The history of hair scissors
If you are passionate about hairdressing, and looking for knowledge about the main cutting tool of hairdressers, then you have come to the right place.
Welcome to Myhairscissors. Here we talk about hairdressing, hair scissors, hair cutting tools... In short, we share this passion for hairdressing with you!
In this article we explore the fascinating world of hair scissors. From their artisanal origins to their modern evolution, immerse yourself in the history of these essential hair cutting tools for hairdressers.
You will discover in particular:
- The origin of hair scissors and their evolution
- Technological advances in this area
- Current trends popular with hairdressers
- The different types of hair scissors
- Recent and future innovations
Let’s discover this exciting world together!
The origin of hair scissors: an artisanal tradition
For centuries, hair cutting tools have been handcrafted with care by specialized craftsmen . Blade making is a passion passed down from generation to generation over the centuries.
Their origin dates back to ancient times, where they were used for rudimentary cutting tasks. The first scissors were made from materials such as iron or bronze, and their design was simple, but functional. The goal was simple: cut hair and trim beards, no more, no less.
They have played an essential role in hairdressing tasks, allowing hairdressers to cut hair and beards with more precision. Realize... a cutting tool specially designed for hairdressers!🤩
The first hair scissors: simple sharp tools
The first scissors intended for hairdressers were simple, sharp and practical tools for cutting hair. They appeared in the Middle Ages for the needs of hairdressers and barbers.
At that time, scissors were made by hand by skilled craftsmen, who forged the blades with care. Scissors were often made of steel and featured a simple but effective design, with short handles for easy grip.
At that time, there was still no need for performance specific to modern cutting techniques. You just needed sharp cutting tools to perform basic haircuts and trim beards.
The evolution of hair scissors over time
Over time, manufacturing techniques have evolved to meet the needs of increasingly demanding hairdressers. Artisans began using advanced blacksmithing techniques, allowing the creation of thinner, sharper blades.
Also, cutting precision has improved thanks to more precise sharpening techniques and the use of better quality materials such as stainless steel. This is where hairdressing scissors as you know them today appear.
Developments in manufacturing techniques have also paved the way for the customization of scissors in different sizes, shapes and colors, allowing hairdressers to choose designs suited to their individual preferences.
At the same time, this is what allowed hairdressers to develop their creativity and go even further in their hair creations. Because yes... hairdressing is not just a job, it's a passion!💗
Innovations in the design of scissors for hairdressers
Over the past decades, numerous innovations have revolutionized the design of hairdressing scissors, to meet the cutting performance needs of modern hairdressers.
Stitching, thinning, precision... these performance needs had to be met to give more possibilities to hairdressers such as John Barrett (dry cutting expert), and many other hairdressing virtuosos.
Manufacturers like Takai, Jaguar, Joewell, Kamisori or Tondeo are constantly innovating to create unique features and improve the cutting performance of their hairdressing scissors.
Convex blades and ball bearing screws, for example, provide clean cutting performance. While tension adjustment systems allow hairdressers to easily adjust the resistance of the blades according to their preferences.
Also, the ergonomic handles have been developed to provide optimal comfort to hairdressers, reducing fatigue and muscle tension during long cutting sessions.
Did you know ? A hairdresser opens and closes his pair of hair scissors hundreds of times in a single day! It was therefore necessary to adapt their tools to their work rate.
Materials used in the manufacture of blades for hairdressers
The steels used have also evolved to offer better cutting performance and more durability. These steels offer advantages such as increased lightness, corrosion resistance and edge durability.
Now, in the design of hairdressing blades, we find very high quality steels, such as:
- Stainless steel: the most common
- Steel enriched with titanium: for more precision
- Cobalt alloys: wear-resistant cutting edge
- Damascus steel: for high-end scissors
- Powder-coated steel: for very sharp blades
Once again, the objective is to facilitate the work of hairdressers and to adapt to their needs. It is therefore essential to work on high quality steels to manufacture scissors that will resist all types of hair.
Large-scale production of hair scissors
With the rise of the hairdressing industry, the production of scissors for hairdressers has also developed on a large scale. Manufacturers such as Jaguar and Tondeo have adopted modern production methods to meet the growing demand from hairdressers around the world.
This made scissors more accessible by developing various models or sizes, for different needs of hairdressers, while maintaining a high level of quality. Large-scale manufacturing processes have been implemented to produce high-quality scissors in larger quantities.
Currently, the Jaguar Solingen brand produces the most hair scissors in the world, in their factory located in Germany. Several thousand scissors, of different types and sizes, go out of production every day.😱
Other manufacturers like Takai Technology promote craftsmanship and produce high-quality scissors in small quantities to put more care into each scissors.
It is also thanks to this attention to detail that certain brands are more appreciated than others in the hairdressing industry. And yes... no secrets! The more attention to detail they pay, the more the hairdresser will enjoy working with their scissors.
Different types of hair scissors for different purposes
By understanding the features and uses of different types of scissors, hairstylists can choose the appropriate tools based on the needs for each type of cut. There are a multitude of hairdressing scissors such as:
- Hair cutting scissors: the main scissors for hairdressers
- Thinning scissors: for thinning and finishing a cut
- Texturizing scissors: to thin out a lot of hair volume
- Ergonomic scissors: which make your cutting gestures easier
- Japanese scissors: for greater performance and precision
Hairdressers generally use several types of scissors, depending on their needs, however it is up to each professional to know which tools suit them best. It is also thanks to this that certain hairdressers develop their personal cutting techniques, to the greatest pleasure of clients.😉
The types of scissors most used by today's hairdressers
In every hairdressing tool kit that hairdressers own you will find three main types of scissors. Let's take a look at these three types of hair scissors most common in hairdressing salons, and more generally in the hands of today's hairdressers.
