chasing the tension screw: 10 everyday scissor care mistakes and the simple habit that fixes each one.
How to Audit Your Salon’s Scissors: A Simple Checklist
A quick salon scissor audit: list every pair, check its condition, sort what needs sharpening and make sure every stylist has a backup that suits them.
New Salon Scissors? What to Check Before the First Cut
Unboxing a new pair? Check the model, size and hand against your order, look over the blades, wipe off any factory oil and keep the box and paperwork.
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How to Get Scissors Ready for Sharpening or Service
Clean and dry them, write a clear note on what they’re doing, ask the sharpener the right questions, then pack them closed and padded for the post.
Salon Scissor Maintenance Log: What to Record and When
A simple maintenance log for salon scissors: give each pair an ID, note drops, adjustments and sharpening, and keep the sharpener’s report. Free template.
Dull Hair Scissors: Why They Fold Hair and How to Fix Them
Scissors folding, pushing or catching hair? Clean them, oil if your maker says, do the tension drop test, then sharpen. Plus how often to sharpen.
How to Clean Hair Scissors: Daily Routine and Oiling
Clean hair scissors after every client: brush off the hair, wipe and clean the blades, dry the pivot and store them closed. Plus when to oil them.
Know-how for the chair
Scissor types, blades and technique basics.
20 Beginner Questions About Hair Cutting Scissors, Answered
Straight answers to 20 beginner questions: what size to buy (5.5”), which hand, offset or straight, cutter or set, and what to spend, from A$109.
Apprentice Cutting Checklist: Before, During and After
A practice checklist for apprentices: what to set up before you cut, what to watch while you work, and what to note after, plus a printable record.
Types of Hairdressing Scissors and When to Use Each
Cutters, thinners, texturisers and long barber scissors: what each type does, when you need it, and one real pick with its price for every type.
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Brand and model comparisons
Side-by-side looks at makers, models and steel.
Yasaka vs Joewell Scissors: Which Should You Choose?
Yasaka or Joewell? Compare the SA Classic, Joewell Classic and Classic PRO by edge, blade length and price, plus the offset and left-handed options.
Mina vs Ichiro Scissors: Which Value Brand Suits You?
Mina costs less and makes left-handed kits easy; Ichiro adds convex slice edges, texturisers and VG-10 pairs. Our pick from each, with prices.
Japanese vs German Hair Scissors: Which Suits You?
Japanese scissors suit slicing and fine detail; German scissors suit blunt lines and over-comb work. How the edges differ and when to choose each.
Comparing scissors for your kit?
Tell us what you cut and which scissors you are comparing.