Hair Cutting Scissors Types for Different Hair Techniques

Just as how you would need different tools for different occasions, you also need different pairs of professional hairdressing scissors depending on the type of haircut. Not all hairdressing tools are the same. They are designed with different materials and features to help you achieve the desired hairstyle with professional results every single time. Let’s check out the different types of scissors that we offer for popular haircutting techniques!

Thinning and Texturising

As a hairdresser, you will probably encounter a lot of clients with thick and coarse hair that request to thin and texturise their hair. Using your normal tool to cut voluminous hair is a no-go. You’ll need professional hairdressing thinners that are specifically designed for texturising.

Thinner scissors usually have teeth or notches on one side, while the other side is a smooth blade. Using thinners ensure that there is less damage for the hair compared to using razors to thin out the hair. We offer a wide range of thinning and texturizing scissors which are designed to give you a clean and precise haircut every time thanks to the premium grade steel.

Matsui Matte Black 14 Tooth Offset Thinner – Scissor Tech

Scissor Over Comb

If you find yourself using the scissor over the comb technique for most hairstyles, then it is recommended that you use long hairdressing scissors specifically for long layered haircut as the length is great for basic trimming. Anything scissors with a length over 6 inches are great for this technique. We carry reputable brands such as Matsui, Joewell and Yasaka, all of which sell long blades that will surely give you professional results for every haircut.

Matsui Matte Black Samurai 7 Inch – Scissor Tech

Intricate Styles

When it comes to complex haircuts that require more attention and detail, you can’t go past smaller scissors. Stick to 4.5 to 5.5 inches when buying smaller hairdressing scissors as they offer a more detailed and accurate cut. Our range of hairdressing supplies are also ergonomic and made with grip handles, which provide more control over the cut. Check out Matsui scissors like Matsui Damascus Offset Triple Set for a varied range of small
hairdressing scissors!

Matsui Rainbow Scissor – Scissor Tech

Straight Line Cutting

Your fingers need to be steady and out of the way when it comes to blunt haircuts. It is recommended that you choose scissors that have an angled handle area with short handles for precision and control. Matsui offer fully offset scissors that are super stylish and comfortable, and so they are perfectly suitable for this technique.

2018 Matsui Matte Black Aichei Mountain Offset Scissors – Scissor Tech

Point Cutting

Straight set of scissors with thumb rings that align on top of each other are recommended for point cutting to seamlessly thin out the bulk of the hair and blend layers in. The straight angle of the handle will eliminate awkward hands and provide more comfort than offset or crane handle when you’re point cutting.

Yasaka 7 Inch Straight Blade – Scissor Tech

Still unsure about which hairdressing scissors are best suited for you? Think about the daily hair services you provide to your clients. Do you have a signature hair technique that you constantly use every day? What is the most popular hairstyle that you get requested by your clients? Is your salon known for providing a particular hair technique? Get to know about what is point cutting and more.

Once you’ve figured out which scissors to buy, head to Scissor Tech to check out all the hairdressing tools we offer for all of the above technique!

More About Hair Cutting Shears and Scissors

Since you already know which products can be used for different hair techniques, let's take a closer look at the hair cutting equipment you’ll use during your professional career. Practice makes perfect, but you'll learn much faster once you get to know the basics of your trade. Now, let's talk about the staple for every barber and hairdresser: their trusty shears and scissors.

The Shape of the Scissors

Whenever you're choosing a pair of scissors, you need to make sure they fit in your hand perfectly and always feel comfortable. Otherwise, you might feel pain and you won’t be able to focus solely on your client’s hair. That's why the handle of your scissors is so important, and some shapes are more ergonomic than others. Here are the three most popular options:

Classic

This scissor type is also referred to as straight. In this case, the shapes of the upper and lower blade are the same, the handle has a flat level, and the rings line up precisely with each other. It’s one of the most popular options, though unfortunately, the ergonomics is minimal. Straight scissors with their completely vertical blades are recommended for deep point cutting techniques.

