What You Need To Know About Scissors

Holding Technique

Scissors are designed to be used in a consistent method that allows the thumb to control all of the blade movement while you are cutting. The fingers hold all of the scissors weight; freeing the thumb to open and close the blades without any pressure on the scissor or your hand. This method also keeps the finger ring blade from moving and in a stable position.

Your small finger is most vital because it holds the weight of the scissor when it is pressed down lightly on the finger rest. Without a finger rest the scissor weight is automatically shifted to the thumb and that is nothing but trouble. See Thumb Pressure.

Try holding your scissor without your thumb touching it.  You'll need to find the "sweet" balance point with just your fingers holding the scissor. You need to feel comfortable and in control.  Remember; no thumb touching the scissor. If you can do this your upper hand control is excellent.

Place as little thumb inside the thumb ring hole as possible.  There should not be any scissor weight on your thumb.  When you open and close the blades you'll notice how smooth and effortless this action is.

Each time you pick up your scissors finding the habitual "sweet" balance point should be a natural impulse, your thumb never touching your scissors until you are cutting hair.

For those of you that discover holding your scissor without your thumb somewhat difficult or your middle and index finger lifts off the handle. This method does get easier; your hand is tense and needs to relax.

Perform this little exercise; hold your scissor without using your thumb and rotate your hand and scissor in a figure 8 in front of your body for only 5 seconds. This simple exercise will force you to find the "sweet" balance point of the scissor while moving the scissor at the same time. Do this at least 2 to 3 times daily for a few days.  It will break the muscle memory you have programmed into your brain of your old habit of holding your scissor. Yes this works!

Within a couple of days this holding technique will become second nature to you and your hand will feel relaxed and at ease while cutting.  Once this relaxed state has been achieved you will be quite impressed with the improved performance of your scissors and the ease of executing your cutting technique.

Most problems or unexplained scissor issues are caused by poor tension adjustment, minimum daily cleaning, and lack of upper hand control. The scissor is a static tool. it only follows the example that is set by the user. See Tension Settings.

Proper upper hand control is the real solution to a real everyday issue that haircutters experience, sometimes for many years. Scissors that bend, pinch, push or pull hair are generally sent out to be sharpened when the majority of the time the cause is a lack of understanding on what makes the scissor actually cut hair and perform with outstanding accuracy.

Follow what we recommend in "What You Need To Know About Scissors" and you are really going to love your scissors.

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