Hairdressing Scissors FAQ
The most common questions we get from hairdressers, answered honestly by Matt Grumley — founder of ShearGenius, and a hairdresser, scissorsmith, designer and educator — a combination we have not found in anyone else in Australia. Behind the chair since 1990, at the stone since 2007. Est. 2007.
If your question is not answered here, the fastest way to get a real answer is to call us — Bec answers in the office and Matt calls you back, usually the same day.
Steel, Quality and Manufacturing
What steel are ShearGenius scissors made from?
Steel varies by model. Most ShearGenius scissors are Japanese Cobalt Alloy, measured at 58 HRC. The Apex, Diamond, Cosmos, Elite and Vixens are Hitachi ATS-314 at 58–60 HRC, the Prodigy and Goldie are forged ATS-314 at 60–62 HRC, and the Rose Tattoo is VG10 at 60 HRC. All are genuine Japanese steels with excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance.
What that means at the chair: the edge stays sharper for longer between services, and the scissor shrugs off colour, chemicals and constant washing instead of pitting. Steel varies by model, so check the spec on each product page.
Who actually runs ShearGenius?
Matt Grumley — founder, hairdresser, scissorsmith, designer and educator. We have not found anyone else in Australia holding all four of those roles; if you know someone who does, tell us and we will say so here. He has been behind the chair and at the sharpening stone for decades and has personally owned and operated ShearGenius continuously since 2007.
How is ShearGenius different from the big marketer-owned Japanese-style brands?
Most of our closest competitors are marketer-owned brands bought from the previous owners within the last seven years. At ShearGenius, the person who designs the range, inspects every scissor, tensions every pivot, writes every warranty and answers the phone is the same person — Matt Grumley — and has been continuously since 2007.
Sharpening and Service
How much does scissor sharpening cost?
Flat $70 per scissor for ShearGenius hairdressing and barber scissors. Flat $80 per scissor for every other brand. Same-day turnaround. No upcharges for brand, condition, steel grade or pivot service. See the full 2026 cost report for market comparisons.
Do you offer mobile sharpening?
Yes — mobile scissor sharpening routes across Victoria and Tasmania, plus Mount Gambier and Millicent. Three or more scissors in one salon means no call-out fee. On-site service while you keep cutting.
Can I post my scissors in for sharpening?
No. There is no mail-in or postal sharpening. Sharpening is done at your salon on booked routes across Victoria and Tasmania, plus Mount Gambier and Millicent. Outside those areas, the scissor itself ships free Australia-wide and is covered by the Lifetime Manufacturing Warranty.
Buying, Payment and Warranty
What is SlicePay?
Our in-house zero-interest weekly payment plan, designed specifically for hairdressers. Own a genuine Japanese scissor from $11.25 a week with no interest and no hidden fees. Built by us because no BNPL provider in the market was willing to offer fair terms to apprentices.
Do your scissors come with a warranty?
Yes — the ShearGenius Lifetime Manufacturing Warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship for the life of the scissor. It does not cover ordinary edge wear, sharpening, drops or misuse.
How often should I sharpen my scissors?
Every 6-12 months for a full-time stylist, and toward the shorter end of that if you are cutting 25-40 heads a week. Part-time, 12-18 months. More often if you cut a lot of chemically treated or coarse hair. A scissor that feels dull has usually been dull for weeks already — book proactively.
Maintenance and Care
Can I sharpen my scissors myself?
Not if they are premium shears. A true convex edge cannot be maintained on a flat grinder, a belt sander or a home stone kit. DIY destroys convex permanently. See our professional-vs-DIY guide for the full case.
What oil should I use on my scissors?
Purpose-made scissor oil (or clipper oil in a pinch). Never WD-40 — it strips existing oil out of the pivot and leaves the bearing dry. Never household oils, cooking oils or baby oil. One drop on the pivot at the end of every shift.
How do I know if my scissors need replacing or just sharpening?
If the steel is healthy and the pivot still holds tension, sharpening will bring it back. If the blades are chipped beyond recovery, the pivot is worn flat, or the scissor has been damaged by a previous grinder, replacement is the honest answer. We tell you the truth before we start work.
Size, Handle and Fit
Are all your scissors left-hand compatible?
No — a true left-handed scissor has the blade positions reversed, not just the finger rings swapped. We make genuine left-handed models where the geometry is built for a left-hander from the first sketch. See our left-handed collection.
What size scissor should I buy?
6.0 inch offset handle is the all-round starting point for most working hairdressers. 5.5 inch for precision and fine detail. 6.5-7.0 inch for long hair and barbering. See our full blade length guide.
Honestly though, size charts only get you so far — the right answer depends on how you cut, what hair you're on all day, and whether your thumb or wrist is already complaining. If you'd rather have me look at that properly before you spend a dollar, book a free fitting and we'll work it out together.
What handle shape should I choose?
Almost every ShearGenius scissor is built on an offset ergonomic handle — a shorter thumb shank sets the thumb ring forward of the finger ring, a more open hold than an even handle. That covers the whole range: the Geisha ($395), Firebird ($380), Emperor ($390), Apex ($695), Diamond ($695) and Prodigy ($795) are all offset.
One different shape is the Swivel (usually $495) — its thumb ring rotates with your grip, so the thumb moves with the hand instead of being held in one fixed position. It is made in one size, right-handed only. The Cosmos (usually $695) is our crane handle, with the thumb ring angled further down and forward.
We do not make even-handle scissors. If that is genuinely the shape you want, we will tell you so rather than sell you something else. Not sure which suits how you actually cut? A free fitting sorts it in one call.
Shipping and Trust
Do you ship Australia-wide?
Yes — free Australia-wide shipping on scissor orders, with express post available at extra cost.
Can I try before I buy?
If you are on the mobile route or can visit us in Ballarat, yes. Otherwise, our lifetime warranty and returns policy means you can buy with confidence.
Are the scissors real Japanese steel or marketing?
Real Japanese steel. If a scissor brand will not state the specific steel grade and the mill it came from, treat that as a red flag. We will happily answer both questions — for every model in the range — on the phone or by email.