How to clean and adjust hairdressing scissors: tension, oil and checks

Three habits are enough to keep hairdressing scissors precise: clean them at the end of every day, put a drop of oil on the pivot and check the tension regularly. The right tension takes seconds to check with the drop test: open the moving blade and let it fall; it should drop and stop before closing completely.

Why cleaning and adjustment matter

Short hairs, product residue and moisture build up between the blades and in the pivot. Over time they increase friction, slow down closing and damage the edge. Wrong tension does the rest: too loose and the blades open up and the hair folds instead of being cut; too tight and closing becomes tiring and the blades wear out sooner.

Daily cleaning in 4 steps

1. Remove the hair: open the scissors and wipe a soft, dry cloth along the blades from the pivot to the tip, with the edge facing outwards.
2. Clean the pivot: open the scissors to 90 degrees and remove residue around the screw with the cloth or a small brush.
3. Disinfect: use a product designed for steel tools and dry immediately. Do not leave the scissors soaking in liquid.
4. Dry thoroughly: moisture left in the pivot is the main cause of friction and oxidation.

Oiling: one drop is enough

Once a day, or in any case after cleaning, open the scissors to 90 degrees and put one drop of scissor oil where the two blades meet near the pivot. Open and close 5–10 times to spread it, then wipe off the excess with the cloth. Too much oil attracts hair and dust.

On models with Teflon Tech, such as X SERIES, TSS68 and Suprema, friction between the parts is already reduced, but cleaning and light oiling remain important for the pivot.

How to check the tension: the drop test

1. Hold the scissors tip up by the ring of the fixed blade.
2. Open the moving blade to a horizontal position.
3. Let it fall without guiding it.

The ideal tension also depends on your hand and how you cut: those who do a lot of slide cutting often prefer slightly softer tension.

How to adjust the tension with the micrometric screw

All TOUCH scissors have a ball bearing and micrometric tension adjustment via the wheel on the pivot.

• Adjust in small clicks: one or two clicks at a time, then repeat the drop test.
• Check the cut: test on a wet section. The scissors must cut cleanly to the tip without folding the hair.
• Do not take the pivot apart: the screw, bearing and washer are calibrated together. If the tension will not stay stable, it needs a workshop check.

To understand how the bearing and micro-adjustment work, read our guide on convex blades, Teflon Tech and ball bearings.

The most common mistakes

• Putting scissors away wet: encourages oxidation and friction in the pivot.
• Using generic oil or too much of it: use a dedicated scissor oil, just one drop.
• Adjusting tension with makeshift tools: it damages the screw and the wheel.
• Dropping the scissors: even a small drop can misalign the blades or damage the tip.
• Compensating for a blunt blade with tension: if the edge is worn, it needs sharpening, not a tighter screw.

When sharpening is needed

If, after cleaning and adjustment, the scissors still push the hair instead of cutting it, the edge needs redoing. The TOUCH sharpening and maintenance service works on edge geometry, blade alignment and bearing adjustment: €69 for sharpening, €89 with full maintenance; from outside Italy, please contact us before ordering. To find out how often, read how often to sharpen hairdressing scissors and our scissor care and maintenance guide.

FAQ

How often should hairdressing scissors be cleaned?

At the end of every working day: remove the hair, clean the pivot, disinfect and dry completely.

How often should scissors be oiled?

One drop of scissor oil a day on the pivot, after cleaning. Then open and close the scissors a few times and wipe off the excess.

How do I know if the scissor tension is right?

With the drop test: holding the scissors tip up, the moving blade, opened and released, should drop and stop before closing completely.

What happens if the tension is too loose?

The blades open up during the cut and the hair folds instead of being cut, especially at the tip.

Can I remove the screw to clean the pivot?

Better not: the screw, bearing and washer are calibrated together. For a deep clean of the pivot, the maintenance service is the better option.

Scissors that last

TOUCH was founded in 2012 by a group of professional hairdressers: every pair of scissors comes with a legal guarantee of conformity under the law of your country for consumers (12 months for business purchases with a VAT number), a 30-day satisfaction guarantee and a dedicated sharpening service. Discover TOUCH scissors or contact us for advice.