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Is 440C Good Steel for Hair Scissors?

By SalonScissors editorial team Updated

A Yasaka SA Classic cutting scissor shown whole on a white background.
Yasaka SA Classic, made in SUS440C.

440C is a high-carbon stainless steel made by several mills. Japanese makers write it SUS440C.

How we chose: Four 440C cutters from our range, picked on maker specs, listings, hand and price. We sell them and haven’t run cutting tests. Prices checked 15 October 2026.

What’s in 440C?

440CCarpenter’s figure
Carbon0.95–1.20%
Chromium16.00–18.00%
MolybdenumUp to 0.75%
Manganese and siliconUp to 1.00% each
Hardness, heat-treatedAbout 60 HRC

These come from Carpenter Technology’s 440C datasheet, one mill’s version of the grade. The Japan Stainless Steel Association lists SUS440C in the same row as 440C, so treat the two names as the same type of steel.

How hard is a 440C scissor?

Close to the steel’s 60 HRC, depending on the scissor maker’s heat treatment. Our Ichiro Kawa Z-Balance listing, for one, gives 58–60 HRC for its 440C blades. That puts good 440C in the same hardness band as VG-10.

Where does 440C fit in your kit?

Mina Sakura II set: a cutting scissor and a thinning scissor with cherry-blossom detail on the handles.
Mina Sakura II set: a cutter and a 30-tooth thinner, both listed in SUS440C.
  • First pair: the Mina Sakura II gives you a convex edge and an offset handle on a starter budget, from 5.0” to 7.0”.
  • Backup pair: a spare doesn’t need a dearer steel. Match the handle to your main pair so it feels familiar.
  • Thinner: plenty of thinners are 440C, including the Mina Sakura II thinner. There, the tooth design matters far more than the steel.
  • Barber: the Mina Sakura II also comes in 6.5” and 7.0” for scissor-over-comb.
  • Left-handed: the Yasaka LEFT is SUS440C in 5.0”, 5.5” and 6.0”.

Is all 440C the same?

No. The mill and the scissor maker both matter. Yasaka uses Yasugi 440C, which it says is “highly regarded for its purity as it does not contain scrap steel”. A cheap pair stamped 440C can still be poorly hardened or roughly ground, so buy from a maker that tells you the model’s specs.

Does 440C rust?

It’s high in chromium, the element that makes stainless steel stainless, so it handles salon life well. It isn’t rust-proof: Yasaka says stainless scissor steel “is not rust-proof” and asks you to wipe off moisture and dirt after use.

  • Wipe and dry the blades after every client.
  • Dry the pivot after you disinfect.
  • Keep perm and colour solution off the blades.

Common questions

Is 440C good steel for hair scissors?

Yes. It hardens to about 60 HRC, resists rust well and suits first pairs, backups and thinners. The scissor maker’s heat treatment and grind matter more than the grade name.

Is 440C the same as SUS440C?

Effectively, yes. SUS440C is the Japanese standard name, and the Japan Stainless Steel Association lists it with 440C, though each standard has its own limits.

Will 440C scissors rust?

Not if you look after them. Wipe and dry the blades after every client and dry the pivot after disinfecting. Yasaka is clear that stainless scissor steel isn’t rust-proof.

Should I upgrade from 440C to VG-10?

Only if you’re changing something else too, or your 440C pair has done its years. The hardness is about the same. Our VG-10 vs 440C guide sets out what you’d gain.

Next step

Thinking about a step up? See how 440C stacks up in VG-10 vs 440C, or shortlist pairs in the scissor finder.