We believe that we have provided a list of hair cutting scissors that will suit most hair types and provide you with the tools you need for fabulous hair. If you are not sold on any of the above, or can’t access them in your area, you may want to do a little research to find your own perfect pair.
Below, we have listed several factors to consider to ensure you buy the right hair cutting scissors for your hair type and style.
Things to consider before buying hair cutting scissors
Types of scissors
Hair cutting shears are usually extremely sharp. They are perfect for straight cuts, where layering or thinning is not required.
Short-bladed cutting scissors: Short-bladed hair cutting scissors are a good all-rounder. They are great for trimming hair that doesn’t need a lot of styling, and due to their size, they are easy to maneuver. If you are an advanced hairdresser who knows their way around the human head, short-bladed cutting scissors allow you to create precise and detailed cuts. Short-bladed cutting scissors are the most affordable and widely available of all hair cutting scissors.
Texturizing shears: Texturizing shears consist of one regular blade, and one blade with “teeth”. Rather than cutting every strand of hair, the teeth grab it in a way that makes the hair thinner. If you want to thin your hair without losing length, these are the hair cutting scissors for you.
Be careful when using these scissors. If you are not an experienced hairdresser, you may end up with hair looking much thinner than you intended. You should only use texturizing shears to balance a haircut by removing some weight.
Thinning scissors: Thinning scissors are similar to texturizing shears but contain denser teeth. They are used to blend away demarcation. Demarcation is the difference in color between new hair growth and colored hair. It is also where your new hair growth meets your styled hair. Thinning scissors are used to blend the new hair growth into your current style. Thinning scissors soften lines and blend styles. Generally speaking, thinning scissors will only cut half of the hair in their grasp.
Long-bladed barber scissors: Long-bladed barber scissors will cut long, straight lines in your hair. You are more likely to achieve a straight cut with these scissors compared to if you were using some of the smaller blades previously mentioned. As the name suggests, long-bladed barber scissors are mostly used in barbers for styles involving comb-over techniques. They are the perfect tool for creating extreme asymmetrical styles.
Swivel scissors: If you suffer from any kind of hand pain, swivel scissors offer a more accessible hair cutting scissor. You can often get the type of scissors mentioned above in a swivel version— swivel scissors have a rotating thumb hole connected to the blade. The rotating thumb hole allows for more natural movement and will lower the chances of developing repetitive strain injury.
Left-handed scissors: If you are left-handed and use a right-handed pair of scissors, you run the risk of creating split ends. Using right-handed scissors will also make it difficult to achieve the style you desire. There are plenty of left-handed hair cutting scissors available online for left-handed stylists and DIYers.
Handle
If possible, is a good idea to hold the pair of scissors in your hand while searching to see if the handle is a comfortable fit— you don't want to make a purchase only to find out the scissors are uncomfortable. Some hair cutting scissors come with moving rings to reduce friction and pressure on your skin.
Adjustable screws
Adjustable screws are not a necessity when it comes to choosing hair cutting scissors, but they are useful if you want to adjust the tension of your blade.
Steel
Most decent hair cutting scissors are made from stainless steel, usually German or Japanese steel. Hair cutting scissors made from steel will last a very long time; you can find hair cutting scissors made with other metals but they won’t be as effective or durable.
Warranty
If you are buying high-end hair cutting scissors, it won’t hurt to get them covered by a warranty. This is particularly important if you rely on quality hair cutting scissors for work.
Hair cutting kit
If you want to learn some new skills and experiment with new hairstyles, a hair cutting kit may be your best option. These kits normally contain at least two pairs of hair cutting scissors and a number of useful accessories.
Hair cutting scissors price range
You can buy a set of budget hair cutting scissors for as little as $5. However, if you are serious about getting the best of the best, you can easily spend up to $600. If you are not a professional and are just looking for top-quality hair cutting scissors, you should expect to spend about $30-$40.
How we choose our hair cutting scissors
There are lots of things we consider before compiling our hair-cutting scissors recommendation list. Before any product makes it into our top selections, we make sure it passes various tests. We keep in mind the price, durability, construction, and customer reviews. We also try to stay up-to-date and give you the most current advice and suggestions— after all, we want our buying guide to be one you can trust.
Hair Cutting Scissor FAQ
Q: How do I maintain hair cutting scissors?
A: There are several things you can do to ensure the longevity of your hair cutting scissors.
- Oil your scissors every two to three days with a machine or scissor oil
- Keep them wrapped when not in use to prevent damage
- Never use your hair-cutting scissors to cut anything other than hair because you will blunt the blade
- When cleaning your scissors, clean with a brush.
You should also only cut clean, wet hair. This is easier to cut than dry hair and will keep your blades sharper for longer.
Q: How often should I sharpen my hair cutting scissors?
A: If using your scissors regularly, you should sharpen their blade every 6-12 months. If you oil your scissors regularly, you may not need to sharpen them as often.