How to Maintain Your Cutting Shears

As an experienced stylist, you know that your cutting shears can make or break the experience your client has in your chair. When they’re sharp and well-maintained, they work better, making it easier for you to create the style your client wants. But maintaining those cutting shears isn’t always as straightforward as you might think. Here are a few proven tips to help you keep your scissors and cutting shears in pristine condition. 

Clean Them Every Day
While you know to clean your shears between clients, those simple cleanings between appointments aren’t always enough to keep the blades in good condition. You’ll also want to clean them at the end of the day. Wipe down each blade carefully. You’ll also want to clean the blades with rubbing alcohol and let them dry fully before you put them away for the day. Rubbing alcohol sanitizes the blades and helps remove any chemical residue from treatments like perms or hair color.

Oil the Shears Regularly
Your cutting shears should be easy to use at all times. But with frequent exposure to moisture, the joint or pivot point can become gummed up with rust and buildup. Once this happens, your scissors will feel sticky every time you try to move them. Get in the habit of oiling the pivot point at least once each week. The oil will lubricate the point and ensure that your cutting shears move smoothly every time. 

If you’ve forgotten to oil your scissors and notice resistance when you try to cut with them, take them apart. You may be able to clean off the corrosion with a wire brush or scrubbing pad. Once this is done, oil the pivot point and reassemble your shears.

Get Them Sharpened
Hair may seem soft, but it can still dull scissor blades over time. And dull blades can end up damaging your clients’ hair with each cut. Stay on top of routine sharpening throughout the year. You should be able to take your scissors to a local knife shop and let them sharpen the blades for you. Knifemakers know how to safely sharpen scissor blades without damaging the edge or the pivot point.

Keep Your Shears in a Case
At the end of the day, there’s a temptation to just rest your scissors at your station or toss them in a drawer with the rest of your equipment. But that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. Instead, you’ll want to store your shears in a case or sheath them in the protective cover they came with when you bought them. Cases and covers protect the blades from damage and reduce the risk of bends or warps in the metal if the scissors are dropped. 

Protect Your Investment With These Tips
These maintenance tips are a great way to protect your investment and keep your scissors sharp and ready to tackle even the toughest styles. But even the best shears won’t help you bring your clients’ visions to life if you’re lacking the right supplemental tools to do the job. Sign up for a free account today and revamp your station with high-quality tools that will last for years.