Choosing an ideal pair of hair shears is arguably the most important part of the haircutting process. A good tool acts as an extension of your own body. This is also the case with hair shears as they help the barbers in creating magic with their hands and provide their customers with the best haircuts possible. So, when you are looking to buy a pair of hair shears, it is important that you keep all these factors into account.
A good hair shear is one that strikes a perfect balance between longevity, quality, price, and usefulness. They should also be comfortable to hold and use so that there are no risks of any mistakes or injuries during the haircutting process. In addition to this, there are a plethora of other factors that are needed to be considered when you are looking to buy hair shears and here we will discuss these factors in detail;
Material Used in the Manufacturing of the Shears
All hairdressing shears are made with stainless steel. Usually, stainless steel from Japan and Germany is preferred. However, out of these two, the steel outsourced from Japan is the best scissor steel in the entire world. This makes Japanese steel the standard when it comes to measuring the quality of the material used in a shear.
However, there are many times that hair cutting shears are advertised to be manufactured using Japanese steel but in reality, they are made using cheap materials. So, when you decide to buy hair shears, it is important that you properly examine the shears to make sure that they are not made with knock-off material and that you are getting the best value for your money.
Length of the Shears
The length of the shears is commonly measured from the tip of the blade to the end of the longest finger hole that is present on the shears. When measured like this the typical length of the shears is between 5 to 6.5 inches. Whether you choose a shear with a long blade or a short one is entirely dependent on your personal preference and the type of hair cutting.
However, if you are just starting out as a barber and have no knowledge about how to choose the ideal shears, then there is a simple way of figuring this out. To find the shear length that is best suited for you, simply place a pair of shears on the palm of your hand with the finger hole touching the base of your thumb. The tip of the blade should be touching the last section of your middle finger, and this will determine the ideal shear length for you.
Type of Shears
Before you decide to buy hair shears, it is paramount that you have a clear idea about the type of shears that you are looking for based on your needs and personal requirements. For instance, there are straight or barber shears that are ideally used to cut through the hair and reduce their length. These are the most common types of shears that are used in barbershops.
Other shears that are available include thinning shears which are used to reduce the volume on thicker hair and blending shears that are used to remove a small amount of hair and give them a unique look and texture. The choices are endless so it is easy to get confused if you don’t have a clear vision about the type of shears that you are looking for.
Type of Blade
Haircutting shears are commonly designed using two types of blades; the beveled edge and the convex edge blades. The beveled edge blades are created in a way that the cutting edge is honed into the blade of the sheers. This helps the blades form an angle about a millimeter from the edge that is normally honed on a steeper grade. This steep angle allows the shears to cut more smoothly and easily as compared to shears that have a flat cutting edge.
The convex blades are designed with a shallow arc to the backside of the cutting blade. The blade is then ground to a fine point which creates a thin and smooth cutting edge. Convex blade scissors are better for ensuring a smooth haircut but they are more expensive to purchase and properly maintain. Beveled blades are cheaper to purchase and maintain but they don’t ensure a smooth haircut.
Type of Handle
The type of handle that you would prefer is largely a matter of comfortability and personal preference. There are level or even handled scissors that have two symmetrical handles. These types of handles were used in the traditional shear designs and they are no longer popular because of the strain they put on the hands and shoulders.
- The offset handle shears are designed in a way that one handle is longer than the other. This type of design allows your arm and elbow to be in a lower position when cutting which puts less pressure on them during the haircutting process. An offset handle allows better alignment and positioning of the blades which reduces the stress on your hands and fingers as well.
- The crane handle features a curved grip which makes it the most ergonomic grip in the market today. It is similar to the offset handle in every aspect except for the top handle which is straighter and thus provides a lower elbow position and added comfort.
Conclusion
These are some of the most important factors that you need to consider when you are looking to buy the perfect haircutting shears. A good pair of hair shears is absolutely essential for a perfect haircut. You cannot expect to give your customers a good haircut by using old and blunt shears. Choosing the right hair shears for yourself is the first step in becoming a great professional hairstylist.
The market is flooded with hair shears from different brands which have a different set of advantages. However, picking the shears that are best suited for you can be a long and arduous process but if you decide to follow the above-mentioned steps then you can make this process a lot easier and manageable.