Offset

Offset scissors have slightly angled handles, the handle shank is shortened and features a thumb ring. The top and bottom rings don't align with each other. The reason for their popularity? It's a more ergonomic option and many people find it more comfortable than classic shears. Offset scissors let them adjust their hand movements more freely, especially if they're used to holding the scissors with their ring finger. We especially recommend using offset shears for blunt cutting, vertical cutting, and straight line cutting.

Crane

Some people consider them to be an exaggerated version of the offset models. Crane shears have a completely straight blade but the handle shank with a thumb ring is angled downwards. It's the most ergonomic model that helps you reduce fatigue while cutting hair, which is great if you don’t want to feel exhausted after a long day of creating stunning haircuts.

Different Types of Hair Cutting Scissors and Shears

Now that we've covered the three basic scissor shapes, let's move on to various types of hair cutting shears you might be using to create different types of cuts that your clients will love. These include, but are not limited to:

• Swivel shears. If you value your comfort and safety, swivel-style hair cutting shears could become your new go-to piece of equipment. This type has a swiveling thumb hole that can be twisted at an angle. Because of that, you'll be able to adjust the position of your wrist, elbow, and shoulder. Swivel shears use your natural range of motion and let you cut the hair in a more comfortable position that you can easily adjust to minimize the risk of injuring yourself. 
  
  Keep in mind that while some people love their swivel shears, others can't get used to them, especially if they are used to using different types. However, the choice is yours, and if you feel like this type could boost your hairdressing experience, then give them an honest try.
• Short blade cutting scissors. Just as the name suggests, short blade cutting scissors have blades that are significantly shorter when compared with other models, which shouldn’t come as a surprise. This type is commonly used for precision cutting.
• Long blade cutting scissors. On the other hand, long blade cutting scissors feature long blades. They're a popular choice for many barbering techniques, including over the comb.
• Hair thinning shears. These shears have two different blades, one with teeth and one without. The teeth on one side help you separate the hair into even sections. The spacing of the teeth impacts the size of the sections which, in turn, has an influence on the final effect you create by using a specific type of best thinning shear.
  
  This type of hair cutting scissors can be used on almost all types of hair - long, short, thick, and thin, which is pretty great. You can use them to get rid of the excess weight of the hair, smoothly blend in the lines, and create a soft, diffused shape.

Hair thinning scissors can be divided into three categories, depending on the number of teeth. You can use them interchangeably, depending on the wishes of your clients and the effect you want to get. The three types include:

• Chunking shears. This type has between 7 to 15 teeth. Thanks to this wide setting, you can remove the excess weight of the hair quickly and effortlessly. Remember that the wider the spacing, the bolder and more defined the cuts will be. Be careful and proceed with caution, especially if you're not used to such products.
• Finishing shears. They have between 15 to 22 teeth. This type is the best if you want to smooth the ends of a cut. With finishing shears, you’ll be able to get that soft, seamless, and blended finish that clients adore.
• Texturizing shears. They usually have 25 teeth, but there are models that feature even more. This type is perfect for precise, intricate cuts and finishing touches. If you want to have better control and make a haircut look light and airy, we recommend treating it with your trusty texturizing scissors.

Left-Handed Scissors

If you're left-handed, you've probably had to deal with items designed specifically for right-handed people more often than you care to admit. However, just as you would expect, in the line of work of a professional barber or a hairdresser, it makes a huge difference. Sure, you could learn to use right-handed tools, but the thing is - you don't have to! That’s because many of the products mentioned previously come in the left-handed version.

What makes left-handed scissors so different? Well, they have their blades reversed, meaning that the top blade is always on the left side. This way, you can always see your cutting line, which is, well, pretty important. Additionally, this setup allows you to naturally squeeze your hand and push the blades together. No more bending the hair in between the blades! With left-handed shear sets and individual scissors, each and every cut will be perfectly clean and precise.

