What Are the Best Hair Scissors Available?

For a hair styling professional, hair scissors are the single most valuable tool available. Nearly every appointment will require the use of a pair of high quality hair scissors. There are hundreds of styles of shears and it’s important to choose a set that will work best for you. The type of scissors you use will affect the outcome of each hair cut so it’s important to find a quality pair of scissors.

One of the most obvious visible differences in hair scissors is the finger rest. This is the small piece of metal that sticks out from the finger hole; most stylists use it as a place to rest the pinky when cutting hair. Some scissors have a finger rest and some do not; there are even shears available with a removable finger rest. Using a finger rest does not necessarily affect the style and quality of a cut, and their use is based primarily on a stylist’s preference.

Finger rests have been said to reduce pain and strain in the fingers and wrist when cutting. They reportedly reduce the risk of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) and Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). Some stylists disagree, or report that they do not have problems with either type of injury and that the finger rest has no effect. Once again, its use is based primarily on user preference.

Another visible feature of hair scissors is the thumb ring. Different styles of shears place the thumb ring at different angles and stylists choose based on comfort and preference. Newer styles of hair scissors often come with an adjustable or “swivel” thumb ring to allow the stylist to adjust the ring for comfort and ease. This is especially common among student scissors and training shears because it allows new stylists to experiment with different angles and determine what works best for them.

There are some aspects of hair scissors that are less obvious to the user. For example, the blade style. Two popular styles of blades are the convex and bevel varieties. The convex style is newer and reportedly smoother than the bevel style. Convex blades open and close with less force and are used on nearly all training scissors. This style is required when slide cutting. The bevel style of blade has been available for much longer and it tends to require more force to open and close. This extra force can cause extra strain and lead to CTS or RSI.

The final consideration when purchasing scissors is the tension system. There are five tension systems commonly used in hair shears. The coin adjustable system is the oldest system used today; it’s and industry standard and considered dependable. The round click dial adjustable tensions system is a modification on the coin adjustable system. The dial clicks each time it increases or decreases in tension, providing a way for stylist to gauge their tension. The leaf spring adjustable system features even more modifications that allow for more accuracy and control. It provides more balance on scissors that lead to a longer lasting piece of equipment. There are two ball bearing tensions styles that provide the most stability and accuracy in scissors.

Tension systems allow the stylist to adjust how easily the scissors open and close. If the tension is too loose, the blades will “bend” the hair rather than cut it. If it is too tight, the shears will tear the hair, cut it poorly, and lead to unnecessary damage to the scissors.

Shears are available in a wide range of styles, varieties and prices. It is necessary to consider all of the above factors before selecting a pair of hair scissors to purchase. A stylist should view this purchase as an investment in themselves and in their career.

TCK is an expert on hair scissors and other hair styling tools.

Author Profile: Ben_Frein

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