How many shears should I have?

It's no secret that hairdressers and barbers love to keep a very healthy selection of different types of hairdressing scissors. How much is too many and how few is not enough? Why do you need so many different types of hair cutting scissors?

As a hairstylist you have different hair cutting scissors that give different results and you have some shears that will help achieve a certain cut over another pair of shears.

We truly believe that to know how many different pairs of shears you "should have '' is to know what types of shears that there is on offer. So let's go through the different types of hairdressing scissors. By going through the different types we hope that then you can recognise something you have been lacking or need, then you yourself will know how many you need.

Hair cutting scissors

Your classic haircutting scissors are the style of scissors you will see every hairstylist carry. These scissors can be used for your everyday cuts or even more advanced hair cutting techniques. "Regular" professional hairdressing scissors range in size from 5.5 inches to 6 inches. As a hairstylist these will most likely be your go to scissors! You will want a go to scissor that is great for longer and shorter styles, point cutting, slice cutting and other techniques.

Longer Scissors and Short scissors

A longer shear is usually 6 inches and above. They may not be as popular of a shear design as your regular scissors but the longer lengths serve a great purpose.

You will notice that most barber scissors are 6 inches or above. This is because a barber's main scissor cut is the scissor over comb cutting technique. This technique sections the hair with your comb and removes length. Having a long pair of scissors will make this process faster and more precise.

As a hairstylist, when choosing scissors you may be quick to overlook longer shears. However these may be the right hair shears for you. If you do a lot of blunt cutting or cutting bobs a longer shear will give you exceptional control when trying to achieve a super straight cut. The less times you have to open and close your scissor blades the less room for error and hand fatigue. They can also be used for deep point cutting that a shorter blade will not achieve.

You may also want to consider a shorter scissor. These scissors range in size from 4.5-5.5 inches. They are great for cutting shorter styles. The short blades make it easier to maneuver around the ears or neckline when cutting pixie cuts and other short styles. If you specialise in pixie cuts or mens styled cuts these are the right shears for you.

Thinning scissors

A thinning scissor comes in different sizes and different amounts of teeth. One blade is a regular straight blade while the other one has multiple teeth, usually between 25-40 teeth. These teeth determine how much hair is removed without taking any length away from the cut.

Thinning shears are not only used for removing weight but they are also great for creating texture and adding softness to a cut. You can also use them for techniques like point cutting, to add texture.

Texturizing Scissor

Texturizing scissors, you either love them or hate, but you will only hate them because you simply may not be familiar with them. They are a type of hair cutting scissor that works well for all hairstylists or barbers looking to add texture into a haircut.

The larger teeth give us more of a chunky texture. Texturizing scissors usually have between 7- 20 teeth. This again might sound scary like you will be removing large chunks from the hair but if they are used correctly and on the right client, they can give a great textured look

Slide cutting shears

If you have mastered how to slide cut with classic hairdressing scissors then bravo, but have you ever tried to slide cut with proper slider shears? This is one shear you have been searching for your whole career.

They will slide cut with much more ease because these shears are sharper and the scissor blade has a fine convex edge. This edge pushes the hair to a very sharp finish. Slide cutting is a well known technique for those stylists who cut extensions. If you have alot of extension clients slide cutting scissors are a must in your tool kit.

Choosing a scissor handle

Now that you've decide which scissors you will need, you may also want to consider which handle will suit you best. You may find that if you use your regular hairdressing scissors most, then those should be your most ergonomic scissor.

Ergonomic scissors, simply put, are designed for your ultimate comfort. Hairdressers can be plagued with hand and wrist pain over the years and are very susceptible to carpal tunnel syndrome. This is why choosing a good scissor handle is most important.

We recommend trying out the different options- offset handle, crane handle and swivel scissors. Each will help you stay comfortable through out your day.

So how many should you have?

This all comes down to your personal preference. If maximum comfort and ease are your priority you may find that you accumulate more scissors over time. These various tools can help you achieve every look in the book! Having the right scissors is all about making your life easier and your already amazing cuts, even better ! Reach out to our friendly customer service if you are considering adding some more scissors to your collection!