FAQ & Help Centre | Your Questions Answered

Right, let's sort this out properly. For most stylists, 5.5" is the sweet spot - versatile enough for everything from precision bobs to general cutting. But here's the thing:

• Small hands or detail work: Go for 5.0" - 5.5"
• Average hands, all-round use: 5.5" - 6.0" (most popular)
• Larger hands or barbering: 6.0" - 7.0"

Pro tip: Measure from your palm to middle fingertip - that's roughly your ideal scissor length. Not sure? Our 7-day return policy lets you exchange if needed.

Offset handles are a game-changer for preventing RSI - massive issue in our industry. Here's the breakdown:

• Offset handles: Shorter thumb handle, keeps your elbow down, reduces strain by up to 30%. Most professionals prefer these.
• Straight/Classic handles: Traditional design, some old-school barbers swear by them
• Crane handles: Extreme offset for maximum ergonomics
• Swivel thumb: Rotating thumb ring - brilliant for RSI prevention

If you're cutting all day, offset or crane handles will save your wrist. Trust me on this one.

This is where Japanese scissors really shine:

• Convex edge (Japanese style): Razor sharp, perfect for slide cutting and precision work. All our Yasaka, Juntetsu, and Joewell scissors have this. Needs professional sharpening but cuts like butter.
• Beveled edge: More durable, easier to maintain, but can't match the smoothness of convex for advanced techniques
• Semi-convex: Middle ground - good for beginners who want quality without the maintenance

Once you've used proper convex edges, you won't go back. The difference in cutting feel is night and day.

If you're left-handed, yes - proper left-handed scissors make a massive difference. Here's why:

• True left-handed scissors have reversed blades (not just handles)
• Better visibility of your cutting line
• Reduces hand fatigue and improves accuracy
• About 12% of UK stylists are lefties - you're not alone!

Most of our brands offer left-handed options. They cost a bit more (specialized manufacturing) but your hands will thank you. Mina and Ichiro have affordable leftie options starting at £119.

Starting out? Don't go too cheap or you'll struggle with your cuts. Here's what works:

• Mina Sakura Series (£99-179): Genuine Japanese steel, convex edge, brilliant for students
• Ichiro Entry Level (£149-199): Step up in quality, more size options
• Student Sets (£199-299): Include cutting and thinning scissors - better value

Reality check: Yes, £150 seems like a lot when you're training, but cheap scissors will make learning harder and need replacing within a year. These will last through your training and beyond. Use our student discount for 20% off!

Short answer? Yes. Here's why Japanese scissors dominate the professional market:

• Steel quality: Japanese VG10 and 440C steel stays sharp 2-3x longer
• Convex edge: They invented it - smoother cutting, less hand fatigue
• Craftsmanship: Decades of sword-making tradition applied to scissors
• Longevity: Properly maintained, they'll last 10+ years

German scissors (like Jaguar) are also excellent - more durable, less maintenance. But for pure cutting performance? Japanese wins. Most UK professionals end up with both.

Getting the right fit is crucial. Here's how to measure:

1. Place a ruler in your palm (where scissors would sit)
2. Extend to your middle fingertip
3. That measurement = your ideal scissor length

General guide:

• Small hands (under 16cm): 5.0" - 5.5" scissors
• Medium hands (16-18cm): 5.5" - 6.0" scissors
• Large hands (over 18cm): 6.0" - 7.0" scissors

Remember: Too long = less control, too short = hand cramping. When in doubt, go with 5.5" - it's popular for a reason.

Absolutely! We know college is expensive enough without quality tools breaking the bank.

Student Discount: 20% off on these brands:

• Ichiro Scissors
• Mina Scissors
• Juntetsu Scissors

How to get it: Email us your student ID or enrollment letter. We'll send you a personal discount code within 24 hours. Valid for all current UK hairdressing and barbering students.

Yes! Our Professional Rewards Programme rewards loyalty:

• 1st Order: Current prices + complimentary maintenance kit
• 2nd Order: 10% off your entire order
• 3rd Order: 15% off your entire order
• 4th Order onwards: 20% off for life

Available on select professional brands. Contact us at support@japanscissors.co.uk to enroll. Perfect for stylists building their collection over time.

Yes! We offer several payment options to make quality scissors accessible:

• Clearpay: Split into 4 interest-free payments over 6 weeks
• Klarna: Pay in 3 instalments or pay in 30 days
• PayPal Credit: Longer-term financing available

Perfect for spreading the cost of premium scissors. All options available at checkout - no hidden fees if you pay on time.

Yes, all our prices include VAT - no nasty surprises at checkout. What you see is what you pay.

For professional purchases, we can provide VAT invoices for your records. Just tick the box at checkout or email us after ordering.

We dispatch same day for orders placed before 2pm (Monday-Friday):

• Standard delivery: 2-3 working days (free on all orders)
• Express delivery: Next working day (£9.95)
• Saturday delivery: Available for £14.95

You'll get tracking info as soon as your order ships. We use DPD and Royal Mail - both reliable with good tracking.

Absolutely! Free delivery across all of the UK:

• England: 2-3 working days
• Scotland: 2-3 working days
• Wales: 2-3 working days
• Northern Ireland: 3-4 working days

Remote areas (Highlands, Islands) might take an extra day. Same free delivery policy applies everywhere.

