Shear and Scissors 101, Part Two of Our Ungoing Series,  How to Buy Shears for MAD Hair Cutting!  "Metal-ology" The Metal Aspect of Shears and Scissors

There are thousands of hair shears out there to choose from, different metals, different handles, lengths, ergonomic, thinning shears, convex, this and that. . . the list seems almost endless but hey, it's OK, it isn't endless! Chill! When you have graduated from your cosmetology student shears and it is time to buy those first shears, we recommend that you choose your "workhorse" shear. This shear will be the main shear you use when cutting hair. We also recommend a thinning shear  (sometimes called a blender or texturizer scissor) as well.

Your talents are limited by your shears and your shears are limited by your talents. We have talked to numerous shear manufactures and they are all in agreement. They all suggest buying a shear one step ahead of your skills and talents. We agree hands down. It is wise to invest in shears that will ultimately last you for a while. You sure don't want to be held back by your student shears. So, how do you choose that shear?

The first thing you need is a little course on metal. OK, this is easy, you didn't have to minor in "metal-ogy" to get this. Lets go to the kitchen, pick up a fork, look at that fork. Is it rusted? Is it pitted? Probably not. "Silverware" as many call it, is made out of stainless steel. Stainless steel is strong, and anti-corrosive resistant. Now go look at that black iron skillet that grandma used to cook in. Is it strong? Do you think you could break it? WE HOPE NOT! LOL! That Stainless Steel Silverware is made of iron and carbon, like grandma's skillet, mixed with other alloys (metals) to make it "stainless".

Stainless steel does not rust unless subjected to real abuse! Stainless steel is iron, carbon, and other alloys like chronium all mixed together. This potion isn't a secret but it is the key to a quality shear. Every hair shear is made with a stainless steel mixture of alloys. Some shears contain cobalt, otherwise known as molybdenm (moly steel), sulpher, manganese, and even silicon. And, no, it isn't the same silicon your friend Heather is thinking about adding to her body to enhance certain aspects!

Ultimately, hairstylist, barbers, and groomers want to launch your new career with the best shears you can afford and only you know that price but, MADShears recommends that you choose your first shears wisely. Down the road, instead of buying a new pair of shears to replace the ones you have; you can add NEW ones to your shear collection. As your skills and talents grow, so should your collection of shears.

All this metal talk is going some where. We promise. The Big Rockwell scale. Simply put, the Rockwell Hardness scale measures how hard a metal is. Hardness is determined by using a load to push a diamonded cone into the metal.The depth the cone travels into the metal is the degree of hardness. The higher the degree of Rockwell, the harder the metal. But, hardest isn't always the best. Shears ideally should be hard enough to prevent corrosion and to hold that MAD sharp edge, but light enough to be easily used. We don't want your arm falling off, but we don't want you cutting with a shear that won't stay sharp either.

The industry standard for hair shears is hotly debated right now but, 440 Stainless Steel is universally agreed on as being the best base for a hair shear. You may see it referred to as simply 440 Stainless Steel or you may see Japanese Steel. These terms are pretty much interchangable. So, don't be afraid of the "metal-ogy", you just passed with flying colors!

Next up, Forging and Casting and we aren't talking about Hollywood! And Handling the Handle!  If  You Need Help NOW, e-mail us CS@MADShears.com or give us a buzz at 336-510-9278.  We will be more than happy to assist you in buying the right shear for you or answering any questions you have about shears! Buying a Shear as a Gift for Someone?  We can give you specific information you will need to buy what that person would want and what that person needs.