Best hair cutting scissors – this is our guide to choosing what is right for you
Comfort
Your professional hair cutting scissors must feel comfortable. Comfortable hair cutting shears will reduce strain on hand, wrist and elbow. Reduces strain minimises risk of developing RSI or carpal tunnel syndrome. These are common complaints in hairdressing. To choose best hair cutting scissors it is important to hold your hair cutting scissors correctly.
How to hold a hair cutting scissor
Your little finger sits on finger rest. Next finger in top finger hole. First 2 fingers along stem with your thumb in thumb hole (see images)
Which Style Of Hairdressing Scissor – Straight v Offset
Professional hair cuttingscissor styles
When you choose best hair cutting scissors there are endless styles and shapes available. The main layouts of scissor handle are straight scissors (also known as ‘level set ’, ‘level scissors’ or ‘even handle’) and offset scissors. Straight scissors are a traditional layout with finger and thumb holes set in a straight, level line (see graphic). With offset scissors thumb hole is moved inwards towards the screw of scissor.
In UK hairdressing straight scissors are often popular with barbers. (For independent advice on choosing hairdressing scissors visit: London School Of Barbering – choosing a scissor.) They are often supplied in college kits to hairdressing students in their hairdressing kits. Crane handle scissors are more curved so are an exaggerated version of an offset scissor. Some scissors feature rotating thumb holes for additional flexibility. A straight scissor is a more basic design with which hair stylist’s elbow works from a higher position. An offset scissor enables hairdresser’s elbow to work in a lower and more natural position. This reduces risks of RSI and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (see video below for demonstration). The main thing if you want to choose best hair cutting scissors is to choose a scissor that feels comfortable.
When I choose best hairdressing scissors – what Size Should I Choose?
Measuring a hair cutting scissor
hair cutting
When you choose best hair cutting scissor the size is mainly down to personal preference. The longer the blade, quicker you can cut hair. A barber scissor is often larger than
regular hair cutting scissors. Partly down to speed of the haircut and partly down to average size of a barber’s hand compared to average hair stylist.
There has been a move over the last few years to bigger hair cutting scissorssizes overall. Size of a hair cutting scissor is measured from blade tip to end of the furthest finger hole (not including the finger rest). For example this is a 5.25” scissor:
Hairdressing scissor fitting
A common method of choose best hair cutting scissors is to place the finger hole at the base of your thumb and the tip of the blade should reach the last section of your middle finger. See image.
When I choose best hair cutting scissors – What Cutting Edge Should I Choose
Serrated scissor edge
Serrated scissors or micro serrated scissors: One of scissor’s blades will feature serrations. These grip hair and allow a straight cut with no hair slipping through scissor blades. Serrated scissors are often used by hairdressing students as they are easy to cut and learn with. In order to choose best hair cutting scissors it is important to consider how it will be used. For example barbers often use serrated blades because they last long without sharpening. (Think bread knife!). But – it is not possible to use them for slice cutting or chopping in as they will grip the hair.
Diagram showing the difference between bevelled edge and convex edgehair cutting scissors
Convex edge scissors: (The majority of Glamtech scissors feature convex edges). These are the sharpest and smoothest cutting blades. They provide a cleaner, crisper cut. To choose the best hairdressing scissors for slice cutting and chopping in you can’t beat a convex blade!
When I choose best hair cutting scissors – Should I choose Right Or Left Handed Scissors?
Right handed scissor
Around 12% of UK hairdressers are left handed but the percentage of left handed scissor sales are much smaller. In order to choose best hair cutting scissors it is recommended to choose one suited to your strongest hand. if you are left handed and want to choose the best hair cutting scissor – choose a lefty!
Left handed scissor
This is because many left handed hair stylists use right handed scissors and just get used to them.This is not best practice. A left handed hairdresser should use left handed scissors because the blades are set up to make cutting easier and reduce strain on the hand. Also offset left handed.
For inspiration on the latest hair styles visit: Hairdressers Journal gallery.
