5 Things You're Doing That Are Dulling Your Shears

 

You invested in quality shears for a reason—precision, comfort, and a flawless finish. But even the best shears won’t last if you’re unknowingly doing things that dull them faster than they should. As a professional sharpener, I’ve seen it all—and some of the biggest culprits might surprise you.

Here are five common habits that could be killing your edge:

1. Using Your Shears on Dirty Hair

It might seem harmless, but cutting hair with product buildup, hairspray, or even just natural oils and grit can wear down your blades over time. Residue creates extra friction, and small particles act like sandpaper against your edges. Try to work with clean hair when possible—or at least towel-dried and brushed through.

2. Tossing Them in a Drawer or Station Cup

Shears are precision tools, not just another pair of scissors. Dropping them in a drawer, tool roll, or cup with other tools can cause nicks in the blades if they bang against other metal objects. Always store your shears in a protective case or soft holster when not in use.

3. Using Them to Cut More Than Just Hair

It happens—opening a package, trimming foil, snipping thread—but using your salon shears for anything besides hair is a fast-track to dullness. Even a few cuts through something as soft as tissue paper can misalign your blades. Keep a separate pair of utility scissors handy for those non-hair emergencies.

4. Overtightening or Loosening the Tension Screw

Incorrect tension wears out your shears in different ways. Too tight? You’re forcing the blades and increasing stress on the pivot. Too loose? The blades don't meet properly and can fold or bend the hair. Both lead to premature dullness. Get familiar with your shear’s tension system—or ask your sharpener to check it during each tune-up.

5. Skipping Regular Maintenance

Even if you’re being gentle with your shears, they still need routine sharpening and a quick tune-up every few months. Neglecting regular care means they’ll dull slowly—and you might not even notice the difference until your cuts start pulling or fraying the hair. A good sharpener (like yours truly) can keep your shears cutting like new.

Bottom Line?
A little extra care goes a long way. Protect your investment, protect your hands, and keep delivering flawless cuts by avoiding these common mistakes.

Need a tune-up? I sharpen all brands of professional shears—just leave them out on your route day, and I’ll take care of the rest.

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

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Common Mistakes That Can Shorten the Life of Your Blades

Image
As a stylist or barber, your shears are your most valuable tool. Keeping them in top condition ensures precision, efficiency, and comfort. However, many professionals unknowingly make mistakes that can prematurely wear down their blades. Here are some common missteps to avoid so your shears stay sharper for longer. 1. Cutting the Wrong Materials Your shears are designed specifically for cutting hair—nothing else. Using them to cut foil, plastic, paper, or even combs can quickly dull the blades and cause nicks that impact performance. Keep a separate pair of utility scissors for non-hair cutting tasks. 2. Improper Cleaning and Maintenance Hair, moisture, and product buildup can corrode metal and cause shears to lose their edge. To prevent this: Wipe your shears clean after every use. Use a soft cloth with a small amount of shear oil to prevent rust and buildup. Deep clean them regularly, especially around the pivot point. 3. Dropping Your Shears Accidents happen, but dropping your shear...
Read more

How Often Should You Sharpen Your Shears?

Image
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...
Read more

April 2025 Route Schedule – Get Your Shears Sharpened!

Image
  Spring is here, and it’s the perfect time to refresh your tools! If your shears are feeling dull, pushing hair, or causing extra hand fatigue, Thad at Don’t Run With Scissors (DRWS) is hitting the road this April to sharpen and fine-tune shears for stylists and barbers across the Fox Valley. Thad stops in at salons and barbershops on his route, so have your shears ready when he drops by! No need to schedule an appointment—just set aside the shears you need sharpened, and Thad will handle the rest. April 2025 Route Schedule 📍 Tuesday, April 1 – FV1 (west Appleton, Grand Chute) 📍 Tuesday, April 8 – FV2 (Neenah, Menasha) 📍 Tuesday, April 15 – FV3 (South/East Appleton) 📍 Tuesday, April 22 – FV4 (Heart of the Valley) 📍 Tuesday, April 29 – FV5 (Rural communities) Why Keep Your Shears Sharp? 🔹 Cleaner Cuts – No more folding or pushing hair! 🔹 Less Hand Fatigue – A sharp blade requires less effort. 🔹 Better Client Experience – Precision cutting means happy cli...
Read more