Monday, October 4, 2010

Always inspect all scissors first before you purchase...

Do not purchase shears if tension screw is too short. Screw must be flush with tension knob to maintain proper setting.

Some scissors with plastic or rubber bushings will lock up or constantly lose tension and even come apart if not kept in proper setting. This is caused by stripping the soft threading and rendering the scissors useless. Even oiling will erode the bushings.

IS YOUR SHARPENER RUINING YOUR SHEARS?

If you have a camera phone on hand simply snap a photo of your shears before and after sharpening and the answer is painfully obvious.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

YOU CAN BORROW, BUT NEVER LOAN!

Never loan or share your scissors. No two stylists cut alike and every stylist pressures their shears differently.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

CRIME PAYS!

Grand Larceny defined by law is when someone steals money or property valued over $500. The same can be said if someone destroys another’s Property in this case a scissor or scissors valued over $500. Everyday unqualified and improperly trained sharpeners ruin at least one or more scissors in every salon they service. Everyday literally THOUSANDS of dollars in scissors’ are being destroyed by salon sharpeners and mail order vendors. The sad irony is that they are being paid by the very stylist whose scissors they are ruining.

Shear Integrity does not wish to Malign Honest and Reputable Sharpeners. Shear Integrity also does not wish to perpetuate or be part of the problem.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Surgical Curette Specialist

We are curette specialists. With the combination of our own uniquely designed sharpening methods and protocols; Shear Integrity’s formula of non-aggressive pumice and abrasive polishes produces superior results. All of our work is completed under intense magnification to ensure optimum and predictable results, prolonging the life of your instruments with minimal stock removal.

We always encourage our clients to use a magnifier when inspecting and critiquing the finished implements since your satisfaction is our primary goal.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Buyer Beware Update!

For years Shear Integrity has been trying to warn our customers in the Tri-State area about Chinese knock offs. We have been telling anyone who would listen that these shears were bought in bulk for as little as $20 and being sold to unsuspecting stylist for as high as $350+. Shear Integrity stands corrected. These SAME shears are actually bought for $5-$10 and are now being dumped in the salons for $20-$30. We don’t know if it’s because Shear Integrity finally got the word out or because of the ongoing RECESSION. Most of these scissors are Factory Seconds or Used and Refurbished and re-sold to unsuspecting stylist. Before you hand over your hard earn money to a shady sales rep simply compare several scissors for the best edge before making a purchase.


Shear Integrity does not wish to malign Honest and Reputable scissor dealers and manufacturers nor does Shear Integrity wish to perpetuate or be part of the problem.

Shear Integrity only sells Brand Recognized products and encourages all our customers to Google for the most competitive rates before purchasing.

Monday, April 12, 2010

STOP OVER PAYING!

The next time a vendor visits your salon selling GENERIC scissors from CHINA or with NO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN remember they were probably bought in bulk for less than $20!!!
SHEAR INTEGRITY does not wish to malign honest and reputable sharpening services and scissor manufacturers. Neither does SHEAR INTEGRITY believe that everyone should cut with $500+ shears made only in Japan.
 SHEAR INTEGRITY also does not believe that their customers should pay $25-50 to sharpen or repair a $5 cast-metal blank. (Ironically it is simpler to sharpen an authentic Japanese shear, because the alloys in the Japanese shear make it more responsive and the results more predictable than the weaker, inferior steels used in the copies and knockoffs.)

TOP TEN COMMANDMENTS OF SCISSOR MAINTENENCE!

1) Check and adjust proper tension every day.

2) Wipe clean and dry after every haircut

3) Don’t cut heavy sections.

4) Don’t pressure the blades.

5) Rest your shears on a padded surface.

6) Don’t tap comb with scissors to remove hair

7) Always alternate between scissors to prolong edges.

8) Clean and lubricate after each day.

9) Store separately in protective case.

10) Never loan your scissors, everyone cuts and pressures differently!

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Regarding knock off scissors...

 Your comments regarding counterfeit Japanese shears are right on. Our company manufactures high-end, authentic Japanese shears & we're continually fighting against counterfeiters.  We appreciated your comments regarding mislabeling the country of origin and using generic descriptive terms such as "Japan Steel", "Hitachi Steel" & "Cobalt Japan" when most of these knock off shears are made in China, Taiwan & Korea. Stylists need to be aware of this as well as the growing counterfeit shears issue.
mtlgad: 1 year ago

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Never assume...