Yes! We offer a 7-day trial period because we know choosing scissors online is tricky.

How it works:

• Try them carefully (keep packaging)
• Not right? Contact us within 7 days
• Return in original condition
• Choose: exchange, refund (minus 10% restocking), or store credit (no fee)

This doesn't apply to custom orders or left-handed scissors (specially made for you). But for standard scissors? Try them risk-free.

Depends how busy you are:

• Full-time stylist (20+ cuts daily): Every 3-4 months
• Part-time (10-15 cuts daily): Every 6 months
• Light use: Once a year

Signs they need sharpening:

• Hair folds instead of cutting cleanly
• You're pushing harder than usual
• Scissors feel "crunchy" when closing

Warning: Only use certified sharpeners! Bad sharpening ruins scissors. We can recommend trusted services in your area.

30 seconds of daily care adds years to your scissors' life:

1. After each client: Wipe blades with soft cloth
2. End of day: Clean with alcohol wipe, dry thoroughly
3. Oil daily: One drop on pivot point, open/close several times
4. Store properly: In case, never loose in drawer

Never: Leave them wet, use them on anything but hair, or drop them (obvs, but it happens!)

Different tools for different jobs:

Cutting shears:

• Two straight blades for clean cuts
• Used for length removal and shaping
• Your main tool - used 80% of the time

Thinning shears:

• One straight blade, one with teeth (20-40 teeth typically)
• Removes bulk without changing length much
• Creates texture and blends sections
• Different tooth counts = different effects

Most professionals have both. Start with good cutting scissors, add thinning scissors when you can.

For slide cutting, you need ultra-sharp convex edges. No question.

Best scissors for slide cutting:

• Yasaka YS Series - legendary for this technique
• Juntetsu Premium - incredibly smooth action
• Joewell Classic - what many educators use

The key is the polished convex edge and perfect tension. Beveled edges just can't glide through hair the same way. Keep slide cutting scissors separate - using them for regular cutting dulls the special edge.

Japanese steel leads the market. Here's what to look for:

• 440C Stainless: Good entry level, holds edge well
• VG10: Premium steel, exceptional sharpness (used in Juntetsu)
• ATS314 Cobalt: Top tier, found in Yasaka - usually in £800+ scissors
• Damascus: Beautiful patterns, ultimate sharpness (Kamisori specialty)

Hardness matters too: Look for 58-62 HRC (Rockwell hardness). Too soft won't hold edge, too hard becomes brittle.

Honestly? Any genuine Japanese steel from our brands will outperform cheap alternatives. The difference is how long they stay sharp.

Swivel thumb scissors are brilliant for RSI prevention - the rotating thumb ring lets your hand stay in a natural position.

Benefits:

• Reduces thumb strain by up to 50%
• Allows more natural hand movement
• Great for stylists with existing RSI issues
• Takes a week to get used to, then you won't go back

Who should consider them:

• Anyone with thumb/wrist pain
• Full-time stylists doing 20+ cuts daily
• Those wanting to prevent future problems

Yasaka and Kamisori offer excellent swivel options. Worth the investment if you're cutting all day.

For scissor-over-comb, you want longer blades - typically 6.5" to 7.0". Here's why:

• Longer blade = better comb control
• Can see your guide clearly
• More efficient for larger sections
• Reduces hand fatigue on longer cuts

Top picks for scissor-over-comb:

• Kamisori 7" Barber Series
• Juntetsu 6.5" Professional
• Jaguar 6.5" - German engineering, very stable

Many barbers keep a dedicated longer pair just for this technique.

You can, but proceed with caution! Here's how to do it safely:

What you need:

• Proper hair scissors (never use kitchen scissors!)
• Good lighting and mirror
• Spray bottle for damp (not wet) hair

Technique:

1. Cut less than you think you need
2. Point cut (vertical snips) for softer edge
3. Work in small sections
4. Check both sides frequently

Better option: Buy a pair of Mina scissors (£99) for home use. Kitchen scissors will give you split ends and wonky cuts. Or just see your stylist - fixing bad fringes costs more than a trim!

Each brand has its strengths. Here's the honest breakdown:

• Mina (£99-349): Perfect starter scissors, genuine quality without the premium price
• Ichiro (£149-499): Great all-rounders, lovely rose gold options, Instagram-worthy
• Juntetsu (£249-799): 67-step forging process, exceptional sharpness, worth every penny
• Yasaka (£299-649): Best value premium scissors, ATS314 steel usually found in £1000+ scissors
• Kasho (£319-649): 40% lighter than standard - game-changer for busy stylists
• Joewell (£399-749): 100+ year heritage, what competition stylists use
• Jaguar (£149-799): German engineering, incredibly durable, less maintenance
• Kamisori (£479-1299): Hand-forged Damascus steel, functional art pieces

Can't decide? Email us your budget and cutting style - we'll recommend the perfect match.

Great question - fake scissors are a real problem online. Here's how to ensure authenticity:

What to look for:

• Authorised dealer status (we are for all brands)
• Proper warranties with manufacturer support
• Realistic prices (if Yasaka is under £200, it's fake)
• UK presence with real contact details

Red flags:

• Prices too good to be true
• No physical address or phone number
• Ships from random countries
• No mention of warranty

We're authorised UK dealers for every brand we stock. Full manufacturer warranties, genuine products, proper support. No grey market nonsense.