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Why Sharp Shears Save Your Hands (and Your Career)

Behind every great haircut is a pair of shears doing a lot of heavy lifting. If those shears aren’t properly sharpened, your hands, wrists, and shoulders end up paying the price—one snip at a time. Stylists often think hand fatigue, soreness, or aching wrists are just “part of the job.” The truth? In many cases, it’s not the workload—it’s the tools. Dull Shears Work Against You When shears lose their edge, cutting hair becomes harder than it should be. Instead of slicing cleanly through the hair, dull blades push, bend, or fold it. To compensate, your hands automatically apply more pressure. Over time, that extra force adds up. Common signs your shears aren’t as sharp as they should be: Hand or thumb fatigue during or after a long day Wrist or forearm soreness Hair bending or folding instead of cutting cleanly Needing multiple passes to finish a section That constant extra effort may not seem like much at first, but over weeks, months, and years, it can lead to chronic strain and eve...
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Preparing Your Shears for High-Volume Holiday Bookings

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The holiday season is coming — and for stylists and barbers, that means long days, packed schedules, and nonstop cuts and colors. Clients want to look their best for family photos, parties, and events, so your tools need to be just as ready as you are. Before the rush hits, it’s worth taking time to make sure your shears are performing at their peak. Check for early warning signs Even small performance issues can slow you down when your book is full. Look for signs like: Hair slipping or folding between blades Needing extra pressure to complete a cut A faint clicking or “crunch” sound while closing Uneven or snagged ends on your finished cut If you’re noticing any of these, your shears may need a tune-up or sharpening before holiday volume ramps up. Don’t wait until you’re booked solid It’s easy to put off maintenance when you’re busy — but a quick check-in now can save you from frustration (and lost time) later. DRWS makes it simple: Thad stops by on his scheduled routes to collect y...
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Fall Into Sharpness: Why Autumn is the Perfect Time for a Shear Tune-Up

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  Fall Into Sharpness: Why Autumn is the Perfect Time for a Shear Tune-Up As the leaves change and the air gets crisp, stylists everywhere know that fall brings more than just pumpkin spice lattes and cozy sweaters—it also kicks off one of the busiest times of year in the salon. From holiday family portraits to end-of-year parties, your clients will be lining up for fresh cuts and styles. The last thing you want slowing you down? Dull shears. Why Fall is the Right Time for a Shear Tune-Up Autumn sits right between the laid-back summer months and the hustle of the holiday season. Taking care of your shears now ensures you’re prepared for the rush ahead. A tune-up in October means: Sharper cuts through the holidays – No fighting with your tools when you’ve got a full appointment book. Less wear and tear on your hands – Sharp shears reduce strain and make your work smoother and more efficient. Happy clients – Clean, precise cuts build trust and keep customers coming bac...
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What to Expect When Trying Washi Shears Through DRWS

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  Investing in a new pair of shears is a big decision. The right shear can completely transform the way you cut, making your work smoother, more precise, and less fatiguing on your hands. At Thad's  Don’t Run With Scissors , Thad understands that stylists and barbers want to feel confident in their tools before committing to a purchase—that’s why he offers a try-before-you-buy program with Washi brand shears. Here’s how it works: 1. Browse and Select Your Shears Thad carries a variety of Washi professional shears , from elegant designs with ergonomic handles to high-performance models designed for precision cutting. Whether you’re looking for a new everyday workhorse or a specialty tool for texturizing, there’s a Washi shear to match your style. 2. Try Them in Your Own Chair Instead of relying on quick in-store tests, DRWS gives you the chance to try the shears during real client appointments . This way, you can feel how they perform with different hair types, cutting te...
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How to Test Shear Sharpness with a Tissue

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  If you’re a stylist or barber, you already know that dull shears don’t just slow you down—they can actually damage hair, leaving it frayed and unhealthy-looking. But how do you quickly check if your shears are still as sharp as they should be? One of the simplest and surprisingly effective methods is the tissue test. Here’s how to do it safely and what it tells you about your shears. What You’ll Need A single-ply facial tissue (like the kind from a regular tissue box) Your shears, freshly cleaned and dry Tip: Avoid thicker or multi-ply tissues—they’re too forgiving and might hide minor nicks or dull spots. Step-by-Step: The Tissue Test Hold the tissue : Fold it once or twice so it’s still thin, then pinch it gently between your thumb and finger, letting it hang freely. Point-cut the tissue : Using just the tips of your shears, make small cuts into the tissue as if you’re doing precision point cutting. Observe the cut : If the shears glide through easily and le...
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How to Set the Fall on Your Shears — And Why Loose Tension Could Be Dulling Your Cut

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  Your shears are more than just a tool—they’re an extension of your craft. But if the tension isn’t set correctly, even a freshly sharpened pair can feel off. One common complaint we hear from stylists is that their shears feel dull —and more often than not, the culprit is loose tension. Let’s talk about how to set the “fall” on your shears and why getting it right matters. What Is the "Fall" Test? The "fall" test is a quick and easy way to check the tension on your shears: Hold your shears with the tips pointing straight up. Open them fully. Let go of the top blade and allow it to fall shut naturally. What you're looking for: If the blade slams shut, your tension is too loose. If it barely moves or doesn’t close at all, the tension is too tight. The sweet spot? The blade should fall about 2/3 of the way closed , stopping gently before fully shutting. Why Loose Shears Feel Dull Loose tension causes the blades to separate slightly durin...
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How Often Should You Sharpen Your Shears?

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Whether you're a seasoned stylist or a fresh-on-the-floor barber, your shears are one of the most important tools in your hands. But even the best shears won’t perform their best if they aren’t regularly maintained. One of the most common questions we hear is: “How often should I get my shears sharpened?” The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all—but there are some general guidelines to keep your blades in peak condition and protect your investment. The Short Answer: Every 3 to 6 Months Most professionals find that sharpening their shears every 500–700 haircuts , or about 2–4 times a year , is a good baseline. If you’re a high-volume stylist working full-time, you’ll likely fall closer to the 3-month mark. If you’re part-time or in a specialty role (like dry cutting or barbering), you might stretch to 6 months. Factors That Affect How Often You Need Sharpening 1. Frequency of Use Daily use naturally dulls blades faster. If you're cutting all day, every day, your shears are get...
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