How to Oil Hairdressing Scissors — The Right Way
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Oiling your scissors takes less than 30 seconds and is one of the single most effective things you can do to extend their lifespan. Yet most stylists either skip it, do it incorrectly, or use the wrong oil. This guide covers everything you need to know about oiling hairdressing scissors the right way.
Why Oil Matters for Hairdressing Scissors
Hairdressing scissors have a precision pivot joint — the screw mechanism that holds the two blades together and controls how they move against each other. This joint operates under significant mechanical stress during cutting: the blades pass each other thousands of times per day, and even small amounts of friction at the pivot translate into hand and wrist fatigue over time.
Oil at the pivot:
- Reduces friction, making the scissors feel smoother and lighter to use
- Prevents corrosion in the metal-on-metal contact area around the screw
- Flushes out fine hair particles and product dust that accumulate in the joint
- Maintains consistent tension over time by preventing the screw from seizing
Scissors that aren't oiled regularly feel stiffer, require more force to close, and wear their pivots faster — leading to loose, uneven tension that's hard to correct even with proper sharpening.
What Oil Should You Use?
Use purpose-made scissor oil — available from professional beauty supply stores and sharpening services. It's typically a light mineral or synthetic oil designed for fine precision instruments.
What to avoid:
- WD-40: A common mistake. WD-40 is a water displacer and degreaser — it will loosen corrosion short-term but leaves a residue that attracts lint and debris, and doesn't provide lasting lubrication.
- Cooking oils (olive, vegetable, coconut): These go rancid, become sticky, and can damage rubber components like the bumper. They also attract bacteria.
- Heavy machine oil or 3-in-1: Too thick for a precision pivot. Leaves excess residue on blades that transfers to client hair.
- Baby oil or mineral oil from the pharmacy: Acceptable in an emergency, but not ideal long-term. The light mineral base is right but it may lack the anti-corrosion additives in proper scissor oil.
How to Oil Your Scissors — Step by Step
Step 1: Clean the scissors first
Always wipe down your scissors before oiling. If you oil over product buildup or hair debris, you're trapping that material against the blade surface. A quick wipe with a soft cloth is all that's needed for routine oiling.
Step 2: Open the scissors to approximately 45°
You want the pivot area exposed but the blades not fully open. About 45° is the right angle to access the screw area properly.
Step 3: Apply one drop of oil to the pivot point
Hold the bottle of scissor oil over the pivot (screw) area and apply one drop only. More is not better — excess oil will transfer to blades and then to client hair. One drop is enough to lubricate the full pivot joint when worked in correctly.
Apply the oil to the area where the two blades meet at the screw — not onto the flat blade surface.
Step 4: Work the oil into the joint
Open and close the scissors slowly 10–15 times. This distributes the oil throughout the pivot mechanism and flushes out any fine particles from the joint. You'll often hear or feel the scissors become slightly smoother after a few cycles.
Step 5: Wipe off excess
Open the scissors and wipe the blade surfaces (both sides) with a clean, dry cloth. This removes any oil that has migrated from the pivot onto the blade surface. Oil on the cutting edge will transfer to client hair and can cause product to slide rather than cut cleanly.
How Often Should You Oil Your Scissors?
As a professional guide:
- After every client (ideal): A quick pivot wipe and one-drop oil is the gold standard for high-use scissors in a busy salon
- Once a day (minimum for full-time stylists): Oil at the start or end of the working day
- Once a week (for part-time stylists): If you're cutting fewer than 30 clients per week, weekly oiling is sufficient
- Immediately after water or chemical exposure: If your scissors get wet or come into contact with bleach or colour, dry and oil them straight away
Signs Your Scissors Need Oiling
If you notice any of these, your scissors need oil immediately:
- The pivot feels stiff or rough when opening and closing
- You can hear a slight grinding or scratching sound from the pivot during cutting
- The scissors feel heavier or require more force to operate than usual
- You can see surface discolouration or rust around the screw area
If oiling doesn't resolve stiffness after a few days of regular application, the issue may be in the screw mechanism itself — corrosion or debris that needs professional cleaning. Bring your scissors to your next sharpening appointment and mention it.
Oiling New Scissors
New scissors from the factory typically have a light protective coating on them. When you first receive new scissors, wipe them down with a soft cloth to remove any packaging residue, then apply a drop of oil to the pivot. This is also a good opportunity to adjust the tension to your preference before you start cutting.
The Right Oil Makes the Difference Over a Career
The difference between scissors that last 5 years and scissors that last 20+ years often comes down to small habits maintained consistently. Oiling takes under a minute per pair per day. Over a 20-year career, that's a tiny investment compared to the cost of replacing scissors that seized, corroded, or lost their pivot feel from neglect.
If your scissors are already feeling stiff and you're not sure whether oiling will be enough, contact ShearGenius — our mobile sharpening service includes a full tension check and pivot assessment. We service salons across Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia.