How do you maintain scissors?
Thanks for supporting Dark Stag and our mission to make sure every barber’s tooled up with seriously superior equipment! Our brilliant barber tools are tough enough for hundreds of cuts and built to last; follow these simple directions and they’ll last even longer. So, how do you maintain barber scissors?
How do you clean and maintain hairdressing scissors? Interested in hair shears maintenance? Want to know how to look after hair scissors/shears in general?
No matter which version of the question you’re asking, you’ve come to the right place.
Get to know your tools
The best way to care for your barber scissors is to get to know them properly! Here’s Dark Stag’s founder Andy Wiseman introducing our premium tool, the DS+ Offset Barber Scissor. Even if your new shears aren’t offset, this short video shows off the most vital elements of your blades.
Cleaning
Maintain hairdressing scissors/shears – it’s not just about making sure your barber scissors or shears look clean and smudge-free; it’s about guaranteeing they’re safe. Use a soft cloth to wipe them down *between every cut* to reduce the risk of infection and transmission, but also to stop potentially harmful hair products from building up and staining your barber scissors. Dark Stag tools are safe to be used with disinfectant products like Barbercide – just be sure to follow the instructions carefully to ensure you and your clients are safe.Scissor Oil
To ensure the cleanest, safest and smoothest cut, it’s best practice to regularly apply scissor oil to your superior tools. Lubricating your scissors around the screw area on a daily basis, and after cleaning them, will guarantee they’re operating at a high standard. It will also extend the life of your scissors, reduce wear and help keep them clean.
Tension and Balance
Learning how you like the tension on your barber scissors is a key step in any barber’s growth. Too tight, and the blades will be stiff in your hand – beware, as it will cause tremendous strain over time. Too little, and your superior tools will seem loose and unwieldy. To test the tension and balance of your blades, barbers, hold your tools skywards and lift one arm to a 90° right angle position. Let it fall; if it snaps shut completely and easily – it’s much too loose! Adjust the tension with your included screw tool. The optimum tension and balance of your barber scissors should guarantee they don’t fall closed, but rather about two thirds – to three quarters of the way. Tight, but not so tight they’re uncomfortable to use.
Storing your Superior Tools
Obviously, scissors are sharp! A leather pouch or a Dark Stag's own Leather Barber Tool Roll, it will help your scissors stay safe and stylish. Always clean them before storage to avoid degradation between use.Servicing for your Superior Tools
Service hair scissors/shears – servicing scissors isn’t a service Dark Stag currently provide, but there are plenty of trusted UK providers of quality scissors sharpening and upkeep services. Professional scissor sharpening may seem costly at first glance, but it will ultimately lengthen the life of your barber blades considerably.
Any other questions?
Ask us about scissor maintenance! Here at Dark Stag, we’re striving to ensure our service is as good as our tools, so do reach out if you’re still unsure how to maintain scissors – standard barber scissors, thinning scissors or otherwise!
We’ve also got answers to many more of your burning barbering queries in our new FAQ page.
Other helpful posts from Dark Stag… and beyond!
We’re not the only ones with handy how-to guides on scissor maintenance and getting the best from your tools! Our friends over at British Master Barbers know a thing or two about looking after scissors themselves; need help choosing the right scissor? We’ve got a fantastic first-time buyers guide right here. Thanks for reading our barber scissor maintenance guide!
DS1 Barber Scissor
$54.60 – $58.80
