How to Care for Salon Scissors
By SalonScissors editorial team Updated
Good scissor care is mostly habit: a wipe after every client, a short reset at the end of the day and a sharpen once or twice a year.
How we chose: The routine follows the Joewell, Kasho and Yasaka care pages, checked 15 October 2026. We sell the care supplies shown.
Your care routine at a glance
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| After every client | Brush off the hair, wipe and dry the blades. The cleaning guide has the full routine |
| End of the day | The 5-step reset below |
| Once a week | Look along each edge for nicks. Check the screw and any finger inserts |
| Every 6 to 12 months | Sharpen and service |
| After a drop | Stop using them and get them checked |
The end-of-day reset
Which care instructions apply to your pair?
Oil and tension depend on the maker and the model. Kasho’s Millennium and X-treme Perfection series need no oil or tension adjusting, Joewell calls its Dry Bearing System screw maintenance-free, and Yasaka says never to loosen its pivot screw more than you need to.
The maker care instructions give the Joewell, Kasho and Yasaka routines step by step. Any other brand: follow the care sheet that came with it.
What to keep at your station
-
Maintenance Kit: Clean, Oil & Fix Hair Scissors
Best for a first care kit at your station
A 3 ml oil brush, a cloth, a cleaning brush, four finger inserts and a tension key in one pack.
Keep in mind: Check the key and inserts fit your scissors before you use them.
-
Juntetsu Premium Single Scissor Protector - Hand-Stitched Leather
Best for carrying one pair between stations
A hand-stitched leather sleeve for one 5" to 7" scissor, with a snap closure.
Keep in mind: Seat the tips fully inside before you snap it shut.
-
Mina Vegan Leather Hair Scissor Case
Best for keeping a cutter and thinner together
A zip case with two scissor spaces and a slim slot for an oil pen or comb.
Keep in mind: Inside measurements aren’t listed, so check your tools against the photos.
When to book service
Clean them first, then match what you’re noticing:
-
Hair or product build-up
Clean and dry them. If they still drag afterwards, it’s the tension or the edge.
The cleaning routine -
Rough or stiff to open and close
Clean the pivot, oil it if your maker says to, then do the tension check.
The tension check -
Folds, pushes or catches hair
Do the tension check first. If the tension’s right, book a sharpen.
Fix dragging scissors -
Dropped, or a nick you can see
Stop using them. Keep them closed and protected, then book a service.
After a drop -
Catches on slide cuts
Check the maker made the model for slide cutting. If it’s a new catch on a pair that used to slide, book a sharpen.
Technique and tool choice
As a rule of thumb, Joewell suggests a service every 6 months to a year and Kasho about once a year. If a busy pair starts folding or pushing hair before then, book it in sooner. If it feels stiff or the handles knock after a clean, ride line, blade set and bumper explains what could be behind it.
Choosing a sharpener
Tell them the brand, model and what the pair is doing. Ask whether they sharpen your edge type (convex, bevel or thinning teeth), whether they check the alignment and tension afterwards, and what it’ll cost before you send anything.
Kasho’s US site says only Kasho’s own technicians should sharpen its shears. Our sharpening prep guide shows how to describe the problem and pack the pair.
Travel and storage
Use a case that holds each pair still, with the blades closed. After mobile work, unpack and look over the blades before the next client, and note any knock or drop.
While a pair is away for sharpening, cover your bookings with a backup pair.
Common questions
How often should I oil salon scissors?
As often as your maker says. Kasho says daily, Joewell says after you disinfect, and some pivots need no oil at all.
How often should salon scissors be serviced?
Every 6 to 12 months for most working pairs. Joewell suggests every 6 months to a year and Kasho about once a year. Get them seen straight away after a drop or a nick.
Do barber scissors need different care?
No. Brush, clean, dry and store them the same way; only the oil and tension advice changes, and that follows the maker. Give a 7.0” pair a case slot long enough to hold it closed.
Do thinning scissors need different care?
No. Same routine, but brush between the teeth where hair and product collect. A damaged tooth needs a sharpener, the same as a nicked blade.
Can I keep my scissors loose in a drawer?
Not loose. Store them closed in their own slot, sleeve or case so the edges don’t knock against other tools.
Is a maintenance log worth keeping?
Yes, if several people share scissors. Note drops, adjustments and services so the next person knows the history. Here’s a simple log.
Next step
Due for a sharpen? Ask us about sharpening with the brand, model and what it’s doing. For a fresh start on the routine, read cleaning between clients.