Never assume the same sharpeners or companies selling the expensive high end shears are qualified to service and sharpen your scissors!
SHEAR INTEGRITY does not wish to malign honest and reputable sharpening services and scissor manufacturers, neither does Shear Integrity wish to perpetuate or be part of the problem.

Set realistic expectations...

Set realistic expectations when having your scissors Correctively Repaired and Sharpened. Shear Integrity can make a scissor with half an edge missing look like it was cut new from the factory. In reality what would be the point? In the end you’re still left with half a scissor. Don’t expect your scissors to perform like new or hold the edge very long when too much metal is missing from the blades. Putting a pristine edge on half a scissor will never make it new!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

How well are you maintaining your scissors?

 
A simple test once a week is to fill a bowl with water and place a single sheet of perm paper so it floats freely on the surface. Take your scissor and see if you can cut through the wet paper cleanly and effortlessly without biting or pinching the free floating paper.

If your scissor snags the floating perm paper especially at the tips it usually means that you were cutting with the shears too loose and prematurely dulled the blades.
LOOSE TENSION WILL CAUSE IMMEDIATE AND DESTRUCTIVE WEARING OF THE SHEARS!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

WARNING: IS YOUR SHARPENER RUINING YOUR SCISSORS?

Have you or someone you know had a bad experience as the result of scissor sharpening or had their shears ruined by a sharpening service? Did you know that 75% of all first time sharpening is done incorrectly and half of that should be replaced or discarded? This is usually caused from unnecessarily removing too much of the critically essential metal from the blades rendering your shears worthless! Before you decide to have someone perform actions on the prized tools of your craft, find out how they will be serviced. Do not let servicing the tools of your trade become a scary proposition, but be sure to have a full knowledge of what is being done with your shears.
Sharpening is more than just honing the blades. No two scissors are alike and no two stylists cut exactly the same. Each shear has its own quirks when time to sharpen. Learn as much terminology to best communicate your needs with your sharpener and to get a better sense of their competence. Do you really want to pay a novice your hard earned money who’s only real training and experience comes from learning on the job by practicing on your valuable shears? Always trust your first instinct. If you don’t feel comfortable handing over your costly shears, takes a pass. Once any metal is removed it cannot be replaced!

With over 30 years experience in business sharpening for the beauty trade and medical industry where sharpness and precision is critical, SHEAR INTEGRITY has earned one of the highest customer satisfaction records in the industry. This was no easy feat, especially given that more than half our business consists of corrective sharpening and repair as a result of damage caused by another sharpening service. To complicate matters, you should know that most scissors being sold today as Japanese shears are actually inferior copies that cost a fraction to produce--yet they are being sold at the significantly higher prices of the authentic Japanese shears.

SHEAR INTEGRITY does not wish to malign honest and reputable sharpening services and scissor manufacturers. Neither does SHEAR INTEGRITY believe that everyone should cut with $500 shears made only in Japan. SHEAR INTEGRITY also does not believe that their customers should pay $25-50 to sharpen or repair a $5 cast-metal blank. (Ironically it’s simpler to sharpen an authentic Japanese shear, because the alloys in the Japanese shear make it more responsive and the results more predictable than the weaker, inferior steels used in the copies and knockoffs.)

Please be aware that an increasing number of unqualified sharpeners are entering the business and this highly saturated field is in no way regulated. Before you trustingly hand over your tools to the next sharpener to visit your salon or mail them away to an unproven vendor, please take these few important steps:

Ensure that the Vendor is legitimate and doing business legally for your protection.
SHEAR INTEGRITY has advertised in all the major beauty trade magazines: Modern Salon, American Salon, Nail Pro, and Beauty Store Business,Behind the Chair and is listed in the Gold and Green Book Directories.
Find out what insurance they offer if you are not satisfied with the quality of their work.
SHEAR INTEGRITY insures all work up to $750.00 per shear. If you are not fully satisfied with the quality of the work, you don’t pay!

