Barber notes
Practical comparisons and clear care notes for choosing, using and looking after your barber scissors.
Choose a question from the guide library, or browse the article topics below.
All articles
28 articles, ordered by original publication date.
Barber Scissors Under $200: Best Buys in Australia
The best barber scissors under $200 in Australia: a first cutter, long over-comb cutters, a classic handle, a swivel and a 30-tooth thinner.
Best Long Barber Scissors for Scissor Over Comb
The best long barber scissors for scissor over comb: 7.0″ cutters from Mina, Juntetsu, Ichiro, Jaguar and Yasaka, from budget to ATS314 cobalt.
Best Barber Scissor Sets: Cutter and Thinner Pairs
The best barber scissor sets: cutter and thinner pairs from Mina, Ichiro, Jaguar, Juntetsu and Yasaka, picked by cutter length, edge and thinner.
Are Ichiro Scissors Good? A Barber's Verdict
Yes for apprentices and working barbers who want 440C or VG-10 cutters, sword or convex blades, in every length. Our verdict and the best Ichiro by job.
Are Mina Scissors Good? A Barber's Verdict
Yes for apprentices and barbers who want a convex Japanese cutter or a full kit at the lowest price we sell. Our verdict, the range, and the best Mina by job.
Yasaka vs Juntetsu: Which Barber Scissors to Buy
Yasaka vs Juntetsu barber scissors: Yasaka for ATS314 cobalt and a clam convex edge, Juntetsu for VG10 value, sword profiles and more lengths.
Best Sword Blade Shears for Barbers
A sword blade has a ridged, angled back along each blade with the cutting line in view. The best sword blade shears for barbers, 440C to cobalt.
Best Barber Scissors for Apprentices (Under $200)
The best barber scissors for apprentices under $200: one clear first kit, then single cutters, an over-comb set and a true left-handed option.
Are Kamisori Scissors Good? A Barber's Verdict
Yes for barbers who want a premium sword-profile cutter and thinner bought as a pair. Only one Kamisori is in stock today. Our verdict and what to buy instead.
Best Left-Handed Barber Scissors (True Lefty)
The best true left-handed barber scissors: mirrored cutters and thinners from Jaguar, Yasaka and Joewell, from a first lefty kit to premium convex.
Best Thinning and Texturising Shears for Barbers
The best thinning and texturising shears for barbers: 30 to 43-tooth blenders for fades, 16-tooth texturisers for bulk, and models sold by removal rate.
Best Barber Scissors for Fades (Australia)
The best barber scissors for fades: 6.5 to 7.0″ cutters for scissor over comb, a micro-serrated option for grip, and a 43-tooth thinner to blend.
Best Barber Scissors in Australia: 10 Picks by Job
Ten barber scissors picked by job: first cutter, first set, scissor over comb, premium Japanese, classic handle, swivel, texturiser and true left-handed.
Are Joewell Scissors Good? A Barber's Verdict
Yes for barbers who want a proven Japanese cutter with a classic or 3D offset handle. Our verdict, the range in stock, and the best Joewell for each job.
Are Jaguar Scissors Good? A Barber's Verdict
Yes for barbers who want German-made shears at every budget, with proper left-handed models. Our verdict, the range, and the best Jaguar for each job.
Are Kasho Scissors Good? A Barber's Verdict
Yes for barbers who want a 6.0″ Japanese offset cutter in V10W steel. Only one Kasho is in stock today. Our verdict, the range and what to buy instead.
Can You Take Barber Scissors on a Plane? (Australia)
Barber scissors go in checked baggage on Australian flights. Pointed metal scissors are banned from carry-on; only blunt or round-ended blades under 6 cm can go in the cabin.
Are Juntetsu Scissors Good? A Barber's Verdict
Yes for barbers who want hard Japanese steel in long sword-profile cutters and real handle choice. Our verdict, the range, and the best Juntetsu by job.
Are Yasaka Scissors Good? A Barber's Verdict
Yes for barbers who want a plain Japanese cutter with a convex edge and a real size ladder. Our verdict, the range, and the best Yasaka for each job.
How Often Should Barbers Sharpen Convex Shears?
How often to sharpen convex barber shears: sharpen on signs, not a calendar. What shortens the interval, the five signs a convex edge is due, and how to make it last.
5 Scissor Mistakes Apprentice Barbers Make
The five scissor mistakes apprentice barbers make most: buying before the course list, going long too early, the wrong hand, fiddling the tension screw and loose storage.
Types of Barber Scissors and What Each Does
The types of barber scissors explained: cutting shears, long over-comb shears, sword blades, detail shears, thinners, texturisers, chunkers, swivels and lefties.
Are Your Barber Scissors Blunt? 4 Tests and Fixes
Four quick tests for dull barber scissors (wet tissue, tip check, tension drop and edge light), what each result means, and the fix: clean, adjust or sharpen.
How to Clean and Oil Barber Scissors
How to clean and oil barber scissors in seven steps: wipe, open and clear the pivot, disinfect if required, dry, oil the pivot, check tension and case them.
How to Hold Barber Scissors Properly
How to hold barber scissors: thumb tip in the thumb ring, ring finger in the finger ring, little finger on the rest, and only the thumb moves. Plus palming and over-comb.
Barber Scissor Blades: Edge and Profile Explained
Convex, bevel, micro-serrated and sword blades explained for barbers: what each edge and profile does, which cut it suits and how to read a listing.
Buying Barber Scissors Online: 5 Checks First
Buying barber scissors online? Check five things first: the job, length, hand and handle, edge and steel, and budget. Then our picks at each price.
Japanese vs German Barber Scissors: Real Differences
Japanese vs German barber scissors: the Japanese brands lean to convex edges and listed HRC; German-made Jaguar leans to micro-serration and classic handles.
Questions about a shear?
Choosing your next shear or checking an order? Send us the details and we’ll help you find the next step.