Hairdressing scissors: varieties and tips for choosing

Hairdressing scissors - the main tool of any haircutter. The quality and ergonomics of hairdressing tools significantly affects the final result of the work and the image of the client.

The cutting tools for hairdressers differs from household ones in the material of manufacture, structurally and in form.

For the production of scissors, high-quality steel is used, capable of maintaining a degree and a proper sharpening angle for a long time. In this case, two types of sharpening are used - with convection angle (38 °) and straight (up to 50 °).

Professional tools for haircuts are equipped with a special screw group - a system of special clamping elements to ensure smooth running of the cutting elements. In the arsenal of a professional, products with special micro notches are used that keep the curls from sliding off the surface of the blades. The shapes of handles and rings are varied, which make the tool convenient for long-term work.

In the arsenal of an experienced master, as a rule, there are a minimum 3 types of hairdressing scissors:

• straight, directly used for regular haircuts, including for curly hair;
• thinning;
• hot.

Various types of tool shapes are also used:

• classic
• displaced;
• asymmetric.

Classic professional tools assume the symmetry of the arrangement of both rings and blades of the same length. The form is convenient for masters with thin fingers, adherents of the classical style.

Offset forms allow to remove excessive load and reduce the level of friction.

Asymmetric shapes rings relieve stress, but not all are suitable. For the most part, they allow you to choose the model that most closely matches the individual anatomical features of the structure of the hand of the master. Therefore, they require fitting.

The purpose of thinning scissors is thinning and shaving of hair. Tools are equipped with teeth in one or two blades. Often, young specialists choose bilateral products, since in the process of working, the risk is reduced to remove more hair than is required. Nonetheless, single-sided models have an easier stroke, which makes it possible to perform a haircut with less stress on the hair.

Hot scissors - products with a built-in element heating up to 90 degrees, which when cutting, you can avoid structural defects of the hair, their section.

To obtain high-quality slices in a slice, you need a device with sharp edges. A suitable option for this would be products with convection sharpening. The canvases of these scissors are convex, and the thickness of the sharpened edge is comparable to the diameter of the hair.

Products for sliding sections are usually produced in Japan. A special type of sharpening of the paintings provides shaving of hair. The canvases used to make such slices are polished, and their inner side is sharpened using special technologies. The cutting surface is quite wide, the blades are arcuate in shape.

The non-standard use of a non-leading arm leads to the rapid fatigue of the hands, which means a decrease in the level of working capacity. therefore most well-known brands produce devices for left-handed masters, the difference of which is the position of the blades - the left is located above the right, and the notch for the thumb is at the bottom.

The indisputable leader in quality and consumer properties of hairdressing devices are manufacturers from Japan. Although Japanese products are expensive, they have excellent characteristics due to the use of high-quality steel in combination with high technologies and deep traditions of manual production of cutting tools.

We note several Japanese and not only companies that produce high-quality professional hairdressing tools.

• Tayo. The company's products are used in the most famous salons around the world. The range is represented by several collections, from classic to premium models. Prices - from 4000 rubles.

• Hinshitsu, Mizuka. Produce high quality premium products.

• Kedake Represents Japanese quality at budget prices. An excellent working tool with the use of micro-bearings, allowing the mechanism to smoothly work and extend its life. The company has been on the market for about 10 years. The cost of tools is $ 65-297. A significant difference from other brands was the favorable ratio of known parameters in terms of design and ergonomics, as well as prices and quality levels. Kedake products are made from 440-C steel. Micro bearings in products began to be used since 2004.

• Mizutani. A brand whose motto is “Functionality, Quality and Beauty”. Products justify it.

• Joewell Guaranteed Japanese quality at very affordable prices. The tool is used by both beginners and experienced professionals.It is made at Tokosha factory.

• Dewal. The Russian-German brand that produces excellent products at affordable prices. Emphasis is placed on ergonomics and design. Prices - from 2300 rubles.

• Zinger. A well-known German brand, constantly monitoring the quality of its products and the nuances of their assembly.

• Jaguar. Products from this brand stand out for their high German quality. The company offers a decent warranty period. Scissors are characterized by strict ergonomic and design solutions. Devices are wearproof and unpretentious in leaving. Prices - from 5000 rubles. Products do not need frequent sharpening, since special high manufacturing technologies provide the necessary sharpness and strength of scissors for a long time.

• Suntachi. South Korean brand manufacturing Japanese stainless steel products. Scissors are distinguished by manual high-precision sharpening and a unique screw mechanism.

• Mertz. Inexpensive German-made models with plastic handles. Their cost starts from 100 rubles, high-quality options - from 1000 rubles.

• Kapous. The Russian brand, on the market for 10 years, produces high-quality toolkits.

• Mustang. Produces a special line of Mustang Base scissors from a domestic company. They are convenient and practical for both beginners and experienced craftsmen. In this series, quality X12 steel is used, which has decent hardness, which is sharpened with confidence and remains sharp for a long time.

According to the rating from Salonoff, particular groups of goods from firms are in special demand:

• Mizutani;
• Hinshitsu;
• Supreme
• Suntachi;
• Kedake;
• Dewal;
• Mertz;
• Kapous;
• PNG.

When choosing a hairdressing tool, it is important to consider a number of criteria.

• Before choosing a product, it is important to clearly understand for which haircuts it is purchased. So, scissors with small notches on the canvases are used for men's haircuts. They prevent hair from slipping. Smooth, non-scalloped webs contribute to the sliding cut, often used in women's haircuts.

