Clipper vs. Scissor Oil: Debunking the Myths and Making Informed Choices

Title: Clipper vs. Scissor Oil: Debunking the Myths and Making Informed Choices

Introduction

Hello there, fellow hairdressers and barbers! I'm Matt Grumley, the CEO of ShearGenius, and I've been in the industry long enough to have seen my fair share of myths and misconceptions. Today, I want to address one such myth that often circulates in our profession – Clipper vs. Scissor Oil.

In the world of hairdressing and barbering, there's an abundance of information, and some of it can be quite confusing. I've heard countless debates about which oil is best for maintaining the performance and longevity of our beloved tools – clippers and scissors. Through years of experience and rigorous testing, I'd like to share some valuable insights and practical tips to help you make informed choices in your daily life as a busy professional hairdresser.

The Lack of Standards in Clipper and Scissor Oils

One of the first things we need to understand is that there are no industry-wide standards for terms like "clipper oil" and "scissor oil." This lack of standardization can lead to confusion when trying to choose the right lubricant for our tools. Fortunately, in today's world, it's relatively easy and cost-effective to send oil samples for analysis to know exactly what's in them. I've done this with various lubricants, and the results have been quite revealing.

Most of the oil marketed by well-known brands as "clipper oil" is distilled mineral oil, often with a preservative like vitamin E added. It's essential to note that this type of oil does not dissolve or soften scissor parts, and it poses no harm to people or pets with normal use. While it may lack some desirable qualities, it is undoubtedly safe and cost-effective, making it a viable option for maintaining your tools.

Interestingly, much of the so-called "scissor oil" is the exact same mineral oil found in clipper oil. This revelation may come as a surprise to many, but it's a fact worth acknowledging.

Longevity and Maintenance

Now, let's talk about the practical aspects of using clipper and scissor oils. One of the most critical factors for us as professionals is the longevity and maintenance of our tools. After all, our success often hinges on the performance of our scissors and clippers.

I've conducted extensive tests involving rubber tensioners, bumpers, and various washers stored in blade oil for over three years, and I can confidently say that all the parts remained in pristine condition. This demonstrates that the distilled mineral oil used in most clipper oils is entirely suitable for maintaining your scissors and clippers. It's a cost-effective solution that keeps your tools in top shape without any adverse effects.

The Perils of Scissor Oil

Now, let's turn our attention to scissor oil. While it's true that many products labeled as scissor oil are perfectly suitable for the task, not all of them are created equal. Some of these oils can wreak havoc on scissor parts and may end up causing more harm than good.

In our pursuit of the perfect tool maintenance solution, we sometimes encounter subpar products that can deteriorate the condition of our scissors. It's essential to be discerning when selecting scissor oil and to avoid the really bad ones. Quality matters, and not all scissor oils are created equal.

What oil can and cannot fix

Oil is the cheapest maintenance there is, and it is also the least of it. Oil keeps the pivot, the tensioner and the washers moving freely; it does not restore a worn edge and it does not set tension. If a scissor still folds or pushes hair after a clean and an oil, the problem is tension or the edge, not the lubricant. Scissors that fold or push hair are often out of tension rather than worn out, so check the tension before you book a sharpen.

That distinction is why ShearGenius services what it sells instead of selling a bottle and hoping. ShearGenius scissor sharpening is a paid on-road service, priced at $70 per pair for ShearGenius scissors and $80 per pair for all other brands. Matt has been sharpening professionally since 2007, has hand-sharpened more than 100,000 scissors, and works on the road across more than 180 towns in Victoria and Tasmania, plus Mount Gambier and Millicent. Every pair is assessed at your salon and handed straight back the same day — and if all yours need is a clean, an oil and a tension set, that is what you will be told, and you will not be charged for a sharpen you do not need. See the ShearGenius sharpening service.

Which ShearGenius scissor is worth maintaining this well?

