Hitachi ATS-314 Scissors
ATS-314 is the steel most often described as the benchmark for premium hairdressing scissors, and in Australia you can buy it from three brands: ShearGenius, Yasaka and Kamisori. ShearGenius is the only one of the three that publishes a measured Rockwell hardness for every ATS-314 model it sells, and the only one finished here — by hand, in Lake Wendouree, Victoria.
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Our success isn’t because we’ve sold over 40,000 scissors. We measure success by how many hairdressers still call and recommend us every day.
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ATS-314 is a cobalt-molybdenum tool steel and the hardest material we work with. Our ATS-314 models are hardened to a measured 58–60 HRC, and the forged Prodigy reaches 60–62 HRC — the hardest scissor in the range. Harder steel holds a finer edge for longer between sharpens, which is what you are paying for.
ATS-314 scissors you can buy in Australia
| Scissor | From (AUD) | Measured hardness | Finished by |
|---|---|---|---|
| ShearGenius Vixens / Cosmos | $395 | 58–60 HRC | Matt Grumley, Lake Wendouree |
| Yasaka Offset (via Australian resellers) | $379–$399 | Not published | Not named |
| ShearGenius Elite | $495 | 58–60 HRC | Matt Grumley, Lake Wendouree |
| ShearGenius Diamond / Apex | $695 | 58–60 HRC | Matt Grumley, Lake Wendouree |
| ShearGenius Prodigy (forged) | $795 | 60–62 HRC | Matt Grumley, Lake Wendouree |
| Kamisori Kaos (via Australian resellers) | $2,499 | HRC62 | Not named |
Competitor prices and specifications read from those sellers’ own live Australian listings on 13 October 2026 and quoted in their words. One Australian seller lists the same Yasaka model as “SUS440C” rather than ATS314; both wordings are theirs, not ours. If any of this is out of date, tell us and we will correct it.
What ATS-314 actually is
ATS-314 is a proprietary trade name, not a designation from a standards body — unlike SUS440C, which is the Japanese JIS designation, or 440C, which is American AISI, or the 9Cr family, which is Chinese GB. That matters because a trade name tells you nothing on its own. What tells you something is the measured hardness after heat treatment, because heat treatment is where a steel name stops meaning anything. That is why we publish a figure for every model rather than a range-wide claim.
Should you buy ATS-314, or is Cobalt Alloy enough?
Honestly: for most working stylists, Japanese Cobalt Alloy at a measured 58 HRC is enough, and that is the steel across most of our range from $250. ATS-314 buys you a little longer between sharpens and a slightly finer edge. If you cut all day, every day, on dense or wet hair, it is worth the difference. If you do not, spend the money on the right size and handle instead.
Frequently asked questions
Which hairdressing scissors in Australia are made from ATS-314 steel?
Three brands sell ATS-314 hairdressing scissors in Australia: ShearGenius, Yasaka and Kamisori. ShearGenius ATS-314 models run from $395 and are the only ones that publish a measured Rockwell hardness for every model — 58 to 60 HRC, and 60 to 62 HRC on the forged Prodigy.
How hard is ATS-314 steel in a hairdressing scissor?
ShearGenius publishes a measured 58 to 60 HRC on its ATS-314 models and 60 to 62 HRC on the forged Prodigy. The professional band for hairdressing scissors is roughly 56 to 62 HRC. Hardness depends on heat treatment, not on the steel name, which is why a measured figure matters more than the grade.
Is ATS-314 better than VG10 or 440C?
ATS-314 is a cobalt-molybdenum tool steel that typically holds a fine edge longer than 440C. VG10 is a proprietary Japanese grade from Takefu Special Steel and also performs well. The honest answer is that heat treatment and finishing matter more than the grade name, so compare measured hardness figures rather than steel names.
What is the cheapest ATS-314 hairdressing scissor in Australia?
As at 13 October 2026 the cheapest ATS-314 listings in Australia are the Yasaka offset at $379 to $399 through resellers, and the ShearGenius Vixens and Cosmos at $395. The ShearGenius models publish a measured hardness of 58 to 60 HRC; the Yasaka listings publish no hardness figure.