SCISSOR CARE & MAINTENANCE

CORRECT TENSION & ADJUSTMENT

Testing for correct tension should be performed daily, especially in the first two months of use. During this time, the washer in the pivot area will be settling and, as it does, the tension on your scissor will loosen and need to be adjusted.

Do not use scissors if tension is incorrect. As the tension loosens on a scissor, the screw loosens and the blades begin to come apart. If you try to cut with scissors, under these conditions, they will bend or fold the hair. The only way scissors with loose tension can cut is if the blades are pushed together by using horizontal thumb pressure. In doing this, you will dull and nick your blades quickly. For these reasons, it is extremely important that you check the tension daily and adjust it when necessary.

Testing for correct tension:

• Hold scissor as if to execute scissor over comb technique. (No. 1)

• Turn hand over with thumb parallel to ceiling (your palm facing up). (No. 2)

• Open blades completely, by moving thumb (up) only. (No. 3)

• Remove thumb and allow weight of handles to close blades. (No. 4)

• Looking at the length of the blades, if the blades remain most of the way open, tension is correct. (No. 4)

• If the blades close half way, or more, the tension is too loose and tension adjustment procedure must be performed. (No. 5)

When correct tension is achieved, finish by performing cleaning and oiling section before using scissor.

Oiling and Cleaning

"Oiling and Cleaning" is an important practice that insures your scissors perform consistently and remain accurate (sharp) throughout its cutting life. A two-phase process, it involves cleaning and then lubrication of a scissor's major contact points, minimizing unnecessary wear and damage.

Why Oil and Clean Daily?
Daily oiling and cleaning will enhance the performance and extend the cutting life of your scissor. Regular cleaning and lubrication protects against rust and deterioration from chemical/moisture contact in the salon environment, build-up of bacteria attracting debris in the interior pivot and blade area, reduces friction from blade movement, and prolongs sharpness.

Between Clients

Using a soft cloth towel, thoroughly wipe scissor and blades after every haircut. This will reduce build-up of chemicals and debris, which may adversely affect the performance of your scissor throughout your workday.

Daily
(at the end of each workday, before leaving the salon) With scissor in closed position, add one drop of oil to the side of the screw. This will lubricate the screw and pivot preventing unnecessary wear in this area. (No. 6)

Opening the scissor blades, add a line of oil to both inner surfaces of the blades. Carefully wipe excess from pivot to point. This lubricates all major contact points of the blades, prevents wear, and prolongs sharpness. (No. 7)

Add two or three drops of oil to the pivot area, opening and closing the blades three to five times. This allows the oil to draw out any debris trapped in the pivot. (No. 8) Then carefully wipe blade, pivot, and screw area of all excess oil. Oil will dry protecting all major contact points before the following workday.

Thumb Pressure and Technique

Don't Defeat The Design:
Pushing, pulling, exerting any force or horizontal pressure to cut only defeats the design of the scissor. Because Hikari's edge is on the inside of the blade, these techniques will result in premature wear of the blades, pivot area and in severe cases nicking and structural damage. (Nos. 9, 10 & 11)

Finger Rings
Many stylists have developed the habit of applying horizontal thumb pressure (pushing) to the handles of their dull scissors in order to "force" the scissor to cut properly.

In fact, most scissors require a certain amount of horizontal thumb pressure in order to cut. Hikari scissors are designed to cut with no horizontal thumb pressure. Hikari recommends using a finger ring in the thumb opening (not the finger ring hole). This helps the user break the habit of applying horizontal thumb pressure, which is often unknowingly applied. If you notice your scissors dulling very quickly, you may be pushing with your thumb without realizing it. Check your technique and use a finger ring in the thumb opening to help remind yourself not to apply any horizontal pressure to the handles. In addition, make sure the tension is adjusted properly. This will not only help prevent premature wear of the blades, but it will also help to prevent stress from developing in your hand and wrist!

What is basic technique?
"Basic Technique" refers to what is generally accepted as correct practical application of scissors for cutting hair.

