How To Choose Hair Scissors By Size & Style

by Jun Oh April 03, 2023 5 min read

How To Choose Hair Scissors By Size & Style

Presently, the various types and brands of hair scissors available are so many.

A lot of people would pick a brand they know and are confident in and maintain its usage. However, if you would like to know more on how to choose scissors then you are in the right place. Irrespective of how many types or brands of hair scissors that are available today, the trick has always been in learning how to decide on the best pair of hairdressing scissors that suits either a beginner or an expert.

This article covers all the answers and explanations to questions concerning the choice of hair scissors including; the size, style/handle, materials and scissor blade.

What Size Hair Scissor Should you Purchase?

A picture of the different types of hairdressing scissors

Below are steps you should follow to get the right measurement of your hair scissor size before you go online to shop for a new pair of hairdressing scissors:

  • Get an old pair of hairdressing scissors or a ruler can suffice.
  • Place it on the left palm of your hand.
  • Measure the entire hair scissors or ruler against the palm of your hand.
  • Either the tip of the blade or rule should be placed on the end of your middle finger.
  • Measure the blade of ruler against your middles finger.

This would give you an idea of the right size for you.

If your middle finger is covered completely by the ruler, and the result is let’s say 2 inches, the most suitable scissor for you would be a 5 inches scissor. With a 5” scissors, the blade might be 2 to 3 inches and the length of the entire scissors including the handle will be 5 inches.

Although you can still make use of a larger pair of hairdressing scissors with ease.

For ladies with smaller hands, a 5” to 5.5” should be enough.

While for those with larger hands like the men, a 6” to 6.5” should be enough.

The Different Kinds Of Scissor Handles You Can Choose From

Classic Handle: The level of this handle is flat (the upper and lower blades are aligned), both rings line up each other, and has minimal ergonomics. These are the most common and traditional style of scissors.

Offset Handle: the angle of this handle has a little offset, and has a short handle shank with the thumb ring, giving you a very comfortable position as you cut. The bottom ring and the top ring are not in alignment with each other, but has great ergonomics.

Crane Handle: has a straight handle and the bottom ring and the handle shank are angled downwards. With the best ergonomics amongst the others, it offers the most comfort while cutting and is the top choice in the Canadan and New Zealand hair industry presently.

Hairdressing scissors give people and idea of the how you cut and your style of cutting in the salon. It is important to know the right pair of scissors before investing in it. But what’s more important is your knowledge of each part of the shear and the table itself because different scissors give different haircuts.

Hair Scissor Blades

If what you want is scissors for beginners so you can practice with them on mannequins, or for students and apprentice hairdressers/barbers, then go for the serrated scissors (micro serrated scissors), because they have a better grip on the hair and create an easy straight haircut.

But if you want a scissors for professional hairdressing, barber or hair scissors, the convex edge blades is the best choice for you. The edges are perfect and produce the smoothest and sharpest cuts, and are suitable for slice cutting and chopping.

How you hold your scissors determines the creativity of your cuts. Knowing how to mix up your cutting style with the way you hold the hairdressing scissors is important. And your ability to understand the type of scissors that matches your cutting styles and techniques is what makes you exceptional from other hairdressers in the salon or barbershop.

How to Hold a Hairdressing Scissors

If you hold the hairdressing scissors in a vertical position to cut in a straight-line, then you will have to maintain the vertical position completely. The type of scissors that is recommended for this position is the Offset Scissors as a result of their angle and ability to keep you hand in a comfortable and natural position while you cut.

For a blunt cut (that is bobs and one length), your hairdressing scissors will need to be placed flat on the neck of your client. And so to achieve this, both your hands and fingers will have to be positioned in such a way that your fingers are not in the way as you cut. The most suitable scissor type for these type of cutting styles is the crane hairdressing scissors. To achieve a deep point cutting style, you would have to hold your elbow up high so that the scissors are straight.

The best hairdressing scissors for this style is the classic straight hairdressing scissors.

For intricate precision work with neat line around the edges of your client’s hairlines, then a fine or narrow scissors with perfect edges is what you need.

When Is The Best Time To Sharpen Hair Scissors?

If you ensure that your scissors are maintained regularly and kept in perfect working conditions, the efficiency of your cuts/services is guaranteed. When your scissors are sharp and in good shape, the cuts you give your clients’ will be neat and sharp.

Fact is when asked “when the best time to sharpen your hairdressing scissors is?” the answer is not definite becomes it depends on how often the experts make use of the scissors and the blade type (either convex or bevel edge scissors).

But basically, all types of hairdressing scissors should be sharpened and serviced at least once a yearly to keep it properly maintained. However, make sure that you take your scissors to a place where they have experience in sharpening hairdressing scissors so you don’t damage your tools.

It is the duty of the hairdresser and barber to maintain the hairdressing scissors with oil and clean cloth to ensure durability.

So What Hairdressing Scissors Should I Buy?

For professional hairdressing scissors, the following are the best recommendations:

  • Juntetsu Offset Hair Cutting and Thinning Set with Japanese Steel.
  • Ichiro Offset Hairdressing Cutting and Thinning Scissors 6 inches.
  • Yasaka Offset Handle Hairdressing Shears (5.5 inches and 6 inches).

If you are looking for barber’s scissors checkout the following:

  • Mina Sakura 7 inches barber scissors
  • Yasaka 7 inches barber scissors, Japan
  • Ichiro K10 7 inches hair cutting and barber scissors.

Conclusion

The best hair scissors in Canada is different for every professional hairdresser and barber. When choosing the right pair of hairdressing scissors, you need to get the right size that suits your hands and cutting style.

For over comb haircutting styles, its better for you to choose a longer barber scissor of 7” inches, and for point haircutting techniques, you will need a short blade around 5.5” or 6” inches in size.

Offset ergonomic handles also helps relieve any stress while hairdressing or barbering due to its more natural fit into your hand.

Let us know your thoughts on how to choose a pair of hair scissors in Canada!

Jun Oh
Jun Oh



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