Scissors and shears are the two important tools that work in sync for a hairstylist. A hairstylist cannot prefer one over another, considering the benevolence of both items. Nonetheless, laymen, amateurs, and beginners often get confused while differentiating the scissor and shear. A lot of ambiguity is indeed involved herein. Moreover, their role in hairstyling is also very intriguing to find out.
The truth is that either shears or scissors both work in close liaison for every hair type. None could claim that the whole hairstyle is made perfect by a single shear or scissor.
This article is dedicated to contrasting the shears from scissors, so the idea should be clean and clear.
Construction similarities
Both scissors and shears are composed of two blades fastened by a pivot and tension screw. Although the size varies, the 4.5-7.5 is the most sought-after bracket for hairstyling. Steel is often used as a composting material that provides optimal durability, sharpness, and endurance.
Construction dissimilarities
Shears refer to cutting tools longer than 6.0” length laced with double edges and two different-size finger holes. On the flip side, scissors are usually less than 6.0” in size, while the finger holes are similar in length.
Shears with regards to hairstyling
Short-and-long bladed precision cutting shears.
Precision-cutting shears are the traditional arsenal of the hairstylist. It is recommended to be used on palm-to-palm cutting or any style where the fingers hold hair. Its longer blades are also ideal for face drawing, cutting on the skin, or shear over comb.
Blending or thinning shears
Having one narrow cutting blade and another with fine teeth, this shear is ideal for thinning out the thick sections or blending out weight lines or cutting marks. The identification mark of this genre of shear is the presence of a small 'V' in the tip of each tooth.
Texturizing shears
With wider teeth and spaces, texturizing shears create a castle wall effect into the hair. This type is also handy for point cutting.
Swivel shears
This type of shears has a rotating thumb that allows the thumb to nestle into the most comforting position, such as lower elbow and straight wrist. Swivel shears are recommended for all the hairstyles requiring the mentioned posture.
Scissors with regards to hairstyling
Short-bladed scissors
Viable for smaller hands, short-based scissors are vital for every slicing and ladies' haircutting. These are lightweight and reduce the hand fatigue manifold.
Long-bladed scissors
Some styling techniques such as scissor over comb, blunt-cutting, and straight cutting lines require a wider surface area that is fulfilled in this type.
Wide-tooth thinner scissors
Thinners are designed to thin out bulky chunks of hair by snipping a higher percentage of hair at every cut. This pair of scissors is ideal to be applied on thick and coarse hair.
Blending scissors
Blending scissors are a great facilitator in thinning out without losing out the natural tone. It controls the precision and does not take too much hair at once.
Conclusion
Hairstylists need the backup of both types of cutting tools. One is incomplete without the other half. We have also mentioned some of the common-used hair techniques that require either scissors or shear support. Both are different and similar at the same time. Discern the distinction at the saloon!