A reference for the vocabulary used across the professional hair-scissor world, in both Japanese and English. Knowing the correct terms helps you understand the tool, and communicate precisely with distributors and sharpeners.
Blade terminology
| Term | 日本語 | Meaning |
|---|
| Convex edge / Hamaguri-ba | コンベックス刃 / 蛤刃（はまぐりば） | Modern professional standard. Outer edge curves outward smoothly |
| Semi-convex edge | セミコンベックス刃 | Between convex and bevel. Prioritises durability |
| Bevel edge | ベベル刃 | Traditional geometry: one side flat, other side angled |
| Sword blade | 剣刃 | Convex variation with a gently curved outer line, like a katana |
| Edge | 刃先 / エッジ | The working surface that cuts. Edge angle determines sharpness |
| Belly | 刃の腹 | The face between edge and spine |
| Spine / Back | 刃の背 | The thick back that provides rigidity |
| Edge angle | エッジ角度 | Angle at the cutting edge. Typically 40–55° for hair scissors |
Handle terminology
| Term | 日本語 | Meaning |
|---|
| Offset handle | オフセットハンドル | Thumb ring positioned forward of the ring finger ring |
| Crane handle | クレーンハンドル | More aggressive offset; steeper angle |
| Level / Straight handle | レベルハンドル / ストレートハンドル | Traditional symmetric shape, rings on the same horizontal line |
| Swivel thumb | スイベル サム | Thumb ring rotates independently of the handle body |
| Thumb ring | 親指リング | Ring for the thumb |
| Ring finger ring | 薬指リング | Ring for the ring finger |
| Tang | タング | The section connecting the blade to the handle |
| Finger rest / Tang hook | フィンガーレスト | Small hook extending from the ring finger ring for the little finger |
Thinning terminology
| Term | 日本語 | Meaning |
|---|
| Thinning scissors / Sukibasami | セニングシザー / 梳きばさみ | Specialist scissor for reducing volume |
| Chunker | チャンカー | Low-tooth-count thinner for removing large amounts of bulk |
| Texturizer | テクスチャライザー | High-tooth-count (40+) fine thinning scissor |
| Tooth count | 目 / 歯数 | Number of teeth on the serrated blade |
| Thinning ratio | セニングレート | Percentage of hair removed per cut |
| Stopper tooth | ストッパー歯 | Protrusion at tooth root to prevent over-passing hair |
Steel and metallurgy
| Term | 日本語 | Meaning |
|---|
| Rockwell hardness / HRC | ロックウェル硬度 / HRC | Standard hardness measure. Professional scissors typically 58–62 |
| VG-10 | VG-10 / V金10号 | Premium stainless steel by Takefu Special Steel (Hitachi Metals) |
| ATS-314 | ATS-314 | Powder-metallurgy stainless steel by Aichi Steel Corporation |
| SUS440C | SUS440C | JIS high-carbon stainless steel; workhorse for professional scissors |
| Cobalt alloy | コバルト合金 | Steel with cobalt as a primary alloying element |
| Hardening / Heat treatment | 焼入れ | Heating and rapid cooling to achieve hardness |
| Tempering | 焼戻し | Reheating after hardening to improve toughness |
| Corrosion resistance | 耐腐食性 | Resistance to rust and discoloration |
Maintenance terminology
| Term | 日本語 | Meaning |
|---|
| Tension | テンション / 締め具合 | Blade-to-blade fit, adjusted by the pivot screw |
| Pivot | ピボット | The screw joining the two blades |
| Scissor oil | シザーオイル | Dedicated oil for pivot lubrication |
| Sharpening | 研ぎ直し | Restoring the edge |
| Sharpener / Sharpening specialist | 研ぎ師 | Specialist craftsperson who services scissors |
Cutting technique
| Term | 日本語 | Meaning |
|---|
| Blunt cut | ブラントカット | Standard closing-cut technique for straight lines |
| Slide cut | スライドカット | Cutting by sliding the blade along the hair shaft |
| Point cut | ポイントカット | Detailing with the tip of the blade |
| Dry cut | ドライカット | Cutting on dry hair |
| Wet cut | ウェットカット | Cutting on wet hair |
| Scissor over finger | シザーオーバーフィンガー | Standard technique holding hair on the fingers |