1. Hair cutting scissors
Also known as "straight scissors", hair cutting scissors are the most commonly used hair cutting tools by hairdressers. Their design is simple and refined, making them versatile tools for creating a wide variety of haircuts. The blades of the hair cutting scissors are sharpened on both sides, providing a precise and clean cut.
2. Thinning scissors
Thinning scissors are specially designed to create textural effects and thin out hair. They have a sharp blade and a blade with teeth. Their serrated blade allows a small amount of hair to be thinned with each stroke of the scissors, creating subtle layers. They are appreciated by hairdressers for shaping and layered cuts.
3. Texturizing scissors
Texturizing scissors are designed to remove more hair with each scissor stroke than thinning scissors, thanks to a greater distance between each tooth. They are ideal for creating textured hairstyles or voluminous styles. However, it is important to use them carefully to avoid cutting too much hair. Experienced hairdressers know how to use them to add movement and lightness to hair.
Choosing hair scissors suited to each cutting technique
It is crucial for hairdressers to choose hairdressing scissors suitable for each cutting technique, to achieve professional and precise results.
For layered cuts, thinning scissors are recommended to create fluid transitions and thin out unruly strands of hair during finishing touches.
For straight cuts or square cuts, cutting scissors with sharp blades are best suited. If you want to practice thinning with cutting scissors, choose Japanese hairdressing scissors which are suitable for advanced cutting techniques.
Most hairdressers combine several types of scissors to achieve the perfect haircut. And yes, that's also the art of hairdressing, knowing how to mix the use of different cutting tools to obtain the desired result! However, there are several criteria to take into account when choosing the right hairdressing scissors, such as:
- The size of the scissors
- The shape of the blades
- Performance cuts
- Cutting edge quality
Tip : It is important to choose hair scissors suitable for each cutting technique. This is what allows the hairdresser to create perfect haircuts in order to satisfy the expectations of their customers.
Hair scissors: current trends
Current trends in hairdressing scissors reflect both the need for performance and the personality of hairdressers. Let's take a look at the three main categories of scissors most appreciated by hairdressing professionals.
1. Japanese scissors
In the foreground, we find Japanese scissors which are very popular with passionate hairdressers. They are renowned for their high quality sharpness and durability. It's a long-term investment for hairdressers looking for performance.
Made in Japan with traditional know-how, these high-end hairdressing scissors offer cutting precision incomparable to other types of scissors. Thus, the cut is clean and the hairdresser can give free rein to his creativity, without being hampered by his cutting tools.
2. Colorful hair scissors
Initiated by Jaguar Solingen with its famous range of "Jagu'art" scissors (with innovative and very colorful designs), colored hairdressing scissors are now widespread among hairdressers around the world. Currently, Jaguar is the reference for this type of scissors for hairdressers. They are also very appreciated by young creative hairdressers.
The fashion for cute hairdressing scissors became trendy in the early 2000s, bringing a touch of style and personality to hairdressers' cutting tools. Needless to say, as creative artists, hairdressers are delighted!
3. Ergonomic scissors
Sought after by hairdressers who want to take care of their health, ergonomic scissors have a special place in current trends. The aim is to relieve muscle tension felt by hairdressers when cutting hair.
By using ergonomic hair scissors, hairdressers relieve their arm and reduce the effort required to cut hair, especially for those who spend long hours in the hairdressing salon, enhancing their clients' hair.
The Exthand brand has understood this and created innovative ergonomic hair scissors, which allow you to have your elbow alongside your body when cutting hair. Unlike the usual scissors, they do not have rings, but "grips" to change the posture of the hairdresser who uses them.
The future of hair scissors: towards continuous innovation
The future of hair scissors promises continuous innovation, offering hairdressing professionals cutting tools that are ever more efficient, precise and adapted to their needs for perfection. Manufacturers continue to innovate to meet the needs of hairdressers. Here is the summer of spirit of the great scissor manufacturers:
- Develop new technologies
- Design more ergonomic scissors
- Explore new materials
- Increase the life of scissors
In the coming years, we will certainly see new shapes of blades for hairdressers, designed to make their work easier. Because yes, cutting hair is a passion for many hairdressers, but it is also a job that requires a lot of effort on a daily basis.
New : in recent years, heated scissors have appeared. The concept is simple, the heated blades seal the ends of the hair to eliminate split ends. It was Jaguar who developed this tool called Carecut. It allows hairdressing salons to offer a new type of cut called "cauterizing", and yes... innovation is moving quickly!
Hair scissors: from craftsmanship to modernity
From traditional craftsmanship to modernity, the history of hair scissors testifies to their importance in the world of hairdressing. Thanks to the evolution of manufacturing techniques, innovations in their design, and current trends, hairdressers now have increasingly efficient tools, and above all adapted to current needs.
Suffice to say that the future of blades for hairdressers looks promising. Manufacturers will adapt to the needs of hairdressers in order to make their work easier. So be ready to discover even more new things in this sector! If you want to know more, we have created a guide to hair scissors with maximum detail for passionate hairdressers.
At Myhairscissors, we share this passion for hairdressing and hair cutting tools with hairdressers. A passion that has driven us for almost 10 years, and that is why we carefully select the brands available on the store.
