The Biggest Mistakes That Dull Your Shears (And How to Avoid Them!)

Your shears are one of the most important tools in your trade. A well-maintained, sharp pair of shears ensures precision cuts, reduces hand fatigue, and extends the life of your investment. But even high-quality shears won’t stay sharp forever if they aren’t properly cared for. Many stylists and barbers unknowingly shorten the lifespan of their shears by making common mistakes.

Here are the biggest mistakes that dull your shears—and how to avoid them!

1. Storing Your Shears Incorrectly

The Mistake: Tossing your shears into a drawer, leaving them unprotected on your station, or storing them in a cluttered tool bag.

Why It’s a Problem:
Unprotected shears can bump against other tools, causing nicks and dull spots on the blades. They can also pick up dust, moisture, or chemicals that lead to corrosion.

How to Avoid It:
✔ Always store your shears in a protective case when not in use.
✔ Keep them in a designated spot on your workstation where they won’t get knocked around.
✔ Wipe them down before putting them away to remove hair, moisture, and product residue.

2. Cutting the Wrong Materials

The Mistake: Using your shears on anything other than hair—such as paper, plastic, foils, or rubber bands.

Why It’s a Problem:
Shears are precision tools designed for cutting hair—not rough or thick materials. Cutting anything else dulls the blades much faster and can cause tiny chips along the cutting edge.

How to Avoid It:
✔ Use only your professional shears for cutting hair.
✔ Keep a separate pair of utility scissors at your station for anything else.
✔ Educate assistants or coworkers who might accidentally grab your shears for non-hair tasks.

3. Over-Tightening or Under-Tightening the Tension Screw

The Mistake: Adjusting the tension too tightly or too loosely.

Why It’s a Problem:

  • Over-tightening causes unnecessary strain on the blades, leading to faster dulling and hand fatigue.

  • Under-tightening makes the blades slip, causing hair to bend or fold instead of cutting cleanly.

How to Avoid It:
✔ Perform a tension check regularly. Hold the shears by one handle and lift the other blade to a 90-degree angle—then let it drop. If it closes too quickly, the tension is too loose; if it barely moves, it’s too tight.
✔ Adjust the tension screw gradually, making small changes until the shears move smoothly without resistance.

4. Not Cleaning Your Shears Properly

The Mistake: Letting hair, product buildup, or moisture sit on your blades.

Why It’s a Problem:
Leftover product residue and moisture can cause rust, corrosion, and buildup that affects cutting performance. Hair stuck in the pivot can also cause shears to feel stiff.

How to Avoid It:
✔ Wipe your shears down after every use with a soft cloth or microfiber towel.
✔ Use shear oil daily to lubricate the pivot and remove any debris.
✔ Deep clean your shears weekly by unscrewing them and removing trapped hair or buildup.

5. Skipping Regular Sharpening & Tune-Ups

The Mistake: Waiting until your shears are completely dull before getting them sharpened.

Why It’s a Problem:
Using dull shears not only makes cutting harder, but it causes unnecessary wear on the blade edges—shortening the lifespan of your shears.

How to Avoid It:
✔ Get your shears professionally sharpened every 3-6 months, depending on your usage.
✔ Don’t wait for shears to start pushing or folding hair—regular maintenance keeps them in top shape.
✔ Work with an experienced shear sharpener like Thad at Don’t Run With Scissors (DRWS) to ensure your shears are sharpened correctly.

Keep Your Shears Sharp & Ready to Perform!

Avoiding these common mistakes will help you get the most out of your shears—saving you money in the long run and ensuring that every cut is precise and effortless.

📅 Need a sharpening? Check out Thad’s April route schedule and have your shears ready when he stops by!

#StaySharp #ThadsDRWS #SalonTools #ShearCare #ShearSharpening

Thad's Don't Run With Scissors | Greenville, WI
(920) 284-6395


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