The list doesn't end there! You might have heard that left-handed people can’t do anything right, but it doesn’t have to be the case if you get right equipment. However, it just goes to show how intricate a hairdresser's work can be. If you want to become a professional, you need to have different types of hair cutting scissors like both right or left handed scissor. However, that’s not all. You also need to know how to use them correctly! It's your best bet to gain new clients and keep your old ones satisfied with every haircut you give them.

How to Maintain Your Hairdressing Scissors

Regardless of the types of cuts you'll be doing for your clients, your hair cutting scissors, shears, and sets, along with other accessories, are the tools that you’ll use on a daily basis. Their quality will affect your clients’ satisfaction, and it's more than likely that you've invested a lot to complete your collection.

Some people believe that hairdressers are as good as their hair cutting equipment. We think that you'll get the best chance to have a successful career when you combine your hairdressing skills and tons of practice with professional, high-quality tools. However, that’s not by any means all. If you want to create amazing hairstyles and see the astonished faces of your clients time and time again, you need to take good care of your hair cutting shears and scissors. All types, shapes, and materials are important and require proper maintenance if you want to give your clients the best haircuts every time they visit your salon. That's why we prepared a short list of the important aspects of the maintenance of professional hairdressing and barber equipment:

• Cleaning. As simple as it may sound, proper cleaning is the most important step in hairdressing equipment maintenance. If you haven't developed this habit yet, you need to try extra hard, or your equipment won’t last you as long. The best thing you can do is to clean your scissors after each use. When you're done with a haircut, wipe all the scissors you've been using with a soft, clean cloth. This way, you'll reduce the build-up of harmful and toxic chemicals that come into contact with your equipment. Keep that in mind, and your scissors will serve you just right.
  
  A build-up of old hair, chemicals, dust, moisture, and styling residue will sooner or later lead to corrosion, and the blades will no longer work as smoothly as usual. The solution? Make sure you clean your tools regularly, preferably right after you're done cutting hair.
• Lubrication. Cleaning all types of your hairdressing scissors is one thing. However, that’s not all. You also need to make sure they're lubricated. This step is easy to overlook, we are aware of that, and yet it's extremely effective in prolonging the life of your hairdressing shears. Okay, what do you need to do? First, clean your scissors and make sure they're completely dry. Then, open the blades to a 90-degree angle and apply a drop of scissor oil to the pivot area. Trust us, it's the best way to get rid of hair, dirt, and debris from under the pivot. Additionally, you create a layer that protects your scissors from corrosion and moisture.
  
  Keep in mind, though, that you need to use scissor oil, and not an ordinary oil. These commercially sold types are based on petroleum, which leaves a sticky residue that can destroy your scissors. On the other hand, scissor oil is designed to protect and maintain the blades and other moving parts - and it doesn't contain impurities like sulfur, waxes, or unstable hydrocarbons.
• Balancing. If you want each cut to be flawless and precise, you need to check the tension of your scissors regularly. The inadequate balance may result in you bending and folding the hair with your scissors if the tension is too loose, and that would be bad. However, if it's too tight, your hands will get tired quickly while using a pair of scissors, and the blades may get prematurely worn down around the edges.
  
  Thankfully, you can easily check by yourself whether your shears are properly balanced. How? Hold up your chosen pair of scissors with their tips pointing upwards. Lift one handle up to a 90-degree angle. Then, let go of the handle. If the blades close too quickly, it means the tension is too loose. If they close with difficulties, it's too tight. Okay, and what about the solution? Whenever you're servicing your hairdressing tools and ask for sharpening, don't forget to request re-balancing as well.
• Sharpening. This one's a no-brainer, and yet many people keep using dull shears to cut hair, why oh why. If you want to create great hairstyles, you need to ensure your scissors are sharp. Whenever you notice that as you cut hair, your shears pull, fold, or catch it - it's time to get in touch with a sharpening service, preferably as quickly as possible.
  