Why Practice Basic Technique?
"Basic Technique" will give you a point of reference from which to consistently execute hair design concepts. It allows maximum utilization of a scissors design features and cutting ability, as intended by the particular manufacturer. It allows you to confidently explore the utility of design features to their maximum potential.

How Is Basic Technique Effective?

The best way to use your scissor is quite simple. With the thumb controlling the moving blade, use  vertical movement to effect the cut. (Nos. 12, 13, &14) This technique allows the pressure generated from the pivot design and the sharpness of the blades to do all of the work. It also keeps the hands and finger relaxed and in control, giving you more agility and radial freedom to move throughout the haircut.

Irreparable Damage
Never never never cut any material other than hair with your scissor. This may result in irreparable  damage.

For an informative article on Thumb Pressure and how it causes premature dulling of scissors, please click here.

Do's and Don'ts

A Checklist of Helpful Reminders

Daily
Practice, and then implement the following areas into your workday, to get maximum utilization of your scissor.

Tension and Adjustment
Correct Basic Cutting Technique without Thumb Pressure
Oiling and Cleaning

Whether wet or dry, cut only clean human hair. Hair that is coated with fixatives (hair spray, mousse, etc.) or chemicals (perm solution, relaxer) may cause the blades to nick or, in the case of chemicals, deteriorate and rust the blades rendering them irreparable.

Only cut human hair. Never wigs, nylon, paper, plastic or other materials. Even mannequin hair, labeled as 100% human, oftentimes is treated with a coating that can damage the blades.

Keep your scissors away from harmful objects that can cause accidental damage to blades: clips, brushes, combs, and other implements, which can cause accidental damage to the blades.

Storing Your Scissors


When scissors are not being used, (between clients and in storage) keep blades in a closed position. This will reduce the chance of nicking and accidental damage to the blades.

Never use magnets to hold scissors in storage. This can magnetize the blades attracting undesirable dust and other particles.

How you store your scissor is very important. For adequate protection and ease of travel, your investment in a scissor case is a wise decision.  The most important factor is that the scissor case keeps the tips of your scissor in a closed position.  Only insert one scissor per slot and try not to overlap scissors.

Common Problems & SOLUTIONS

  • This is most often caused by one of two things:

    • Tension is too loose. If, when you check the tension, the scissor is closing halfway or more, the tension is too loose. This means that the screw in the pivot area is loosening and the blades will start to come apart. When this happens, because the blades are coming apart, the scissor will "bend" the hair rather than cut it. Most people who do not check tension or check it incorrectly will start using their thumb to PUSH the blades together to get them cutting again. When they do this, they are "grinding" the blades together and will dull them very quickly.

    • The scissors are dull. They could have been dulled by cutting with the tension too loose (as described above), by applying too much thumb pressure (Pushing), or if they're cutting hair with product in it or dry hair (this will actually cause a lot of small nicks that "dull" the blade and cause "bending" and occasionally "pinching".)

  • This is caused by a nick on the blade. There are several ways that a nick can occur. The following are helpful tips.

    Be careful you don't hit your scissor on a comb or clip

    • When you set your scissors down, your scissors should be completely closed.

    • Cutting anything besides human hair (even wigs labeled as being made of human hair are often treated with chemicals - so we don't recommend using your scissors on this either) will cause damage to your blade.

    • Dropping your scissor

    • Lots of small nicks can build up if you are cutting lots of hair that has product in it or if you are cutting dry hair. These small nicks don't usually cause pinching as much as they cause "crunchiness" and "bending".

  • This is usually because the blades have a lot of nicks on them (see above) and/or the scissors have become dull.

These are all just possibilities—each scissor is different and the way you use your scissor and take care of it will greatly affect the performance of your scissor.

We have found that when scissors do not cut properly, 99% of the time it is due to improper care and maintenance. Incorrect tension, excessive thumb pressure and nicks due to dropping them, hitting the blade against combs and clips are some common examples. If you are experiencing problems with your scissors, please contact us to arrange for your scissors to be checked and serviced back to new working order.

Learn more about our “Sharpen Up” sharpening service through Hikari Scissors