Are Mina Scissors Good? A Barber's Verdict
Quick answer
Yes. Mina scissors are good for apprentices and barbers who want a working Japanese-brand kit at the lowest price we sell. Every model lists SUS440C steel at 58 HRC. Start with the Sakura II offset at 6.0″ or the Sakura II set.
Our verdict
Yes for apprentices, second-station kits and barbers who want a convex cutter without spending much. Skip if you want harder VG10 or cobalt steel, or a left-handed pair right now.
Buy if
- You're an apprentice and want a full cutter and thinner kit
- You want one cutter model in every length from 5.0″ to 7.0″
- You need a backup pair for a second station
Skip if
- You want harder steel than 58 HRC: look at Ichiro or Juntetsu
- You're left-handed: Mina's left builds are out of stock right now
Top picks
Best apprentice kit
Mina Sakura II Professional Scissors Set
Sakura II cutter plus 6.0″ 30-tooth thinner
Who makes Mina scissors
Mina is an independent Japanese brand built around the first professional kit. The range is cutters, thinners and ready-made sets, mostly with offset handles, in finishes from plain satin to engraved Sakura and black coatings.
Every Mina cutter and thinner we stock lists SUS440C steel at 58 HRC. The differences between models are handle, edge and length, not steel. Colour is the last decision.
The Mina range at a glance
Scroll sideways to compare all columns.
| Line | Lengths in stock | Handle and edge | Price band |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sakura II | 5.0″, 5.5″, 6.0″, 6.5″, 7.0″ | Offset, convex | Entry |
| Sakura Double Swivel | 6.0″ | Double swivel, convex | Entry |
| Ash Black | 5.5″, 6.0″ | Offset, convex | Entry |
| Black Diamond | 6.0″, 7.0″ | Offset, flat bevel | Entry |
| Thinners | 6.0″ | Classic II and Jay II 30-tooth, Ash Black V-tooth | Entry |
| Sets | Cutter plus 6.0″ thinner | Sakura II, Ash, Black Diamond, Double Swivel | Entry to mid |
Rainbow and Umi finishes sit in the same price band. Live prices are on the product rows below and in the Mina collection.
Best Mina by job
First cutter: Sakura II
The Sakura II is the Mina to start with. It’s a right-handed offset cutter with a convex edge in all five lengths from 5.0″ to 7.0″. Take 6.0″ for a first daily shear; add a 5.0″ or 7.0″ later in the same handle.
Apprentice kit: Sakura II set
The Sakura II set pairs the cutter, in the length you choose, with a 6.0″ 30-tooth thinner. That covers cutting and blending in one buy. It’s the first set to look at in this range.
For more first-kit options across brands, see the apprentice scissors list.
Fades and detail: 5.0″ or 5.5″
For outlines, ears and the top of a fade, take the Sakura II at 5.0″ or 5.5″. The Ash Black at 5.5″ is the same job in a black finish with a convex edge. More picks are in the fade scissors list.
Scissor-over-comb: Black Diamond 7.0″
The Black Diamond is a right-handed offset cutter with a flat bevel edge, in stock at 6.0″ and 7.0″. A bevel edge suits blunt lines and steady comb work; it isn’t built for slide cutting. Take 7.0″ if over-comb is most of your day. The Sakura II at 7.0″ is the convex alternative.
Swivel: Sakura Double Swivel
On the Double Swivel, both rings move as your hand changes angle. That helps when you cut around the head from several positions. It’s in stock at 6.0″ with a convex edge.
Thinning: Classic II
The Classic II is a 6.0″ offset thinner with 30 teeth: the general blending choice for softening a line after the cut. The Jay II is another 30-tooth 6.0″ thinner in a satin finish.
Best thinner
Left-handed: out of stock
Mina lists left-hand builds of the Jay II, Rainbow and Umi, but only the right-hand builds are in stock right now. Browse the left-handed collection for a pair you can buy today.
Before you buy a Mina
- Size: sizes are whole-shear length. Buy the length you trained on; the size guide shows how to measure.
- Edge: most Mina cutters are convex. The Black Diamond and Umi are flat-edged. Tell your sharpener which one you have.
- Kit: a set puts the cutter and a matching thinner in one order. Check the thinner’s tooth count before you choose.
- Service: book a sharpener for a convex edge when the pair starts folding hair. See sharpening in Australia, the warranty and the returns page.
Which Mina for you
- Apprentice: the Sakura II set at 6.0″.
- Working barber: a Sakura II at 6.0″ and a Black Diamond at 7.0″, or keep Mina as the backup at a second station.
- Upgrade: move to harder steel with Ichiro, or VG10 with the Juntetsu review.
For the wider buying order, read the barber scissor guide, or go back to the Mina brand page.
Questions
Is Mina a Japanese brand?
Yes. Mina is an independent Japanese brand. Every Mina cutter and thinner we stock lists SUS440C steel at 58 HRC, with offset handles on most models.
Are Mina scissors good for apprentices?
Yes. The Sakura II set gives an apprentice a convex cutter in the length they need plus a 6.0″ 30-tooth thinner, at the lowest price band we sell. It covers cutting and blending from day one.
What size Mina should I buy?
6.0″ for a first daily cutter. Go 5.0″ or 5.5″ for detail work and 7.0″ for scissor-over-comb. The Sakura II comes in all five lengths, so you can add a second size in the same handle later.
Does Mina make left-handed scissors?
Mina lists left-hand builds of the Jay II, Rainbow and Umi, but only the right-hand builds are in stock right now. For a left-handed pair today, browse the left-handed collection.
Mina or Ichiro?
Mina if budget decides and 58 HRC SUS440C does the job. Ichiro if you want 440C at 58 to 60 HRC, sword-profile blades or a VG-10 option.