<blockquote class="source-note"><p class="small text-muted mt-3">Source baseline: ScissorPedia research index and JapanShears distributor data — Document supporting interviews or shop quotes in the editorial log.</p></blockquote>
Dull shears cost clients, staff morale, and money. Use this checklist—built from the maintenance protocols (barber-maintenance-protocols.md)—to catch issues before they derail a roster.
Feel It in the Cut
- Hair folding or sliding – If tension is correct and hair still bends, the edge is gone.
- Crunchy or gravelly sound – Debris in the pivot or chipped ride line. Clean, oil, test again. If it stays, pull from service.
- Tip snagging – 80% of wear hides in the final 10 mm. If clients flinch around ears, stop using that shear immediately.
Visual Diagnostics
| Symptom | What It Means | Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| Shiny reflection along the edge | Edge has rolled | Book sharpening; note “rolled edge” for the tech |
| Light leaking between blades | Alignment issue | Professional realignment required |
| Rust freckles at pivot | Moisture trapped | Flush pivot, oil, and review cleaning routine |
Body Feedback Matters
- Increased thumb pressure or elbow lift means you are working against the blade.
- Wrist or forearm burn by midday? The shear has lost bite—swap to your backup to protect your body.
Immediate Triage
- Clean with lint-free cloth, disinfect, dry.
- Oil the pivot and perform the gravity (90°) tension test.
- If performance is still off, label the shear and move it to the service case.
- Update the maintenance log so the downtime is tracked (invaluable for owners managing multiple stations).
Service Cadence (Convex vs Bevel)
| Workload | Convex | Beveled/Micro-serrated |
|---|---|---|
| High-volume metro (20+ cuts/day) | 3–4 months | 5–6 months |
| Regional / mixed roster | 5 months | 6 months |
| Backup / secondary shear | Inspect monthly, sharpen annually | Inspect monthly, sharpen annually |
Check the authorised sharpeners listed in docs/shear-brand-validation.md before booking.
Climate Red Flags
- Coastal – Salt lift accelerates rust. If you spot rust spots, polish gently with 0000 steel wool + oil, then log a sharpening.
- Inland dust – Dust in pivots mimics dullness. Blow out particles before assuming the edge is gone.
- Tropical – Humidity swells handles and loosens tension screws fast. Tighten in 1/8 turns and re-test daily.
Keep Edges Sharp Longer
- Rotate between two primary cutters so neither hits the stone too often.
- Never cut clothing, foil, or product packaging with your main blades.
- Store closed in padded cases with silica packs if humidity is an issue.
- Train apprentices to log every drop or failure—drops without documentation are the fastest way to kill a blade.
Stay ahead of dullness and your shears will protect your clients, your technique, and your hands.