With so many options in the market, it becomes increasingly confusing to get the best hairdressing scissors. Plus, hairdressing scissors aren’t that highly regulated. This means that you can get tricked into purchasing low-quality tools. That’s why you should be particular as far as the type of equipment to purchase. Here are key guidelines to help you choose the best ciseaux de coiffure (hairdressing scissors) from the market.
Premium Quality Scissors
Every barber or hairdresser needs a pair of scissors to execute their work. And the current market is now flooded with different types of scissors. With all these options, it can get a bit confusing to choose what’s best suited for your needs. How do you pick the best pair? Well, this article will delve into various factors that can help improve your chances of purchasing the right hairdressing scissors.
Blades
When shopping around for hairdressing scissors, take time to figure out how they’ll perform. Check the material they’re fabricated with and only settle for what you’re comfortable with. Over that past years, scissor manufacturing techniques have significantly improved and they’re now available in different types of materials. Here are some of the most common materials utilized in professional hairdressing scissors.
Cobalt & Nickel Alloys
This type of scissor is extremely hard and sturdy. However, it’s also very brittle. Due to this, scissors made of nickel and cobalt alloys tend to have a shorter lifespan. Plus, they also tend to lose their sturdiness after a few sharpening episodes. Regardless of all this, these scissors are quite convenient for the novice hairdresser as they’re often competitively price and make incredible starter scissors.
420 and 440c Stainless Steel
420 & 440c are an effective compromise between cutting-edge professional scissors and cobalt alloy hairdressing scissors. They’re highly reliable and have a medium price range. Basically, the stainless steel utilized for making the scissors usually goes through tempering to make it as strong and durable as possible. And this process also gives the equipment an increased level of resistance to knocks thus extending their life.
Molybdenum Alloy
Molybdenum is a popular type of steel that’s often found in the top of the scissors. It’s uniquely designed to offer unmatched strength as well as durability. When hardened properly, it can offer the same strength as cobalt alloys and will maintain its durability for a longer period of time. It’s also resistant to chips and nicks.
Scissors Blades: The Types
Once you’ve found the best material type for your hairdressing scissors, it’s time you start thinking about the nature of blades. Generally speaking, there are two common types of blades you may want to consider and these include:
Beveled Edged Blades
These scissors are commonly found in the cheaper price ranges. And this is simply because beveled edges don’t usually perform advanced cutting techniques like slide cutting. Of course, they can cut so well but they require you to apply more force than convex blades since they can’t achieve a greater level of blade sharpness as their counterparts.
But the good news is that they’re less prone to chips plus nicks resulting from knocks and dropping.
Convex Edge Blades
Convex edges are perhaps the sharpest blades you can ever find. They’re commonly found in professional hairdressing scissors and they boast a smoother cutting action. This, in turn, allows you to perform advanced haircutting techniques such as slide cutting. So, if you’re an experienced hairdresser, these blades have got you covered.
Almost all Japanese scissors feature the convex edge and the cut is always superb. However, it’s also important to note that these scissors are highly prone to chips as well as nicks. And in case they’re dropped, it can cost you quite a lot to reset and rebalance
Tempering and Shaping
When shopping around for hairdressing scissors, it’s also important to check how they’re shaped and forged. These processes usually have a direct impact on scissor’s edge as well as strength. Typically, there are three common types of shaping and forging.
Scissors Casting
Perhaps this is one of the most popular and affordable ways to produce hairdressing scissors. Hot liquid metal is poured into a mold. It’s then cooled until it becomes hard. The scissors manufactured during this process will be strong and highly durable.
Drop Forging
In this process, a weighted mold is usually dropped onto a hot steel bar. The alloy is then pulverized into the desired shape, making the metal denser. This density then allows the scissors to hold their edge for a longer period and they become more durable.
Cryogenic Tempering
This is the ultimate method of scissor shaping as well as tempering. To achieve the best results, the temperature of steel is often reduced to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. This pulls its molecules into a tightly compacted form and once the steel is gradually returned to room temperature, the molecules will start to relax and separate into a uniformly spaced structure that’s both strong and highly durable.
Ergonomics
Another aspect to consider before purchasing our scissors is the ergonomics. This basically refers to how comfortable the scissors are. It entails things like their lightness, portability, shape, and size.
Ergonomics is extremely important due to the dangers of repetitive injury strain (RSI) and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Though most high-end hairdressing scissors are often designed with portability in mind, it’s always advisable to check that the one you’re considering is both lightweight and comfortable.
You should always consult with an experienced professional for expert advice on their preferences as far as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and RSI are concerned.
Factors to Consider Before Purchasing Professional Hairdressing Shears
Finding the right hair cutting sheers isn’t always a simple task. With so many options available in today’s market, you may find it challenging to make the best choice. Here are some of the factors to consider before making your final decision.
Size
Choosing the right size when it comes to shears is important. Remember, you will be holding the shears with your heads. Thus, choose the size that perfectly fits into your hands. Also, they should be comfortable to hold. Don’t go for too small or too large shears. While too small shears might end up limiting your range, those that are too large will negatively affect the cutting motion of your hands.
Normally, standard shears measure 5.5 inches. Most shears that are used to teach learners are of standard size. However, if your hands are large, go for shears measuring 6.5-inch.
Also, it’s important to consider the finder rings size. The best way to check this is by sliding your finger into the ring. However, don’t let your handle surpass your second knuckle. Ensure that the thumb ring extends past your thumb.
Even more, the size you choose may also depend on the job you are undertaking. For instance, if you want to achieve better point cutting precision, it’s advisable to go for shorter shears. In a nutshell, you should choose shears that you have better control over.
The Type of Cutting Shears
There are different types of shears. This means that you will choose a specific type that suits your explicit needs. Here is a highlight regarding different types of shears.
Straight Shears
With straight shears, you have a do-it-all salon tool you can use. Ideal for both professional stylists and DIY hairdressers, straight shears can be used in a myriad of cutting jobs. It is important to note that professional shears come in 2 types. They include long and short shears.
Smaller straight based shears are ideal for those looking to pull hair up using the fingers. This is because their smaller blades minimize the risks of going the extreme (cutting excessively or even crookedly). Plus, you can count on smaller shears when it comes to cutting around your ears as well as the neck’s back. The best thing with these shears is that they give you better control over the cutting process.
On the other hand, longer straight shears are ideal in instances involving the lifting of the hair using a comb during the cutting process. This is because they are larger in nature. Thus, they tend to cover more surface—resulting in more efficiency. You should also note that these types of shears tend to be heavier than their smaller counterparts. This, you can use them to cut wetter and thicker hair.
Thinning Shears
These shears are ideal for cutting bulker and thicker hair. Ideal for achieving most men’s hairstyles, thinning shears come in two types. They include:
- Shears with smaller teeth—these are used to trim and texture very thick hair. They have 28 teeth.
- Shears with more teeth—these are used to blend, taper, and add texture to your hair.
Other factors
Other factors to consider include:
- Material
- The handle
- The blades
The Bottom-Line
You have worked hard for that money. Finally, you have decided to invest it in hairdressing scissors. That’s why you should get the most out of your money. And it begins with the choice you make. Don’t purchase any scissors. Get the best one. Follow the above guide and land a dependable, effective, and durable hairdressing scissors.
