Ichiro vs Juntetsu: Which Barber Scissors Suit You?

Ichiro vs Juntetsu at a glance

Pick the steel and the handle first. The brand follows.

Steel: where each range starts

Ichiro starts at the entry end. The Ergo line is a stainless alloy built for apprentices, most of the range from the Offset up is 440C, and the VG10 Premium Series, Taiyo and Tsuki, sits at the top. Juntetsu starts one step higher: VG10 runs through most of its lines, and the Sword, Kenshi and Mastersmith cutters add ATS314 cobalt.

If steel is the first thing you want to settle, the steel guide and the VG-10 vs 440C vs ATS-314 comparison explain what each grade means. Both makers publish a hardness rating on their product pages, so read it there rather than comparing it across brands from memory.

Handles: offset, swivel, crane and classic

Most cutters from both brands are offset, with the thumb ring lower than the finger ring. Ichiro’s Kawa Z-Balance swivel adds a moving thumb ring to a 440C cutter. Juntetsu lists the same idea in the Swivel Offset, and adds the Crane Super Offset and classic-handle cutters such as the VG Black, where the rings sit level.

If you have never worked a swivel or a crane, the handle guide shows each one by where the thumb and fingers sit. Match the handle to the pair you cut with now.

Thinners, texturisers and sets

Both brands build most families as a cutter, a thinner and a set. Ichiro’s Offset set pairs a 5.0″ to 7.0″ sword cutter with a 6.0″ thinner, and the Texture Master thinner lists three tooth profiles, W, V and H, for lighter or stronger passes. Juntetsu’s VG10 Offset set pairs a 4.5″ to 7.0″ cutter with a 6.0″ 30-tooth thinner, and its Chomper texturiser comes in 10 or 16 teeth for bulk removal.

A set keeps the cutter and thinner on the same handle, which is the point of buying one. The thinning shears vs blenders guide explains what tooth count does.

Finish lines and extras

Ichiro puts its 440C blades under coloured finishes: Rainbow, Ash Gold, Rose Gold, Pastel Pink and Matte Black. Juntetsu lists Matte Black, Rose Gold, Rose Limited and the Hanami, which is 440C, and sells the leather holsters, wallets and pouches that carry its shears. The finishes guide covers what a finish changes and what it does not, and the cases, pouches and holsters guide covers the carry side.

Choose Ichiro if, choose Juntetsu if

Choose Ichiro if you want a 440C sword-blade cutter in one of five lengths, a stainless alloy apprentice line, a coloured finish, or a VG10 step up inside the same brand.

Choose Juntetsu if you want VG10 as the starting steel, ATS314 cobalt as the top, a full run of lengths from 4.5″ in one line, or a swivel, crane or classic handle.

If you are weighing Ichiro against Mina for a first pair, read Mina vs Ichiro. If Juntetsu is on the list next to Yasaka, read Yasaka vs Juntetsu.

Before you buy either

• Length: match the pair you cut with now. The size guide shows each length to scale.
• Hand: read the hand row on the product page. For a true left-handed pair, start from the left-handed collection and the left-handed guide.
• Sharpening: sword and convex edges need a sharpener who works on Japanese edges. The sharpening guide covers what to ask.
• Warranty: terms are on the warranty page.

Pick by career stage

• Apprentice: the Ichiro Ergo line, once your course tool list is in. Juntetsu once you know your length.
• Working barber: the Ichiro Offset in the length you use, or the Juntetsu VG10 Offset if you want VG10.
• Upgrading: Ichiro Taiyo or Tsuki in VG10, or Juntetsu ATS314 cobalt.

Read the full verdicts in are Ichiro scissors good and are Juntetsu scissors good. Shop the Ichiro and Juntetsu collections, or compare every maker in the brand map.

Further reading: Scissorpedia is an information website. BarberScissors is part of the ShearAlliance, working with other trusted scissor websites. More comparisons are in the knowledge base.