  A good rule of thumb is to get your scissors serviced at least once every 6 to 24 months. The frequency depends on how often you use a certain type of shears, the quality of materials, which techniques you prefer, whether you cut wet, dry, thin or thick hair, and many others. Yes, that’s quite a lot of factors, which is why this frequency might differ considerably. In some cases, your scissors might even show signs of wear and tear after a period of time shorter than 6 months. If that’s the case, you know what to do.
• Storage. Last but certainly not least, you need to find a cool, dry place to safely store your scissors. It's not advisable to leave them lying around as they could get damaged, and let’s not forget that you would be creating a potentially dangerous situation, which is why it’s best to avoid that. As such, you should consider purchasing a dedicated case for your hairdressing equipment.
  
  You can pick a small case if you don't plan on carrying too many items. However, you can opt for something bigger, especially if you want to store an entire set inside and fit in additional hair accessories, which definitely would be nice. Your choice can be highly customizable - you can pick the size, color, finish, and material so that it won’t only be useful but also great-looking! Most importantly, a case for your hairdressing scissor sets and individual products will help you keep your items perfectly organized.

These are the most important points you need to implement if you want to prolong the life of your hair cutting shears and scissors. It’s worth it! Feel free to create a checklist and ensure you cover all the steps as you keep using your hairdressing equipment. It's good to have a lifetime warranty, but since you've invested (or you're going to invest) so much in professional tools, you should also put effort into keeping them in the best condition.

The Don'ts of Hair Cutting Tools Maintenance

Now you know what you should do to keep your hair cutting shears in pristine condition. However, that’s not all! Below, you'll find a no-go zone of hairdressing equipment and its maintenance:

• It’s rather obvious, but we feel that we must repeat it: avoid carelessly tossing around your professional equipment. Don't drop it on the floor or leave it lying around, either. Chances are it wasn't cheap, so treat it accordingly!
• Avoid hair cutting if your scissors are nicked and dull. You'll end up bending or pulling the hair instead of creating nice, clean lines, and your clients will be sad or angry, though probably both.
• Don't use your scissors while they're dirty, and don't put them away unless you clean them first. That’s non-negotiable.
• Don't put them away if they're still wet.
• Don't use any sterilization liquid, perm, or color solution around your hairdressing scissors. If they come into contact with toxic chemicals, the chemicals may damage your tools and cause corrosion, and you wouldn’t want that!
• Don't leave your hairdressing tools unchecked for a long time. You need to make sure they're sharp and have the correct tension at all times. Also, don't forget to service them between 6 to 24 months.

This list is, by no means, conclusive. However, it's a great starting point for every professional barber and hairdresser. If you learn to take good care of your hair cutting equipment and know what kinds of behavior to avoid, you'll be able to use it for years to come, and all your haircuts will be flawless, and it’s the least that we might ask for.

Our Brands

Here at Scissor Tech, we believe that mastering any hair cutting technique will be easier if you invest in high-quality equipment dedicated to the professionals. That's why we want to make sure that you have access to a wide range of hairdressing tools from well-known, reputable brands, such as Matsui, Yasaka, or Joewell (Know all about Joewell Shears). If you want to complete your inventory, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. On our website, you'll find different types of shears, ever so convenient hair cutting sets and kits, cases, and other accessories. They have all been designed to satisfy the needs of the most demanding customers, and the reputation and history of the brands featured on our website speak for themselves. Made from high-quality materials and, in many cases, prime Japanese steel or various alloys, they're bound to fit in the hand of a professional. They will make your hairdressing experience so much better, and your clients will be amazed by your hair transformations.

We know that the wide range of the best hair cutting shears, along with additional features and favorable prices or sales deals, don't make your choice any easier. In case you have any doubts or can't find the product you're looking for, don't hesitate to contact us. We'll gladly answer all your questions and help you make decisions regarding hairdressing equipment.