The Importance of Scissor Maintenance

A good pair of hairdressing scissors costs anywhere from $200 to $800. That is a significant investment, and yet a surprising number of stylists treat their scissors like disposable tools. They toss them in a drawer, skip the daily wipe-down, forget to oil the pivot, and then wonder why their cuts feel rough after six months. The truth is simple: a $200 pair of scissors maintained properly will outperform a $600 pair that is neglected.

Why Scissor Maintenance Matters

There are three reasons to care about maintenance, and they all affect your bottom line:

• Client experience. Dull or poorly maintained scissors tug, fold, and pull hair. Your client feels it. They may not say anything, but they notice the difference between a clean slice and a rough tear.
• Cut quality. A sharp, well-tensioned scissor produces clean lines, smooth point cutting, and predictable slide cutting. A neglected pair makes every technique harder and every result less precise.
• Lifespan. Professional scissors can last 10-20 years with proper care. Without it, corrosion, blade misalignment, and edge damage can shorten that to 2-3 years.

Daily Maintenance: After Every Client

This takes 30 seconds and should become as automatic as cleaning your comb:

1. Wipe the blades with a clean, soft chamois cloth or microfibre towel. Remove all hair, product residue, and moisture.
2. Clear the pivot area. Hair and product build up around the tension screw. A quick brush with a soft toothbrush keeps the pivot clean.
3. Apply a drop of oil. One drop of scissor oil on the pivot point. Open and close the scissors a few times to work it in.

That is it. Thirty seconds. If you do this after every client, your scissors will stay sharper, smoother, and corrosion-free far longer than if you wipe them down once at the end of the day.

Weekly Maintenance

Once a week, spend five minutes on a deeper clean:

• Disinfect the blades with isopropyl alcohol on a cloth. This removes chemical residue from colour, perm solution, and sanitiser that accumulates during the week.
• Check the tension. Hold the scissors vertically by one handle and let the other handle drop open. It should fall to about 45 degrees and stop. If it drops fully open, the tension is too loose. If it barely moves, it is too tight. Adjust the tension screw a quarter-turn at a time.
• Inspect blade alignment. Close the scissors slowly and watch the blades. They should meet evenly from heel to tip with no gap or overlap. If the blades are crossing or gapping, your scissors need professional service.

When to Sharpen Your Scissors

Every pair of scissors will eventually need professional sharpening, no matter how well you maintain them. The question is when. Here are the signs:

• Hair folds instead of cutting. The most obvious sign. You close the blades and the hair bends and slides rather than being sliced.
• You are pushing harder. If you notice yourself applying more pressure than usual to close the cut, the edge is going.
• Inconsistent results. Some sections cut cleanly while others tear or leave ragged ends.
• A clicking or catching feel. Nicks or burrs on the blade edge cause the scissors to catch at certain points during the cut.

As a general guide, scissors used daily in a busy salon need sharpening every 6-12 months. Scissors used a few times a week can go 12-18 months. Read more about sharpening costs and what to expect.

How to Store Scissors Properly

Where your scissors live when they are not in your hand matters more than most stylists realise:

• Always use a case or pouch. A leather or fabric scissor case protects the blade tips from impact and keeps moisture away. Never toss scissors loose into a drawer or bag.
• Store blades closed. Open scissors are vulnerable to tip damage if anything falls against them.
• Keep away from water. Scissors left near a sink, spray bottle, or wet towel will develop micro-rust on the blade edge faster than you would expect, even on stainless steel.
• Separate from other tools. Do not store scissors touching clippers, combs, or other metal objects. Contact between metal surfaces causes scratches and edge damage.

Maintenance Schedule at a Glance

For more detail, read our guides on how to clean hair scissors and why scissors lose their sharpness.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should you oil hair scissors?

After every client or at minimum once per day. Apply one drop of scissor oil (camellia oil is the gold standard) to the pivot point, then open and close the scissors a few times to distribute it. This prevents friction, heat, and corrosion at the point where the blades meet.

How do you know when scissors need sharpening?

The clearest sign is hair folding or bending instead of being cut cleanly. You might also notice yourself pressing harder to close the cut, inconsistent results across a section, or a clicking sensation as the blades close. Any of these means it is time for professional sharpening.

Can you sharpen hair scissors yourself?

For professional convex-edge scissors, no. Home sharpening with a stone or file will damage the precise edge geometry that makes convex scissors cut cleanly. Always use a qualified scissor sharpener who specialises in hairdressing shears. The cost is typically $20-50 per pair and well worth protecting your investment.