Take control and responsibility of your tools. Learn how to properly maintain them between servicing. The more knowledgeable you become the more you will appreciate our quality workmanship and dedication. Before any work is to be performed, have your sharpener explain what is wrong and how they plan to correct them.
Have them show you a new shear that has not been sharpened or correct one blade first for your comparison and inspection.
SHEAR INTEGRITY provides illuminated magnification for your further scrutiny and examination.

Ask for references.
SHEAR INTEGRITY offers salon references upon request.

Mistakes are not an Option!

Shear Integrity believes when it comes to precision sharpening of high end Japanese shears Mistakes are not an option. Once any metal is removed it cannot be replaced. (Ironically it’s simpler to sharpen an authentic Japanese shear, because the alloys in the Japanese shear make it more responsive and the results more predictable than the weaker, inferior steels used in the copies and knockoffs.)
That is why you can expect the same high quality service weather you mail in your shears or we send our two men team of sharpeners to your salon. All work must first be Authorized, Tested and Approved by YOU the stylist before ever leaving the salon! Shear Integrity provides Illuminated Magnification lamps for further scrutiny and inspection and Human Hair to test your sharpened scissors. Your scissors will be handed back to you in the same pristine condition as sharp or in most cases sharper than when bought new. Your scissors will cut the hair like a hot knife cutting threw butter without sliding, pinching or folding. Every stylist is offered a comprehensive Gold Standard insurance and detailed maintenance instructional brochure. We strongly recommend that everyone reads it!!!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Scissors are never the same after sharpening...

Scissors are never the same after sharpening...unless they are done professionally!
New and Newly serviced scissors are easy to damage. Treat them with care. Do give newly sharpened scissors a few light hair cuts to run in the edges.
LOOSE TENSION WILL CAUSE IMMEDIATE AND DESTRUCTIVE WEARING OF THE SHEARS! Shear Integrity does not wish to malign honest and reputable sharpening services neither does Shear Integrity wish to perpetuate or be part of the problem. Someone must go on record to raise the bar and industry standard.

Monday, March 15, 2010

IS YOUR SHARPENER RUINING YOUR SCISSORS?

What happens when 95% of Salon Sharpeners cannot sharpen correctly and 98% of stylist doesn’t properly maintain their expensive tools?
The situation has become TOXIC!
Shear Integrity does not wish to perpetuate or be part of the problem.
Shear Integrity does not wish to malign reputable sharpening services.
Shear Integrity hopes you read these BLOGS in the spirit in which they were intended!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Why did my newly sharpened scissors dull out so quickly?

A novice sharpener will simply POLISH the outer edge and smooth out the inside of blades instead of sharpening the scissors correctly for fear of disfiguring the edge. The scissors will be dull again within 2-3 haircuts! A lot of times a novice sharpener is afraid of showing their work by leaving a distinct line of demarcation (a wavy blade or bevel). Leaving a weak line is caused by poor control and lack of skill and experience when sharpening the higher end softer steel shears. Consider yourself fortunate because once any metal is removed it cannot be replaced!
Shear Integrity does not wish to malign honest and reputable sharpening services. Shear Integrity does not wish to perpetuate or be part of the problem.

CAUTION...

New and Newly serviced scissors are easy to damage. Treat them with care. Do give newly sharpened scissors a few light hair cuts to run in the edges. Don’t cut heavy sections of hair. When cutting with scissor over comb, cut at least ¼ inch from the comb to avoid accidently damaging the scissor by cutting into the comb.
Check Tension Daily…
LOOSE TENSION WILL CAUSE IMMEDIATE AND DESTRUCTIVE WEARING OF SHEARS.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

IS YOUR SHARPENER RUINING YOUR SCISSORS?

All one has to do is look around their own salon. Simply inspect your edges by comparing them to a new scissor and the answer is painfully obvious. Before you trustingly handover your expensive shears to the next sharpener find out what insurance they offer if you’re not satisfied with the quality of their work. Be sure to ask for a detailed receipt. Salon sharpening is a lot like playing Russian Roulette. Always trust your first instinct. If you don’t feel comfortable handing over your costly shears, take a pass. Once any metal is removed it cannot be replaced! $200+ shears are not disposable and should not be discarded after only a few sharpenings!
Shear Integrity does not wish to malign honest and reputable sharpening services neither does Shear Integrity wish to perpetuate or be part of the problem. Someone must go on record to raise the bar and industry standard.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Care and maintenance for oversized shears...

