How often should you sharpen hairdressing scissors? Signs, frequency and what to avoid
Hairdressing scissors need sharpening when they start to push or fold the hair instead of cutting it: with daily salon use this usually happens every 6-12 months. The actual frequency depends on how many hours you cut, the hair type, your technique and how you care for your scissors every day. The signals from the blade matter more than the calendar.
Signs your scissors need sharpening
- The hair slips or folds between the blades instead of being cut, especially at the tip.
- The scissors pull or bite the hair: the client feels it and the cut is not clean.
- You need more force to close them, even with the tension correctly set.
- Dry cutting is not clean and the ends look frayed.
- Slide cutting does not glide: a convex blade that has lost its edge catches in the section.
- After a drop you hear a different sound or see a mark on the blade: stop immediately, because carrying on cutting makes the damage worse.
What the frequency depends on
| Factor | More frequent sharpening | Less frequent sharpening |
|---|---|---|
| Use | Many cuts a day | Spare pair or occasional use |
| Hair | Thick, chemically treated, with product residue | Fine and clean |
| Technique | Slide cutting and dry cutting | Wet cutting with full closure |
| Daily care | Scissors put away dirty or wet | Cleaning, oiling and tension checked every day |
Why professional sharpening matters
Professional scissors do not have a simple edge like a kitchen knife. A convex blade like that of the X SERIES or the TSS68 has a curved geometry that must be preserved; a very flat blade like that of the TK Master needs different work; toothed shears are sharpened tooth by tooth. Generic sharpening can change the edge angle, shorten the life of the scissors and make the cut worse.
That is why it is best to avoid non-specialist grinders and DIY sharpeners: the immediate saving is paid for with scissors that are never the same again.
The TOUCH sharpening service
The TOUCH sharpening and maintenance service works on the original edge geometry, blade alignment and adjustment:
- Sharpening: €69.
- Sharpening + full maintenance: €89, with cleaning, lubrication, tension adjustment and replacement of worn parts (stops, bumpers and washers). If the bearing needs replacing, it costs €30 extra.
- Shipping: from Italy, TOUCH covers shipping both ways; from outside Italy, please contact us before ordering. After ordering, we explain how to send us your scissors.
How to extend the time between sharpenings
- Clean and dry your scissors at the end of the day and put a drop of oil on the pivot.
- Check the tension with the drop test: the wrong tension wears the edge faster.
- Store your scissors closed in a case and do not use them on paper, ribbons or synthetic extensions.
- Use the right scissors for each job: thinning shears to remove weight, a convex blade for slide cutting, as explained in our guide to choosing hairdressing scissors.
You will find the full routine in the article how to clean and adjust hairdressing scissors and in our scissor care and maintenance guide.
FAQ
How often should hairdressing scissors be sharpened?
With daily salon use, usually every 6-12 months, but the real signal is the blade: when it pushes or folds the hair instead of cutting it, it is time to sharpen.
Can I sharpen hairdressing scissors myself?
Better not. Convex, flat and toothed blades have precise geometries: incorrect sharpening changes the edge angle and shortens the life of the scissors.
How much does it cost to sharpen hairdressing scissors?
At TOUCH, sharpening costs €69 and sharpening with full maintenance €89. From Italy, TOUCH covers shipping both ways; from outside Italy, please contact us before ordering.
Do toothed shears need sharpening too?
Yes. Thinning and texturizing shears lose their edge like any other scissors; if the teeth do not cut cleanly, the hair folds and frays.
Scissors always ready
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. Book sharpening or contact us for advice.
