About Us

A Story of Authentic Japanese Precision

Since 1996, we have been dedicated to developing professional hair-cutting shears that hairstylists and barbers can rely on every day.

Our focus is simple: exceptional sharpness, reliable performance, and long-lasting quality. By combining Japanese manufacturing expertise with feedback from working professionals, we strive to create shears that deliver precision and comfort with every cut.



Quality Is No Accident

From our specialty tungsten scissors to our patented Painkiller® flexible thumb series, we leave no detail overlooked in our pursuit of perfection, from the first sketch to the final edge. 

Backed by a network of industry veterans and access to world-class technology, MICHIKO® lets you invest with confidence in authentic, patented, premium hair-cutting scissors.

The MICHIKO® Difference

What Sets Us Apart?

Evaluating the quality of hair-cutting scissors can be difficult, so we aim to make your decision easier by being open about how our scissors are made. We have spent years studying the art and science of Japanese hair-cutting scissors, and we are proud to bring the results to you. Everything we do is on a foundation of integrity because we know that trust isn't a given. It's earned, and we won't stop working to earn yours.

The MICHIKO®  Difference

The quality of a pair of scissors is determined by three things: the steel, the heat treatment, and the craftsmanship.

Steel: Most MICHIKO® scissors are made from forged Hitachi ATS-314 steel, and some models use forged SUS 440C.

Heat treatment: Our heat treatment process is overseen by a Japanese specialist with a PhD in metallurgy. Heat treatment can change the properties of the same steel many times over, so we treat it as one of the most important steps.

Craftsmanship: Our scissors are finished in Japan by skilled artisans. Just as no two hairstylists cut exactly alike, no two artisans work exactly alike. Even when the steel is the same, we grade each pair by the artisan’s level of skill and price them accordingly.

Better quality comes from choosing the right steel, refining the heat treatment, and the focused work of experienced artisans. No one can judge the quality of a finished pair of scissors by looking at it. Ensuring the unseen quality is our primary mission.

Our trade secret lies in the heat treatment process, carried out in a vacuum furnace dedicated to MICHIKO® scissors to improve durability. The process was developed by a Japanese specialist with a PhD in metallurgy.


To create our original 3D handle, we work directly with hairdressers. Even when it takes dozens of molds, we keep refining it for a comfortable grip, a sharp snip, and a clean, precise cut.


Professional hair-cutting scissors are precision tools. MICHIKO® scissors are made with modern machinery to keep measurements consistent and accurate.
 

Tungsten Scissors Durability Test Results

Our tungsten scissors are a specialty item, made in Korea through a technical partnership with a Japanese scissor company. They are not MICHIKO® brand products, and we offer them as a specialty line.

Tungsten is rare in hair-cutting scissors and well suited to dry cutting. In a mechanical cutting comparison, both pairs were tested under the same conditions, and the tungsten scissors kept their edge noticeably longer than stainless steel scissors (see images below).

Beyond the lab, many of the hairdressers and barbers who bought them have told us they cut dry for nearly 10 years without sharpening. Results vary with use and care.

Designed for Wrist Comfort


The Painkiller® swivel shear features a US-patented flexible thumb ring designed to support more natural wrist movement. You can cut without bending your wrist awkwardly, and you can hold a comb without pulling your thumb out of the ring.



Our Reputation Speaks for Itself

Our sharp, long-lasting hair-cutting scissors have earned the trust of many barbers and hairstylists, who come back to MICHIKO® repeatedly and stay with us for years.