First professional scissors: what to buy when you open a salon
When you open a salon or buy your first professional toolkit, you need three pairs of scissors: a precision pair for outlines and wet cutting, a sword-blade pair for slide and slicing, and thinning shears to manage thick hair. These three cover your everyday work. Everything else can be added later, when the way you cut calls for it.
The trickiest moment: your first toolkit
Opening a salon means making lots of purchases in a short time: chairs, basins, mirrors, products. Scissors risk being chosen in a hurry. There are two typical, opposite mistakes:
- buying a single good pair and using it for everything, including thinning and blending;
- buying a cheap many-piece kit, with similar scissors that do not last and cover the functions poorly.
Either way the result is the same: you work with tools that do not suit the technique you are using. The solution is to start from the functions, as explained in our guide to choosing hairdressing scissors.
The 3 functions to cover right away
1. Precision: your everyday scissors
The pair you will use most: wet cutting, outlines, finishing, fringes. It needs a fine tip and control in the detail. You have two options:
- ELLE PRO Cut, straight blade in 440C steel, the most versatile for classic cuts and finishing;
- TK Master, very flat blade in 440C Aichi steel, for clean lines and geometric shapes.
Which length? 5.5 inches gives more control in the detail and suits smaller hands. 6 inches covers slightly wider sections and also works well for scissor over comb on short areas.
2. Style: scissors for gliding techniques
Slide cutting, slicing and dry cutting need a very sharp convex blade that glides through the hair without pulling. The X SERIES has a sword blade in VG10 steel, Full Convex edge and Teflon Tech. The 5.7-inch is easier to handle; the 6.5-inch suits you if you often work on medium and long hair.
3. Volume: thinning shears
Sooner or later a client arrives with very thick hair. Without thinning shears the cut becomes long and tiring. The DENTATA PRO CUT is a 6-inch, 30-tooth thinning shear in 440C steel, designed to reduce volume and lighten bulk. The difference from texturizing shears is explained in the article thinning or texturizing shears.
Essenziale System TOUCH
These three pairs make up the Essenziale System, available as a kit. You choose the precision model and the lengths: the price updates with the combination. The price shown is the sum of the individual scissors. Request a quote for the System: we will offer you our reserved terms.
| Function | Scissors | When you use it |
|---|---|---|
| Precision | ELLE PRO Cut or TK Master | Wet cutting, outlines, fringes, finishing |
| Style | X SERIES | Slide cutting, slicing, dry cutting |
| Volume | DENTATA PRO CUT | Thick hair, volume reduction |
When to move up a level
The Essenziale System is a base, not an end point. Two signs tell you it is time to add a pair:
- you do lots of bobs and one-length cuts, or often work scissor over comb: you need a long blade, that is the Evoluto System. Read why a bob needs a long blade;
- you work a lot on layers and blending: you need texturizing shears, that is the Completo System. Read the complete set for layers and texture.
Protect your investment
Professional scissors are a working tool that lasts for years if looked after. All TOUCH scissors come with a legal guarantee of conformity under the law of your country for consumers (12 months for business purchases with a VAT number) and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee; the sharpening and maintenance service costs €69, or €89 with full maintenance; from outside Italy, please contact us before ordering. For daily care, read how to clean and adjust your scissors.
FAQ
Which scissors should you buy to open a salon?
Three pairs covering different functions: a precision pair for outlines and wet cutting, a sword-blade pair for slide and slicing, and thinning shears for thick hair.
An expensive pair or a kit?
A single pair, however good, does not cover every technique. A kit of three scissors chosen by function gives you the right tool for each stage, as long as it contains no duplicates.
Which scissor length should you start with?
For the precision pair, 5.5 or 6 inches, depending on your hand and the cuts you do. For gliding techniques, 5.7 or 6.5 inches.
How much does a professional scissor kit cost?
The price shown for the TOUCH Essenziale System is the sum of the three individual scissors and depends on models and lengths. Request a quote for the System: we will offer you our reserved terms.
Start on the right foot
TOUCH was founded in 2012 by a group of professional hairdressers. Discover the Essenziale System or contact us for personal advice on models and lengths. All kits are on the Cutting system page.