• The material affects the life and quality of preservation of the original sharpening. The metal used for hairdressing tools is high carbon steel. To give the best strength parameters to the product, alloys with the addition of molybdenum, tungsten, and vanadium are used.

• Correct sharpening - guarantee of productive and competent work. It is worth paying attention to the angle of sharpening, which should be maintained from 38 to 50 degrees.

• An important parameter is the shape of the scissors and the lengths of the cutting ends. Experienced craftsmen share direct, surgical, saber, ergonomic models, choosing the length of the blades depending on the specifics of the haircut. For many typical and uncomplicated haircuts, models with blades 5-5.5 inches long are suitable.

• The width of the canvas products are different. Wide ones are more suitable for making sliding slices, and narrow ones are more suitable for shading and precise slices.

• Comfortability of use should ensure long-term operation without fatigue of fingers and hands.

• The smooth movement of the canvases allows you to avoid defects in the hairstyle.

• A number of products provide for rubber pads in the rings, which are convenient to adapt to thin fingers, which contributes to overall comfort in work.

• It is important to pay attention to special finger rests. This device greatly facilitates the work and reduces fatigue of the hands. Trying the stop will not be superfluous. In some models, the stops are installed in removable versions.

• Professional high-quality products are not cheap. Not too expensive models will suit beginners.

• The size of the teeth in thinning scissors varies.Thin and not very thick hair is cut with scissors with thin teeth, and thick curls with thick teeth. It is better for the master to have both options.

• Left-handed people should choose products for left-handed people. The difference is that the left blade is placed under the right, and the stop point for the thumb is located below. This greatly facilitates the work of the wizard.

• It is necessary to check the state of tightening of the screw. To verify:
  • take the product by one ring and direct the corresponding blade up;
  • take with the other hand the second ring and take it vertically upwards, almost 90 degrees;
  • release the second ring, under its weight the blades will close, and the degree of their closure will show the desired value. The distance between the clamping screw group of the product and the point of free closure of the paintings should be exactly half their length.

When choosing a product according to the material of manufacture, it is important to consider the type of steel marking. The best tool has a hardness index of 58-62 HRC. With an increase in the index, the working properties of the product improve, but the fragility of the product also increases.

Speaking about the screw group, it is important to consider that 3 types of screws are used.

1. Screws for individual adjustment of a flat shape. Such a screw is made without convex parts, so it does not interfere with the freedom of movement of the blades. Allows you to customize the degree of blade travel. You can use a coin to set it up.
2. Universal screws for fine adjustment (protrude slightly above the web). Allow you to adjust the smoothness of the blades manually, without accessories. The setting is ensured by the free movement of the screw within certain limits. They have a locking and tensioning function that prevents it from swinging.
3. Lubricated micro bearing device for which a special polymer is used, provides the required degree of slip during operation. The system facilitates the work process and effectively supports the mechanism without proper care for a long time.

No matter how perfect the product may be, it may require special individual correction according to the characteristics of the specialist’s hand. Therefore, it is worthwhile to immediately choose scissors that provide for simple adjustment of the stroke parameters and the speed of closing and opening of the blades. To do this, special plastic pads on the rings are used, which prevent sliding of the fingers and make it possible to change the size of the rings.

Professionals are advised to purchase expensive handmade products. As a rule, they are more perfect at work.

A professional tool is a complex mechanism that is influenced by many factors. Therefore, care for scissors is very important, it will ensure a long term of operation.

1. Avoid mechanical impact and shock. Having dropped the product, you do not need to continue to work with it - it can be disabled, and the resulting defect will not be easy to fix. It is better to immediately contact a specialist who will carefully check and correct everything. In most cases, service centers are able to provide the necessary assistance.
2. Regularly monitor the degree to which the canvases are pressed. Too pressed blades not only complicate the work, but also due to increased friction lead to the development of mating surfaces.A similar effect appears when the clamping screws are loosened, when an unwanted play forms between the webs. In this case, the clamping group fails, and with the seemingly mild stroke there is no possibility of making the right cut.
3. Hold the tool correctly - it means to correctly apply it and to cut it with dignity. For the correct grip should:
   • insert a ring finger into the lower ring;
   • to cover the instrument with a full palm;
   • the thumb should rest against the ring, and the instrument should lie on a relaxed palm.

With this classic capture, work begins and ends. In practice, there are many ways to grab, they depend on the haircut of the client and the experience of the master. Individual craftsmen get used to holding scissors not quite right, using their individual tricks. If this does not affect the quality of work, then various nuances are acceptable.

At the end of the work, close the canvases and place the tool in the case, on a stand or simply on a soft cloth. This is an extremely relevant point. It is important to close the scissors at the onset of any breaks, and they must be placed on a flat surface covered with a soft cloth, and preferably suede.

Do not sharpen the products yourself or give them to the pseudo-masters who come to the salon and offer their services. Such a risk usually leads to disastrous results. It is important to understand that other types of scissors can not be compared with professional hairdressing tools.

The screw groups in your scissors should not be taken apart. This is a lesson for professionals. Here, any spring or gasket plays a role in the operation of the mechanism. Even minor damage can adversely affect work results.

Do not bring the tool to its complete unsuitability. With careful and regular care, it will last a long time.

It is important to know that sterilization of devices cleans them of microflora and dangerous hepatitis viruses and HIV. Disinfection of tools does not kill all infectious agents, but only reduces the number of microbes on the products, significantly reducing the risk of infection. Disinfect and sterilize instruments are required by law in every salon.

On how to choose hairdressing scissors, see further.