What You Need To Know About Scissors

Scissor Tension Settings

Adjusting scissors is your daily responsibility.

Tension is the ability of the blades to gently press against each other allowing them to cut hair as they close.

If you ignore the importance of this daily maintenance you will cause premature dulling to the scissors edge and it is possible to permanently damage the blades.

Each pair of scissors has only one correct tension setting.  This setting is determined by the type of tension system that is on your scissors.

A. Tension system with any type of nut that clicks when you adjust it.

B. Screw system that is adjusted with a screw drive or a coin.

C. Tension system with any type of nut that does not click when adjusted.

Follow these easy steps once you determine your tension system type

Step One: Always start by holding your scissors straight up by the thumb ring with the point at the 12:00 o'clock position; the finger ring blade points at the 9:00 o'clock position.

Step Two: Gently release the finger ring blade checking to see if it will drop or stay at the 9:00 o'clock position.

Adjustment A: Follow Step One & Step Two. For a tension systems that click when you adjust it, the finger ring blade should stay at the 9:00 o'clock position.

Once adjusted slightly shake the scissor, it should drop no more than to the 10 o'clock position. (see picture for Adjustment C) If it does not drop when slightly shaken the scissor will be to tight; loosen slightly.

For Adjustment A the finger ring blade should easily balance at the 9 o'clock position without being too tight.

If done daily this procedure will take 10 seconds or less.

Adjustment B. Follow Step One & Step Two.

For a tension system that needs a screwdriver or a coin to adjust; gently release finger ring blade from the 9:00 o'clock position and it should stop at the 11:00 o'clock position.

Always check your scissors tension prior to starting your work day. It only takes a few seconds, let this procedure become a natural part of your routine.

See additional tips at the bottom of this page.

Adjustment C: Follow Step One & Step Two.

For a tension system that does not click when it is adjusted; gently release the finger ring blade from the 9:00 o'clock position and it should  stop at the 10 o'clock position.

Accurate adjustments will make an extraordinary difference in your scissors performance. This fine-tuning can extend the performance life of your scissors edge three fold.

See additional tips at the bottom of this page.

Tips for Scissor Adjustments

• Check Tension before you start your work day.
• Always clean your scissors before adjusting.
• When making adjustments the blades need to be closed.
• Do your scissors bend hair?  This is a symptom of loose tension; another cause is when you place to much thumb inside the ring hole. This can force the blades to spread apart.
• If your scissors feel rough while cutting; check the tension.  When the blades are pressing together properly they struggle to cut the hair, making them feel as though they need to be sharpened.  Adjust them and see how much better they feel.
• Scissors that pinch hair while cutting, this is a symptom  that the tension could be to tight.  Another cause is by you pushing against the outside of the ring with your thumb.  Often this most noticeable when cutting on the skin; the neck line or around the ears.  Cutting in these area sometime causes you to twist your wrist back toward your body, thus placing more thumb pressure against the ring and pinching the tip of the scissors (just like tweezers pulling out a hair).
• Your individual adjustment can vary "slightly" from the recommended settings.  Every scissor has it's own personality as they get older; balance changes as they wear and when weight has been removed from excessive sharpening (see Repair Service).

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