Know Your Scissors

What size of scissors / shears is best?

A scissor should feel comfortable in your hand, some hair stylists prefer short scissors/shears and some long. It depends on the type of cutting you are doing.

Professional hair stylists have often several pairs of scissors all for different jobs.

Scissors with 5.0" , 5.5" , 6.0" and 6.5" sizes are commonly used.

Scissors are measured from tip to longest handle excluding removable or permanent finger rest, as shown in the above diagram.

Design of Handle

There are different types of scissors handle. A hair stylist will often pick up a scissor and it will feel great, that is because it "fits" their hand and style of hair cutting.

The "Opposing" ( also called "level" or "even" ) handle is the basic design.

The Offset handle scissor is a newer modern design for stylists who use the ring finger to hold the scissor. The "Offset" will allow a more open hand position. The shorter thumb handle reduces over-extension of the thumb. This design allows you to cut with a more open hand position.

Crane ( "semi offset" handle ) handle a lower elbow position when cutting, but most important factor is what you feel comfortable with.