Joewell, Kasho and Yasaka Care Instructions
By SalonScissors editorial team Updated
Joewell, Kasho and Yasaka all publish their own care steps, and they don’t agree on oil and tension. Here’s what each one says.
How we chose: Taken from each maker’s own care pages and FAQs, checked 15 October 2026. We sell all three brands.
Oil and tension: how the three makers differ
| Maker | Oil | Tension |
|---|---|---|
| Joewell | Pivot after you disinfect. Blade too, before storage | Coin for the flat screw. Its Dry Bearing System is maintenance-free |
| Kasho | Pivot daily, except Millennium and X-treme Perfection | Drop test daily, except those 2 series |
| Yasaka | Not covered on its precautions page | Tighten if it closes under its own weight; loosen a little if stiff |
The tension drop test shows the Kasho check step by step.
Joewell care instructions
Disinfect with ethanol, dry it off properly, then oil. Joewell’s notice is all about stopping rust.
Joewell FX PRO. Joewell lists a Dry Bearing System screw for this model.
The routine
- Wipe off the dirt with a chamois or cleaning cloth. Fold the cloth in four so you don’t cut your hand.
- Wipe the whole scissor with ethanol on a cloth or cotton. The ethanol you use on your hands is fine.
- Once the ethanol has dried, wipe off any moisture that’s left.
- Oil the pivot.
- Before you store them, oil the hollow-ground face of the blade too. Wipe that oil off before you cut again.
- Don’t
- Soak them in ethanol, boil or steam them, or use bleach. Joewell says each can leave moisture or chlorine behind and rust the scissors. Weak ethanol or ethanol with moisturiser can do the same.
- Tension
- The flat screw turns with a coin 1.7 mm thick or thinner. Joewell describes its Dry Bearing System screw, used on the FX PRO, as maintenance-free. Its FAQ says not to loosen screws too far, and to retighten them as they loosen with use.
- New pair
- Joewell ships its scissors oiled for protection. Wipe the oil off before the first cut.
- Sharpening
- Joewell’s FAQ suggests a service every 6 months to a year. Outside Japan, it asks you to contact it before you send scissors there.
From Joewell care notice (May 2020), Joewell screw types, Joewell FAQ (in Japanese) and Joewell international contact, checked .
Kasho care instructions
Wipe after every use, then oil the pivot and check the tension daily, unless you have a Millennium or X-treme Perfection.
Kasho Millennium, one of the two series KAI USA says needs no oil or tension adjustment.
The routine
- Wipe the blades after every use. Kai Europe suggests a Kasho leather cloth.
- Disinfect with a Barbicide wipe, a disposable cloth with 70% alcohol or a UV steriliser.
- Oil the pivot daily with the Kasho oil pen, clipper oil or WD-40.
- Check the tension daily with the drop test: tips up, open into a cross, let one ring go. It should drop a little.
- Rest them closed in a safe spot at your station, and carry them in a case.
- Exceptions
- KAI USA says the Millennium and X-treme Perfection series need no oiling and no tension adjustment. Kai Europe’s Millennium page says that series’ tension needs checking now and then.
- Don’t
- Let sterilising liquid, perm solution or colour touch the blades, because they corrode them. Don’t clip your shears onto combs, which can scratch or nick the blades.
- Nicks
- Stop using nicked blades until they’re fixed. If you drop them or they chip, KAI USA says to send them for service straight away.
- Sharpening
- About once a year, says KAI USA, or closer to 2 years for the Millennium. It says only Kasho’s own service should sharpen them, and that sharpening elsewhere voids the US warranty.
From KAI USA care instructions, KAI USA FAQ, Kai Europe care page and Kai Europe Millennium page, checked .
Yasaka care instructions
Keep them dry and clean, treat them gently and set the screw by feel. Yasaka sharpens its own scissors in Japan.
Yasaka SA Classic, with its slotted pivot screw between the blades and handles.
The routine
- Wipe off any moisture or dirt after use. Yasaka’s steel resists corrosion but isn’t rust-proof.
- Handle them carefully. A drop or knock can chip the blade.
- Cut hair only. Yasaka won’t stand behind problems from cutting anything else.
- Resharpen as soon as they stop cutting cleanly.
- Tension
- Open the scissors with no fingers in the rings. If they close under the handle’s weight, tighten the pivot screw. If they feel stiff to open and close, loosen it a little. Never loosen it more than you need to.
- Don’t
- Force a cut with a damaged blade. Yasaka says it shortens the scissors’ life.
- Oil
- Yasaka’s precautions page doesn’t cover oil.
- Sharpening
- Yasaka sharpens and repairs its own scissors in Japan. Contact it first, then send them fixed closed and wrapped in bubble wrap or other cushioning.
From Yasaka precautions for use and Yasaka sharpening service, checked .
Got a different brand?
Follow the care sheet that came in the box. Lost it? Ask us with the brand and model, and we’ll point you to the maker’s own instructions.
Whatever the brand, the basics in our cleaning guide still apply: brush, wipe, dry and store them closed.
Common questions
Do all salon scissors need oil?
No. KAI USA says Kasho’s Millennium and X-treme Perfection series need none, and Joewell describes its Dry Bearing System screw as maintenance-free. Most other pivots take a drop of oil, so check your maker’s page.
What can I disinfect my scissors with?
Joewell says ethanol, wiped on and then dried off. KAI USA suggests a Barbicide wipe, a cloth with 70% alcohol or a UV steriliser. Joewell says never to use bleach.
Can I use WD-40 on salon scissors?
KAI USA lists WD-40 and clipper oil for Kasho shears, as well as its own oil pen. Joewell and Yasaka don’t say, so stick to scissor oil for those unless the maker names something else.
Who should sharpen Kasho or Yasaka scissors?
KAI USA says only Kasho’s own service should sharpen Kasho shears. Yasaka sharpens and repairs its scissors in Japan; contact it before you send them. Ask us about the options from Australia.
My scissors aren’t Joewell, Kasho or Yasaka. What do I follow?
The care sheet that came with them. If it’s gone, ask us with the brand and model.
Next step
Keep the basics for every brand at your station:
Maintenance Kit: Clean, Oil & Fix Hair Scissors
Best for cleaning, oil and a tension key in one pack
For storage, travel and when to book a service, read the full care guide.