Hair scissors

Hairdressing Scissors from Solingen

Hairdressing scissors cut differently from any other scissors: they must separate the hair without crushing it. If the hair is crushed, it splinters at the cutting edge – the reason why a cut made with poor scissors looks frayed after two weeks.

That's why hairdressing scissors are hollow-ground and have very fine tension. Here you will find models from Dreiturm, Erbe Solingen, Olivia Garden and Excellent – for the salon as well as for home use.

The three types of scissors

  • Hair cutting scissors – smooth blades, the standard for shaping cuts
  • Thinning scissors – serrated on one side, removes volume without changing length
  • Texturizing scissors – serrated on both sides, for soft transitions and texturizing

For thinning, you can find the range under thinning scissors.

What size fits?

Hairdressing scissors are measured in inches. As a rule of thumb: the scissors should extend from the ball of your thumb to the fingertip of your middle finger.

  • 5 to 5.5 inches – for detail work, bangs and contour
  • 5.5 to 6 inches – the most common size, for most cutting techniques
  • 6 to 6.5 inches – for large hands and cutting over the comb

How to recognize good hairdressing scissors

  • Hollow ground – the blades only touch at one point, the hair is cut instead of pushed
  • Adjustable screw – the tension can be readjusted if the scissors soften over the years
  • Ergonomic handle – offset shanks relieve stress on the shoulder and wrist during long salon days
  • Finger rest – support for the little finger, removable on Danish handles

Care

After each use, remove hair residue and wipe dry. Occasionally put a drop of oil into the joint. Never drop the scissors – a single impact on the tip can permanently damage the mechanism.

Important for resharpening: Smooth hairdressing scissors can be resharpened, serrated thinning and texturizing scissors cannot – the serration would be destroyed afterwards. Find out more on our page about sharpening service.

Also for Left-Handers

We stock genuine hairdressing scissors for left-handers with mirrored blades. Why a rotated right-handed scissor is not a solution is explained in the article Scissors for Left-Handers.

Guide

Discover our categories

Hairdressing scissors

Hairdressing scissors

 Notching shears

Notching shears

 Thinning shears

Thinning shears

How do I test hair scissors for quality?

Good hair scissors cut cleanly and without snagging – the best way to test this is on a single strand of hair: if the scissors glide through easily, that's a good sign. Also, look for a smooth, even action and correctly set screw tension (not too loose, not too tight). If the scissors "push" hair, make a cracking sound, or get stuck, they are usually dull or poorly manufactured.

How to use hair scissors?

The best way to cut is with hair shears on clean, slightly damp hair that has been cleanly sectioned. Hold the scissors loosely, cut small sections, and work slowly. For more natural results, use a point cut (lightly "pierce" the ends) instead of cutting straight across.

Are your hair scissors suitable for left-handers?

Yes, we have a special selection of left-handed hair scissors. These are ground in a mirror-inverted fashion and have an ergonomic handle specifically optimized for left-handers. When purchasing, make sure you choose the left-handed version – normal scissors are difficult for left-handers to use.

Which hairdressing scissors are the right ones?

The right hair scissors depend on hand size, technique, and intended use. For most people (even at home), 5.0–5.5 inches are ideal because they are easy to control. Professionals often use 5.5–6.0 inches for faster work. Look for an ergonomic handle, smooth action, and high-quality steel.

What's different about hairdressing scissors?

Hairdressing scissors are extremely precisely ground and cut hair cleanly instead of crushing it. This results in smoother cut edges and the hair is less damaged than with normal household scissors.

What's special about hair shears?

What makes them special are their fine grind, exact blade geometry, and screw tension, which are designed for hair. Good hair scissors allow for clean lines, soft transitions, and cut without pulling.

Which scissors for cutting hair?

Ideally, use real hair-cutting scissors with a smooth blade. Not craft, kitchen, or paper scissors – these often fray the hair and can promote split ends.