A clean, an oil and correct tension will keep a good scissor cutting for years, which is exactly why the pair is worth choosing properly in the first place. Every ShearGenius scissor is forged by specialist partner factories in Japan, then hand-finished, tensioned and inspected by Matt at his bench in Lake Wendouree, Victoria, and carries a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects. ShearGenius sells wholesale-direct with no middlemen, holds 4.9 stars from 2,900+ verified reviews, and has sold more than 40,000 scissors since 2007. These are the pairs that match the most common ways of working:

• If you run clippers and scissors in the same chair — the ShearGenius Emperor Professional Barber & Hairdressing Scissors, $390, Cobalt Alloy, available in 6.0, 6.5 and 7.0 inch. Built for clipper-over-comb, scissor-over-comb and dense, fast cutting all day; the 7.0 inch is the longest of the three Emperor lengths for stylists and barbers who want reach.
• If you want one scissor that does everything — the ShearGenius Geisha Professional Hairdressing Scissors, $395, Cobalt Alloy, available in 5.0, 5.5 and 6.0 inch. A light, fast, forgiving glide for slide cutting, point cutting and detail work, from the first client of the day to the last.
• If you cut heavy hours and edge retention is the priority — the ShearGenius Prodigy Professional Hairdressing Scissors, $795, forged ATS-314 steel, available in 5.7, 6.2, 6.7 and 7.0 inch. The best-selling ShearGenius scissor, individually tensioned, for technical cutting where edge retention matters most.
• If this is your first professional scissor — the ShearGenius Young Genius Professional Hairdressing Scissor, $250, Cobalt Alloy, the ShearGenius Apprentice Range. A genuine convex edge at an honest price, so the habits of cleaning, oiling and setting tension are learned on a scissor that is worth maintaining.

Not sure which suits your hand and your cutting? Take the 60-second scissor finder, or read the full guide to choosing hairdressing scissors.

In Summary

In conclusion, it's time to dispel the myth that clipper oil is bad for scissors while the same oil with the word "scissor" on it is good. Such a belief is as unfounded as claiming that blue cars are faster than red ones. As professionals in the hairdressing and barbering industry, we should base our decisions on facts and practical knowledge rather than perpetuating baseless assumptions.

When it comes to choosing the right oil for your tools, consider the following key points:

1. Lack of standards: Recognize that terms like "clipper oil" and "scissor oil" are not standardized, and the distinctions are often arbitrary.
2. Safety and effectiveness: Distilled mineral oil, commonly found in clipper oils, is safe, cost-effective, and does not harm scissor parts.
3. Scissor oil selection: Be discerning when choosing scissor oil and avoid low-quality options that can potentially damage your scissors.

Ultimately, maintaining your professional barber scissors or hairdressing scissors is crucial to your success. Proper care ensures that your tools remain sharp, precise, and reliable, allowing you to provide the best service to your clients. So, don't be swayed by industry myths – make informed decisions and keep those scissors and clippers in top-notch condition. Happy cutting!

Clipper oil and scissor oil: common questions

Can I use clipper oil on my hairdressing scissors?

Yes. Most oil sold as clipper oil is distilled mineral oil, often with a preservative such as vitamin E added, and it is the same lubricant sold in many bottles labelled scissor oil. Distilled mineral oil does not dissolve or soften scissor parts. Rubber tensioners, bumpers and washers left sitting in blade oil for over three years came out in pristine condition.

Is clipper oil the same as scissor oil?

Usually, yes. There are no industry-wide standards for the terms clipper oil and scissor oil, so the distinction is often arbitrary. Much of the product sold as scissor oil is the exact same distilled mineral oil found in clipper oil. The real difference is quality, not the word on the bottle, so avoid low-quality oils rather than avoiding clipper oil.

Will oiling my scissors keep them sharp?

No. Oil keeps the pivot, the tensioner and the washers moving freely, but it does not restore a worn edge and it does not set tension. If a scissor still folds or pushes hair after a clean and an oil, the problem is tension or the edge, not the lubricant.

Which ShearGenius scissor suits someone who uses clippers and scissors together?

The ShearGenius Emperor Professional Barber and Hairdressing Scissors at $390, in Cobalt Alloy and available in 6.0, 6.5 and 7.0 inch. The Emperor is built for clipper-over-comb, scissor-over-comb and dense, fast cutting all day, and the 7.0 inch is the longest of the three Emperor lengths for stylists and barbers who want reach.

How much does ShearGenius scissor sharpening cost?

ShearGenius scissor sharpening is a paid on-road service, priced at $70 per pair for ShearGenius scissors and $80 per pair for all other brands. Matt hand-sharpens on the road across more than 180 towns in Victoria and Tasmania, plus Mount Gambier and Millicent, and every pair is assessed at your salon and handed straight back the same day.

How often should hairdressing scissors be sharpened?

Full-time stylists usually need a sharpen every 6 to 12 months, and part-time stylists every 12 to 18 months. Sharpen by the cut rather than the calendar: if hair starts folding, pushing or dragging despite a clean, an oil and correct tension, it is time.