Cobalt vs VG10 vs ATS-314: Which Steel is Best for Hairdressing Scissors?

The steel in your hairdressing scissors determines how sharp they get, how long they stay sharp, and how they perform over their lifetime. Three steel types dominate the professional scissor market: cobalt alloy, VG10, and ATS-314. Understanding the differences helps you make an informed choice that matches your budget, your technique, and your expectations.

Steel Grades Explained

Cobalt Alloy (56-58 HRC)

Cobalt alloy is the entry point for Japanese steel scissors. The addition of cobalt to the steel matrix improves hardness and edge retention compared to basic stainless steels like 440C. Cobalt scissors are typically lighter in weight and offer good performance at a more accessible price point.

Best suited for: apprentices, stylists on a budget, or as a secondary pair in your kit.

VG10 (57-59 HRC)

VG10 (V Gold 10) is a premium Japanese steel produced by Takefu Special Steel. It contains higher carbon and vanadium content than cobalt alloys, providing better edge retention and a finer cutting edge. VG10 has become the default choice in many mid-to-premium scissor brands worldwide.

Best suited for: experienced stylists who want quality without the top-tier price.

ATS-314 (58-60 HRC / Forged: 60-62 HRC)

ATS-314 is a high-carbon martensitic stainless steel produced by Hitachi Metals. It achieves higher hardness than both cobalt and VG10 while maintaining excellent corrosion resistance. The higher carbon content (over 1%) combined with molybdenum and vanadium creates a steel that holds its edge longer than any other commonly used scissor steel.

Best suited for: professionals who demand the longest edge retention and are willing to invest in premium performance. This is the steel used exclusively in every ShearGenius scissor.

Steel Comparison Table

Property	Cobalt Alloy	VG10	ATS-314	Forged ATS-314
Rockwell Hardness (HRC)	56-58	57-59	58-60	60-62
Edge Retention	Good	Very Good	Excellent	Outstanding
Corrosion Resistance	Good	Good	Very Good	Very Good
Toughness	Very Good	Good	Good	Moderate
Ease of Sharpening	Easy	Moderate	Moderate	Requires specialist
Haircuts Between Sharpenings	400-600	500-700	600-800	700-900+
Typical Price Range	$200-$400	$350-$600	$450-$700	$600-$900+

What Rockwell Hardness Means in Practice

The Rockwell C scale measures how resistant a steel is to permanent deformation. For scissors, harder steel (higher HRC) holds a finer edge for more haircuts. The trade-off is that harder steel is more brittle and more difficult to sharpen.

The practical impact: a cobalt scissor at 56 HRC might need sharpening every 4-5 months for a busy stylist, while an ATS-314 scissor at 58-60 HRC might go 6-8 months between services. Over a 10-year scissor life, that difference adds up to significant savings in sharpening costs and reduced downtime.

Why ShearGenius Chose ATS-314

After testing dozens of steel alloys over 30 years, we settled on Hitachi ATS-314 because it delivers the best balance of edge retention, corrosion resistance, and long-term durability for the Australian salon environment. Australian humidity is particularly tough on lower-grade steels, and ATS-314's chromium content provides reliable corrosion resistance without compromising hardness.

Care Tips for Any Steel

• Wipe after every client — moisture and hair particles accelerate corrosion on all steels
• Oil the pivot weekly — prevents metal-on-metal wear
• Store in a case — protects the edge from accidental nicks
• Professional sharpening only — harder steels especially require specialist equipment
• Never cut non-hair materials — tape, foil, and synthetics damage any edge

Learn more about ATS-314 on our dedicated steel page, or browse our full range of Japanese ATS-314 scissors. For common questions, visit our FAQ page.