Oversized shears 6.5-8inches and longer are not precision/balanced tools. Oversized shears with a Japanese Convex configuration and soft steels are even more susceptible to damage. You have 2 inches of handle and 5 and more inches of blades. If for any reason the tension is not set correct the blades will open and close on an uneven plain causing the blades to bite into each other wearing out prematurely and nicking and pitting the inside edges. This is especially true when point cutting with loose tension and cutting too thick sections of hair.
Don’t throw your oversized shears onto the hard surface of the counter top.
Over time this will fatigue the blades causing them to lose the set.
LOOSE TENSION WILL CAUSE IMMEDIATE AND DESTRUCTIVE WEARING OF THE SHEARS!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Store your scissors in a protective case

Don’t store your shears loose in a draw where they will knock into each other and come into contact with other objects i.e. combs, clips and brushes etc...Where they can nick the blades, lose their set or worse!
Don’t throw your scissors on to the hard counter top of your work station. This will cause the scissors to loosen up and lose their set. Place your shears down on a soft protective mat.
Wipe your shears clean and dry removing any and all oxidants before storing away after use.

Alternate between shears!

Always alternate between shears. It's impossible the cut with only one shear without incident between servicing and sharpening. Most stylists dull their edges out within the first month from abuse and neglect. What happens if you drop your only pair on to the hard floor or you cut into your comb? What happens if you get a BAD SHARPENING? Alternating between scissors prolongs the edges and the need for frequent sharpening.
LOOSE TENSION WILL CAUSE IMMEDIATE AND DESTRUCTIVE WEARING OF SHEARS!
Shear Integrity does not wish to malign honest and reputable sharpening services. Shear Integrity does not wish to perpetuate or be part of the problem.

Before your next sharpening...

If your shears were badly damaged by another sharpening service please set realistic expectations when having them correctively re-sharpened and refurbished. Honing a pristine edge on a scissor with only half a blade does not make it new! Always give new and newly sharpened scissors a few light hair cuts to run the edges in. When cutting with scissor over comb, cut about 1/4 inch from the comb to avoid accidentally damaging scissors by cutting into the comb.
Shear Integrity does not wish to malign honest and reputable sharpening services. Shear Integrity does not wish to perpetuate or be part of the problem.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Please Take Note...

1) Check and adjust proper tension every day.
2) Wipe clean and dry after every haircut
3) Don’t cut heavy sections.
4) Don’t pressure the blades.
5) Rest your shears on a padded surface.
6) Don’t tap comb with scissors to remove hair
7) Always alternate between scissors to prolong edges.
8) Clean and lubricate after each day.
9) Store separately in protective case.
10) Never loan your scissors, everyone cuts and pressures differently!

Please Do Not Ignore!

WARNING: Loose Tension Will Cause Immediate And Destructive Wearing Of Shears!

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Crawling up a dull razor!

Please tell us if the language or sentiment is too strong.
We are really frustrated and at wits end.
The salon sharpening business has hit an all time low and it seems like everyone
is either oblivious or just don't care.
We can't think of anything more important to a stylist than their costly
shears being ruined every time they get sharpened!?
We can't tell you how frustrating and demoralizing it is when we sharpen
3000-5000 scissors without incident and are called back for ONE because the
stylist was CLUELESS to take a screw driver or tighten the tension knob on
their high end delicate shears!!!

