ATS-314 Steel in Hair Scissors
By SalonScissors editorial team Updated
ATS-314 is a cobalt stainless steel made in Japan for hairdressing scissors. Yasaka uses it on many of its cutters.
How we chose: Three Yasaka cutters listed in ATS314, picked on maker specs, listings, size and price. We sell them and haven’t run cutting tests. Prices checked 15 October 2026.
Who makes ATS-314?
Yamamura, a metalworking firm in Sanjo, Japan, that makes scissor blanks and its own hair scissors, developed it with the steel mill Proterial (formerly Hitachi Metals) in December 1998, according to Yamamura’s company history. Yamamura sets the recipe and Proterial makes the steel, sold as Yasugi ATS314.
Yamamura says the name comes from ATS-34, a knife steel, but that the two are different steels. Don’t let a seller swap one for the other.
How does it compare with 440C and VG-10?
| What its makers say | |
|---|---|
| 440C | About 60 HRC after heat treatment (Carpenter) |
| VG-10 | 60 HRC or more, with 1.5% cobalt (Takefu) |
| ATS-314 | A higher grade than 440C, with cobalt for hardness and wear resistance; no public figures (Yamamura) |
Yasaka describes it as “cutlery steel specifically for hairdressing scissors” and says the cobalt “further increases practical hardness and provides excellent wear resistance.” Yamamura adds that it’s harder to work than 440C and costs more.
Neither company publishes the full recipe or a hardness figure. So ATS-314 sits above 440C on its makers’ word, and beside VG-10 with no numbers to split them.
What does a Yasaka KM give you?
The KM is a clear example of ATS-314 in a finished scissor. Yasaka’s KM-5.5 spec lists:
- Steel: ATS314 cobalt stainless steel
- Length: 140 mm overall, with a 53 mm blade
- Handle: an ergonomically designed 3D handle
Our KM listing comes in 5.5”, 6.0” and 6.5”. Choose the length for your sections first; the steel is the same across all three.
How do you look after it?
The same way as any stainless scissor. Yasaka says its stainless steel is “not rust-proof”, so wipe off moisture and dirt after every client. It also warns not to loosen the pivot screw more than you need to, and that a drop can chip the blade.
When the edge starts pushing hair, resharpen it soon: Yasaka asks for that too. Use a sharpener who knows Japanese convex and slice edges.
Common questions
Is ATS-314 better than VG-10?
Neither maker publishes enough to say. Both are Japanese cobalt stainless steels for blades. Choose between an ATS-314 and a VG-10 pair on handle, length and edge.
Is ATS-314 the same as ATS-34?
No. Yamamura says the name comes from ATS-34 but the two are different steels. ATS-314 was developed for hair scissors.
Which brands use ATS-314?
In our range, many Yasaka scissors list ATS314, along with several Kamisori models, Kasho’s Silver Offset and Silver Straight, and Juntetsu’s Sword and Mastersmith cutters.
Is ATS-314 good for barbers?
Yes, if the length is right. The Yasaka 7.0” lists ATS314 and a slice edge for long strokes and scissor-over-comb. The barber scissors guide has more long cutters.
Does ATS-314 need special care?
No. Wipe and dry it after every client, keep it in a case and don’t loosen the pivot screw more than you need to. Book a sharpen as soon as it starts pushing hair.
Next step
Like the KM’s handle but not sure of the length? The size guide shows how to measure the pair you have. For other steels, the steel guide compares them all.