For professionals in the barbering industry or home enthusiasts in New Zealand, barber scissors, otherwise known as barber scissors, are an essential part of your toolkit. Designed specifically for cutting hair, these scissors are differentiated by their lengthier blades, making them ideal for managing thick or coarse hair, a characteristic frequently found among Kiwis.
Many of our barber scissors feature a distinctive serrated or textured blade. This unique design allows for a firm grip on the hair during cutting, preventing any slippage, and thus ensuring a clean, precise cut each time.
Understanding the Difference between Barber scissors and Salon Scissors
While both barber scissors and salon scissors are central to hairdressing, they are marked by key differences. Barber scissors typically have longer blades, making them the first choice for handling thick, coarse hair, especially common among New Zealand men. This longer blade length, paired with a textured or serrated edge, enables a strong hold on the hair, preventing it from slipping during the cut.
Usually, barber scissors range from 6.0” to 7.5” inches, while salon scissors are slightly shorter, usually between 5.0” to 5.5” inches.
Why NZ Barbers Choose Longer scissors
Longer scissors are favoured by New Zealand barbers for their ability to perform faster haircuts. The added length provides greater leverage, making the process of cutting through thick hair easier. They are particularly suited for popular New Zealand hair-cutting techniques such as the scissor-over-comb technique, where the ideal lengths range from 6.5” to 7.0” inches.
Barber scissors of 7.0” inches or longer are extremely useful when cutting large sections of hair at once, making them especially handy when working with men’s hair, which is often thicker and coarser than women’s hair.
Popular Techniques Utilized by NZ Barbers
- Scissor-over-comb technique
- Slide cutting
- Point cutting
- Blunt cutting
Each technique requires a specific type of barber scissor. The scissor-over-comb technique is widely used, where the barber holds the comb and scissors in one hand and uses the barber scissors to cut the hair along the comb’s edge.
Finding Your Perfect Barber scissors
Choosing the right barber scissors can greatly enhance the quality of a haircut. It's essential to select a pair that is made from high-quality materials and ensures comfort and control.
The choice of blade type varies between professionals - some prefer a convex edge or a serrated blade for an enhanced grip, while others opt for a smoother blade for precise cuts. The prices of barber scissors range from $90 to $700, offering a variety of options to cater to diverse needs and budgets.
Essential Factors to Consider When Choosing Barber scissors
- The type of blade (convex, serrated, or smooth)
- The size of the scissors (6.0” to 7.5”)
- The type of hair to be cut (coarse, thick, or thin)
- Your budget
Top Recommended Brands for High-Quality Barber scissors
- Juntetsu scissors
- Joewell scissors
- Yasaka Hairdressing Scissors
- Mina scissors
- Kamisori scissors
- Ichiro scissors
- Jaguar German scissors
- Mizutani scissors
- Yamato scissors
- Osaka Passion scissors
These brands have gained immense trust and popularity among New Zealand barbers for their comprehensive range of top-quality barber scissors. We highly recommend the Juntetsu scissors for their unparalleled comfort and high-quality materials. Joewell scissors, made from supreme Japanese steel, offer an excellent grip, as do the Yasaka Hairdressing Scissors.
For those on a budget, Mina scissors are a fantastic choice, while Kamisori scissors, made from the finest materials and featuring a top-notch ergonomic design, cater to those seeking premium barber scissors. Ichiro scissors and Jaguar German scissors, both with high-quality Japanese steel construction and various models, are also excellent options.
To learn more about barber scissors, we recommend visiting our international counterparts' website dedicated to barber scissors.
