Ride Line

<Ride Line>

There is a significant difference in the quality of hair scissors by their material, heat treatment, and craftsmanship.

Visual inspection makes the differences in material and heat treatment quality challenging to distinguish. However, craftsmanship is easy to spot. Of the qualities the eye can inspect, the ride line is one of the most critical elements.

If the ride line is not made correctly, the scissors won't cut hair properly or will feel off. To make the best ride line, you must maintain your whetstone flat. 

Otherwise, the surface becomes curved, not flat. The curved part makes the cutting power weak. Unfortunately, it is hard to check that subtle difference upon visual inspection. Therefore, flattening the whetstone is an essential process for sharpening.

I use whetstones and lapping films depending on the shears' condition. Most factories use whetstones, but I recommend that sharpeners use lapping films.

There are a variety of reasons. PSA-backed lapping films on metal blocks can be used to maintain a flattened surface at all times. Lapping films are also used in dry conditions, so they are 3 times faster and more accurate than a whetstone.

The cost is a bit high for factory use, but it is better suited for mobile sharpeners. Based on my experience, my sharpening service with lapping films made most stylists happy, which eventually brought in more income to cover expenses as more customers wanted my service.

 Another reason lapping films are recommended is that whetstones create a mess, as black, powder-like material rubs off the stone and mixes with the water when honing the blade. However, this mess makes honing possible, but it's inconvenient for non-factory use, like mobile sharpening.

Also, the whetstones must be soaked for 10 minutes before use.