Choosing the Best Steel for Hairdressing Scissors: Top 12 Types Explained
The type of steel used in professional hairdressing scissors or barber shears makes a significant difference. High-quality steel ensures durability, sharpness, and precision, making your cutting experience smoother and more efficient. Choosing the right steel can enhance your craft, offering longevity and ease of maintenance. In this guide, we explore the 12 best types of steel for hairdressing scissors and barber shears, highlighting their unique properties and benefits.
1. ATS-314 Steel
ATS-314 steel is a premium Japanese stainless steel, recognized for its ultra-sharp cutting edge and long-lasting performance. Many professional hairstylists prefer ATS-314 for its high precision and reliability.
Key Benefits:
- Superior sharpness
- Exceptional durability and wear resistance
- Maintains edge sharpness longer
2. Hitachi 440C Stainless Steel
440C stainless steel is a widely used material in professional hair scissors due to its high carbon content. This steel offers strong durability, sharpness, and reliability, making it a great choice for busy stylists.
Key Benefits:
- Long-lasting sharpness
- High strength and durability
- Good corrosion resistance
3. VG-10 Steel
VG-10 steel is one of the top choices for premium hairdressing scissors, particularly among Japanese shear manufacturers. It is well-known for its exceptional edge retention and durability. This high-quality steel is also corrosion-resistant, making it ideal for heavy salon use.
Key Benefits:
- Outstanding sharpness
- Excellent edge retention
- Highly corrosion-resistant
4. Hitachi 440B Steel
Hitachi 440B steel offers a well-balanced performance. It is easier to sharpen than 440C, making it a practical choice for barbers and hairstylists seeking affordability and consistency.
Key Benefits:
- Affordable yet reliable performance
- Good sharpness retention
- Easy maintenance and sharpening
5. Damascus Steel
Damascus steel shears are highly valued for their unique aesthetic patterns and exceptional strength. Created by layering different steel alloys, Damascus scissors are both visually stunning and highly durable.
Key Benefits:
- Distinctive aesthetic appeal
- Exceptionally strong and durable
- Superior edge retention
6. AUS-8 Steel
AUS-8 steel is a Japanese stainless steel commonly used in mid-range professional scissors. It provides a balance of sharpness, durability, and affordability.
Key Benefits:
- Good sharpness and easy sharpening
- High corrosion resistance
- Excellent value for money
7. Cobalt Alloy Steel
Cobalt alloy steel enhances the hardness, sharpness, and edge retention of professional shears. This steel is often used in high-end barber shears due to its exceptional cutting precision.
Key Benefits:
- Superior hardness and edge retention
- Exceptional durability
- Excellent corrosion resistance
8. Molybdenum Steel
Molybdenum steel contains molybdenum, a metal that enhances strength and edge retention. It is a preferred choice for professional hairstylists due to its long-lasting sharpness and reliability.
Key Benefits:
- Excellent strength and durability
- Maintains sharpness longer
- Corrosion-resistant and easy to maintain
9. Hitachi Silver Steel
Hitachi Silver Steel is a high-performance Japanese steel known for its superior sharpness and edge retention. It helps reduce hand fatigue during long cutting sessions.
Key Benefits:
- Exceptional sharpness and precision
- Excellent wear resistance
- Long-lasting performance
10. 9CR18 Stainless Steel
9CR18 stainless steel is commonly used in entry-level professional scissors. It offers reliable cutting-edge, corrosion resistance, and affordability, making it a great choice for new stylists.
Key Benefits:
- Good sharpness and edge retention
- Strong corrosion resistance
- Affordable professional performance
11. SUS420J2 Steel
SUS420J2 steel is used in mid-range hairdressing shears. It is easy to sharpen and provides consistent cutting performance at a budget-friendly price.
Key Benefits:
- Good edge retention
- Easy maintenance and sharpening
- Reliable corrosion resistance
12. Powder Steel (Micro Carbide Steel)
Powder steel, also known as micro carbide steel, is an advanced alloy designed for high-end professional hairdressing scissors. It is crafted using powdered metallurgy, resulting in unparalleled sharpness and durability.
Key Benefits:
- Unmatched edge sharpness and stability
- Superior wear resistance
- Ideal for precision haircutting techniques
How to Choose the Right Steel for Your Hairdressing Scissors
When selecting hairdressing scissors or barber shears, consider the following factors:
- Sharpness: Premium steels like ATS-314, VG-10, and HITACHI 440C offer razor-sharp cutting precision.
- Edge Retention: High-end steels maintain their sharpness longer, reducing the need for frequent sharpening.
- Maintenance: Easy-to-maintain steels like AUS-8 and 440B are perfect for hairstylists who prefer low-maintenance scissors.
- Corrosion Resistance: Stainless steels provide long-term durability, protecting against rust and corrosion.
Final Thoughts on Steel for Hairdressing Scissors & Barber Shears
Choosing the right professional hairdressing scissors or barber shears significantly impacts your hairstyling performance.
- Premium steels like ATS-314, VG-10, and HITACHI 440C provide unmatched sharpness and longevity, making them ideal for precision haircutting.
- More affordable options like AUS-8, and Hitachi 440B offer strong durability and great value for money.
By investing in high-quality steel scissors, hairstylists and barbers can enhance their cutting precision, reduce fatigue, and improve client satisfaction over time.
Looking for professional hairdressing scissors made from the best steel? Browse our premium selection today!
