Types of Hairdresser’s Scissors
Hairdressing or hairdresser’s scissors is a broad term used for any scissors used to cut hair. Hairdresser scissors come in different shapes and sizes. The best scissor for you will depend on how you want to style your hair.
For simple trimming
If you want to trim a hairstyle rather than change an entire look, haircutting shears are the best type of hairdresser’s scissors to purchase—the products we have recommended fall into this category. When you want a straight or blunt cut with no layering or texturing, these are the ideal scissors for you.
For layering
When layering, you should first cut the layers with haircutting shears but use thinning scissors to soften the lines of the cut. We only recommend you attempt this if you are confident enough to leave your house with a bad haircut. If it goes wrong, it can look pretty awful.
When in the hands of a professional, thinning scissors makes the difference between a professional and amateur-looking haircut. Thinning scissors have dense teeth and will only cut about half the hair of a regular hair cutting shear.
For thinning the hair
For many, thinning the hair intentionally may seem like a strange concept. However, some people have thinner hair on top and thicker hair on the bottom. Many hairstyles require the hair to be more even.
Texturizing shears are the best scissors to remove some of the bulk of your hair. They are similar to thinning scissors, but they have fewer teeth. The teeth are set further apart and make it easier to grab the hair. Thinning scissors can also be used to thin the hair. Neither should be used to remove length from the hair.
For long straight cuts
Long-bladed barber scissors are the best for long cuts. This type of scissor is often used with a comb to create styles on short hair. However, long-bladed barber scissors are also excellent for asymmetrical bobs and other dramatic styles.
What Is the Best Material for Hairdresser’s Scissors?
Stainless steel is the best material used for hairdressers’ scissors, and most agree that Japanese steel can be made to be the sharpest. However, a Japanese stainless steel scissor will not automatically be sharp. This depends on the blade's craftsmanship. Stainless steel is also rust-resistant, and as you will need to clean your scissors after every use, this is an important feature.
Titanium-coated scissors are the most desirable as they are the most durable and will stay sharper for longer. However, titanium-coated scissors can cost in the region of $1000 and upwards, a much more expensive option than Japanese steel alone.
The Blade’s Edge
As we mentioned previously, some types of scissors will always have serrated edges or teeth, whereas some types of hairdressers’ scissors can have various blade edges. This is especially true for hair-cutting shears. There are three types of blades to choose from.
Beveled
A beveled edge is the oldest type of edge on a scissors blade. It is also the most durable. It is also the most common type of edge found in the cheaper hairdressing shears products. However, it is not the sharpest. Beveled blades are often serrated but not always.
Serrated
Micro-serrated blades are an excellent type of blade to choose if you are new to cutting hair because they will grip the hair as you cut. Choose this type of blade if you have straight to wavy hair and prefer to cut dry hair.
Convex
A convex edge is the sharpest type of blade. However, it is quite fragile. An accidental drop can cause irreparable damage. This type of blade is also called Japanese-style. Convex edges are undoubtedly better if you only plan on purchasing one scissor. This is because you can utilize more cutting techniques than you can with beveled or serrated blades.
However, if you are new to cutting hair, we still recommend a beveled or serrated edge because they hold the hair in place as you cut.
An Adjustment Screw Makes a Big Difference to Quality
Choose a hairdresser’s scissor with an adjustment screw. If the scissors are too tight, you will struggle to cut thicker hair. You will also struggle to cut for long periods because the tension may be too great. Similarly, it is useful to be able to adjust the scissor's tension when they feel loose. If they are too loose, they will not effectively cut thin hair.
Treat Yourself to a Comfortable Handle
The handle should have an extended finger rest. There should also be some sort of bumper between the two-finger holes to prevent heavy vibrations and skin from getting caught between the handles. The finger holes should be large enough to comfortably fit your fingers inside; if you have large hands and fingers, read customer reviews to judge if you can comfortably use them.
Also, consider purchasing a hairdresser’s scissors with offset finger holes. This allows for a more natural movement and will put less pressure on your wrist. Swivel scissors allow you to move your thumb and fingers more independently.
This is a more expensive feature but is worth it in the long run if you are a professional. Prolonged periods of cutting hair can cause repetitive strain injury and pain in the fingers, wrist, and even the shoulder.
