A hairdresser's scissors are their trademark. They make the difference between a good cut and a great one. After seeing a myriad of pretty, sleek and simple scissors at this year’s Hair Expo, myhairdressersearch thought it was time to ask an expert what to look for in a great pair of scissors.
We spoke to Tim Payne, Managing Director, Scissorsmith at Excellent Edges.
What’s important in buying scissors?
Always buy scissors from a trusted and reputable company and know what you are buying. To the untrained eye, cast and forged scissors are very similar, so be careful. A cast scissor does not stay sharp long and will have a very short lifespan.
How do you get the most out of your scissors?
Allocating work between several dedicated scissors allows each type of scissors to perform to their best and hold their edges without excessive wear. For example, if you blunt cut with a slicing scissor you will wear your edge out far quicker than using a proper dedicated blunt cutter. A kit of scissors will generally include a blunt cutter, a slicing/sliding scissor, an all rounder and a texturiser. A kit like this will last a year or more between services which in turn increases the lifespan of the scissor.
What should you watch out for when buying scissors?
Cheap imitations. A top end scissor with a cheap price tag is generally going to be a cast copy and will not perform like the real scissor.
What is the relationship between a great hairdresser and their scissors?
In an ideal world, a pair of scissors should be an extension of a hairdresser's hand, that’s why choosing from a broad range is so important, to accommodate all hairdressers. Once the best suited scissor kit is found, treated with respect and looked after really well, they will give years of service.
Should hairdressers buy Australian or is European better?
I would definitely buy Australian over any European brand of scissor. Australian blades made from quality Japanese steels are some of the finest in the world.
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