Hair Shears vs Hair Scissors: Is There Actually a Difference?

If you've ever searched for hair shears and hair scissors and wondered whether they're the same thing — you're not alone. It's one of the most common questions I get from hairdressers, barbers, and apprentices across Australia. The short answer is: they're the same tool. The longer answer is more interesting.

Hair Shears and Hair Scissors: Same Tool, Different Names

In professional hairdressing, hair shears and hair scissors refer to the same cutting instrument. The difference is purely regional and historical:

• Scissors is the term most commonly used in Australia, the UK, and New Zealand. If you trained in an Australian salon or TAFE, you almost certainly call them scissors.
• Shears is the preferred term in the United States and Canada. American hairdressing schools and product manufacturers tend to use "shears" exclusively.
• In Japan — where the finest professional hair cutting tools are made — neither English term is used. They're called hasami, which simply means "cutting tool."

So when you see a product listed as "professional hair shears" or "professional hair scissors," you're looking at the same category of tool. The quality difference comes down to steel, blade geometry, and craftsmanship — not what you call them.

Why the Terminology Matters for Buying

Understanding that shears and scissors are interchangeable matters when you're shopping for a new pair. Many Australian hairdressers search for "hair scissors" while some of the best products are listed under "hair shears" — and vice versa. You could be missing out on the perfect pair simply because of a naming convention.

At ShearGenius, we use both terms because we serve hairdressers across Australia and internationally. Whether you're searching for hair shears or hair scissors, what actually matters is:

• The steel grade — Japanese steel is the gold standard. Our range uses Cobalt Alloy (56-58 HRC), ATS-314 (58-60 HRC), and Forged ATS-314 Ultimate Alloy (60-62 HRC). Read our steel comparison guide for the full breakdown.
• The blade type — Convex edges deliver the cleanest cut with the least effort. Bevelled edges are more forgiving but less precise. See convex vs bevelled edge scissors.
• The handle design — Offset ergonomic handles reduce strain during long cutting days. Crane handles offer even more wrist relief for stylists with RSI. Our full handle types guide covers all options.
• The tension system — A dual bearing flat system (standard on all ShearGenius models) provides smooth, consistent cutting and easy adjustment. Learn how to adjust your scissor tension.

When "Shears" Means Something Different

There is one context where "shears" refers to a distinctly different tool: thinning shears (also called thinning scissors or texturising scissors). These have one regular blade and one toothed blade, designed to remove bulk and add texture rather than cut clean lines.

Thinning shears are a separate category from cutting shears/scissors. If you're looking for information on those, read our guide to thinning scissors vs texturising scissors.

You might also hear "shears" used for fabric scissors, garden shears, or kitchen shears — but in the hairdressing context, it always means the same precision cutting tool as "hair scissors."

Hair Shears Sharpening: Same Process, Same Importance

Whether you call them shears or scissors, they need regular professional sharpening to perform at their best. Dull blades — regardless of what you call them — cause split ends, hand fatigue, and poor cutting results.

Professional hair shears sharpening involves the same 7-step process as scissor sharpening: inspection, disassembly, convex grinding, blade ride adjustment, reassembly, test cutting, and oiling. Read the full process in our scissor sharpening complete guide.

For Australian hairdressers, ShearGenius offers both mobile sharpening across Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania, and mail-in sharpening Australia-wide. We sharpen all brands — not just our own.

How often should you sharpen? That depends on your usage. Full-time stylists typically need sharpening every 3-5 months. See our full guide: how often to sharpen your hairdressing scissors.

What to Look for When Buying Hair Shears or Hair Scissors

Whether you're searching for "the best hair shears" or "the best hair scissors," here's what separates professional-grade tools from the rest:

1. Japanese steel construction. The finest hair shears in the world are made from Japanese steel — specifically Hitachi alloys like ATS-314 and Cobalt. Avoid scissors made from generic stainless steel or Chinese alloys.
2. Convex blade edge. Professional hair shears use a convex (clamshell) grind that enables effortless slide cutting and point cutting. This is the standard for salon-grade tools.
3. Ergonomic handle design. You'll hold these for 6-10 hours a day. An offset or crane handle dramatically reduces wrist and thumb strain compared to even-handle designs.
4. A scissorsmith behind the brand. Many brands are run by marketers who've never cut hair. When your shears need adjustment or repair, you want someone who understands the tool — not just someone who sells it.
5. Lifetime guarantee. Quality hair shears should last decades with proper care and regular sharpening. A genuine lifetime guarantee demonstrates the manufacturer's confidence in their product.

ShearGenius Hair Shears and Scissors

Every pair of ShearGenius hair shears is crafted from Japanese steel, personally inspected and sharpened in Ballarat by me — Matt Grumley — and backed by an Unconditional Lifetime Guarantee. I've been cutting hair since 1991 and sharpening professionally since 2007. I don't just sell hair shears — I design them, sharpen them, and use them.

Browse our full range of professional hairdressing scissors, or if you're a barber, see our barber scissors collection.

Not sure where to start? Read our 2026 buyers report or the true cost of cheap hairdressing scissors to understand why investing in quality matters.

Need to spread the cost? Our SlicePay program lets you pay over 20 weekly instalments with zero interest. Professional hair shears are an investment in your career.

— Matthew Grumley
Founder, ShearGenius