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Know a good hair cutting scissor brand?

 
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I've been cutting my son's hair since he was a kid. He has some "sensitivities" and going to a barber seems to be one of them!

My mom had bought me hair cutting scissors 30 years ago, but they seem to have suffered a misadventure and sharpening them doesn't seem to help. I suspect that part of the issue is that my son's hair is *really* thick, so I will try some other techniques to help that part, but I think a new pair of scissors is due.

A quick look on the web seems to have "cheap less than $10" scissors and "$400 scissors." OK, I am exaggerating a little, but not that much.

So I thought I'd ask all you wonderful permies if you know of a brand of hair cutting scissors (yes, I do find the curl on the handle helpful for control, so just ordinary household scissors aren't ideal) that you really like.

Yes, I am about ready for him to just grow it out and wear it as a man-bun, but he's working for the coast guard, and that lot's pretty traditional. #2 Son hates standing out. His wife also wouldn't be keen on going the brush cut route, so new scissors it is! The customer's always right???
 
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I don’t know how they compare to other brands. My go to is Fiskars at under $40. To me, that is pretty pricey.
 
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I use dog grooming shears to cut human hair .. mine are low end Kenchii but have more than doubled in price since I bought them 5 or 6 years ago. Now cost about $85. Mine get much heavier use on the dog than on me, but have held up very well.

Can I suggest going into a beauty supply store and trying some out? Sally's is the chain I see here.

I chose mine in a local pet store that has a bunch out, and figuring out the right blade length and fit for your hands makes a big difference. My mom has a pair that were about the same price as mine that were ordered online, and they are about twice the weight and I hate them! Paying an extra few $ for less hand fatigue is worth it to me.
 
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My only "real" hair shears a are a keepsake from my uncle (a hair dresser, passed away >25yrs ago), and have never needed sharpening, since I've had them. I'll look and see if the brand name is still on them, when I get home.
 
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similar to Catie, I used human shears to groom dogs.

And on dear hubby ....

I use a razor to cut mine and other`s hair.

When the trim combs came out I was sold.

Dear hubby has not been to a barber shop since we got married.

 
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Catie George wrote:I use dog grooming shears to cut human hair .. mine are low end Kenchii but have more than doubled in price since I bought them 5 or 6 years ago. Now cost about $85. Mine get much heavier use on the dog than on me, but have held up very well.

Can I suggest going into a beauty supply store and trying some out? Sally's is the chain I see here.

I chose mine in a local pet store that has a bunch out, and figuring out the right blade length and fit for your hands makes a big difference. My mom has a pair that were about the same price as mine that were ordered online, and they are about twice the weight and I hate them! Paying an extra few $ for less hand fatigue is worth it to me.



Another vote for pet grooming scissors, especially the thinning shears if you would like a graduated finish rather than blunt bob cut straight cuts.

Most suppliers will offer a sharpening service too.

There are lots of YouTube videos on how to use thinning shears and the bonus is that you get to watch cute dogs being groomed🥰
 
Jay Angler
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Megan Palmer wrote: Another vote for pet grooming scissors, especially the thinning shears if you would like a graduated finish rather than blunt bob cut straight cuts.


Well, at least I know where to start searching now!

In fact I have some electric clippers with plastic guides that I use for thinning, but normally I use straight scissors to do the initial shaping.

I don't know if my friend who clips her dogs has a set of the thinning scissors that I could try. My sister has my dad's old pair, but she's 3 provinces away.
 
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I received these hair cutting scissors last Christmas, and I have found them quite sharp. I, however, do not have thick hair, and usually use mine for trimming split ends. When I trimmed my son's hair (which is thicker), I didn't have any issues.

Previously, I've also cut hair with my Gingher fabric scissors, and I'm pretty sure my mom trimmed my hair with Fiskars fabric scissors.
 
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Perhaps look at this site!
https://freesaloneducation.com/collections/all-scissors
 
Jay Angler
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Nicole Alderman wrote:I received these hair cutting scissors last Christmas, and I have found them quite sharp.


I have a great respect for sharp things from Japan, so I decided to give these a chance. My friend who orders from Amazon added them to her list and I picked them up a couple of days ago.

My bangs had gotten long enough to start bugging me. These Equinox scissors were comfortable in my hand and did a great job on my bangs - definitely easier to use than my old scissors.

We will see how it goes that next time I have to cut my son's hair! Granted, I'm going to try a slightly different approach to the problem which will hopefully also help make it easier on my hand.
 
Carla Burke
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Carla Burke wrote:My only "real" hair shears a are a keepsake from my uncle (a hair dresser, passed away >25yrs ago), and have never needed sharpening, since I've had them. I'll look and see if the brand name is still on them, when I get home.



My good ones are mia. I know they're here, but I've misplaced them. Another pair we have that are decent (other than their plastic handles🙄) are Oster. Personally, I would also most likely prefer the Japanese ones.
 
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I use equinox ones here at the house.  They have a screw on them to keep them tight which i find helpful as a lefty using universal scissors, but otherwise the cheapo ULG brand works really well too.  I also keep a pair of rounded tip scissors for cutting around ears and cutting kids.  They are smaller and take longer, but no kiddo trying fighting to sit still has ever been poked with the pointy end.
 
Carla Burke
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Found 'em! (They were right where they were supposed to be, but a bunch of other stuff had gotten tossed into the drawer, on top of them) Arius-Eikert. They're small - about 12.5cm, point to stem, but they fit me great, and have stayed sharp as long as I've had them (26yrs +/-), and weren't new, then. These run about $75/USD.
20260122_010232.jpg
My good hair sheers.
My good hair sheers.
 
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howdy,
I have this kind, belonged to my Grandma, a hairdresser. Still use today, to cut my"whiskers" when they are to long,, I am 74.

S.R. DROESCHER GERMANY Hair Cutting Shears Scissors CLASSIC #89

My Grandma said this also about using her "hair scissors" for cutting anything else...
"...keeping other people from using your good sewing scissors for cutting paper and stuff." Craig Howard
 
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I can't find it right now but there is a thread on here somewhere about keeping other people from using your good sewing scissors for cutting paper and stuff.
The best/funniest idea I saw was putting a padlock through the scissor holes, locking them together.

Carla, now that you've found your good hair cutting scissors. That thread might come in handy.
Found it:
https://permies.com/t/170937/borrow
People can be very protective of their good scissors..

My hair cutters just say FORGED STEEL USA.
 
Carla Burke
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It would truly come in handy - if the culprit was someone else, lol. Hubby knows better than to mess with my scissors, and all our kids are grown and scattered around the country.
 
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