Thursday, February 25, 2010

ATTENTION TRI-STATE STYLIST AND STUDENTS

Attention Stylist and Beauty Students!
ALWAYS GIVE NEW AND NEWLY SERVICED SCISSORS A FEW LIGHT HAIRCUTS TO WORK THE EDGES IN.
WIPE SCISSORS CLEAN AND DRY AFTER EVERY HAIRCUT.
DON’T CUT HEAVY SECTIONS.
DON’T PRESSURE THE BLADES.
CHECK TENSION DAILY. IF SCISSORS ARE PUSHING, FOLDING OR GRABBING THE HAIR, THEY NEED EITHER ADJUSTMENT OR SERVICE.
If for some reason your scissor is not cutting properly………….. DO NOT PANIC!
It could be something as simple as a new washer replacement settling or in most cases loose or improper tension.
LOOSE TENSION WILL CAUSE IMMEDIATE AND DETSTRUCTIVE WEARING OF SHEARS.
Before calling Shear Integrity please clean and lubricate your scissors and adjust your shears to the proper tension. If the problem still persist Shear Integrity will either re-sharpen the shears on our next visit or you can mail them back to us for a 24 hr. turnaround. REMEMBER all work must first be AUTHORIZED, TESTED and then APPROVED by you the stylist before we leave your salon.
Shear Integrity provides HUMAN HAIR for test cutting and an ILLUMINATED MAGNIFICATION LAMP for further scrutiny and inspection.
All sharpening and service preformed by Shear Integrity is Insured up $750 per shear.
Shear Integrity will provide you with our extensive WIN-WIN Customer Insurance Policy and Scissor Maintenance and Instructional Brochure upon request or you can view and download from our web site.
The Management of SHEAR INTEGRITY hopes you read this in the spirit in which it was intended. SHEAR INTEGRITY wants to earn your TRUST, MUTUAL RESPECT AND LOYALTY. WE ARE ONLY AS GOOD AS OUR LAST SHARPENING!

Attention New York Tri- State Customers

Shear Integrity is scaling back our Salon sharpening Service to one team. If you are a Loyal and Satisfied customer of Shear Integrity this should not affect you. About 80% of Shear Integrity's Salon Sharpening is Corrective and half of that should be replaced or discarded. Please set reasonable expectations when having your damaged shears refurbished and repaired. Honing a pristine edge on a scissor with only half a blade does not make it new! Every time Shear Integrity enters a Salon we are undermining and maligning our own reputation. If after 30+ years Shear Integrity with its gold standard insurance policy backing our highest quality workmanship and providing detailed illustrated instructions has not taught certain customers the importance of alternating between shears and daily maintenance. (i.e. Proper Adjustment/ Tension, Lubricating and Cleaning and not to treat their tools carelessly by sharing them with their co workers or dropping them onto hard surfaces or tap the combs to remove hair etc…) Then we feel it’s time to take tighter control of the work we except. It’s almost impossible for any busy stylist to cut with only one scissor without incident between servicing! It’s uncanny how certain customers will only remember the last person to touch their tools. Why spend $200 + on your shears only to have them perform like a $50 knock off within the first few weeks. If you’re not going to take responsibility for your tools than why not replace them every 3-6 months rather than sharpen them because the edges will dull out within days due to miss-use and neglect!Please do not call Shear Integrity back to adjust the tension on your shears. Our sharpeners are not MOBILE SCREW DRIVERS! When it comes to sharpening Shear Integrity has always been more concerned about Quality and not Quantity. Shear Integrity does not wish to perpetuate or be part of the problem.
These are tough economic times and the last thing anyone needs is to replace their expensive shears after only a few sharpenings.
Loyal Customers can still expect the same quality service. Shear Integrity will still send a team of TWO scissor techs and usually a third sales person. The sharpening is triple redundant then double checked by a second tech and finally inspected and approved by YOU! Shear Integrity also provides Human Hair and an Illuminated Magnification Lamp for further scrutiny and inspection!
For your protection and peace of mind Shear Integrity asks all Loyal and perspective customers to either read first or download our WIN-WIN Customer Insurance Policy provided below. You may even save it as a file and choose between three colors. Just Read it!!!
The Management of SHEAR INTEGRITY hopes you read this in the spirit in which it was intended. Beware of entrusting the prize tools of your craft - those for which you have paid hundreds of dollars - to inferior and unqualified "scissor technicians". It's frustrating when you entrust something so important to someone and it is returned with a new problem. Someone must go on record to raise the bar and industry standard. SHEAR INTEGRITY wants to earn your TRUST, MUTUAL RESPECT AND LOYALTY. WE ARE ONLY AS GOOD AS OUR LAST SHARPENING!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Buyer Beware!

Beware of venders soliciting your shop selling inferior Knockoffs.Shear Integrity only sells Brand Recognized products and encourages our customers to Google before making a purchase! You should know the majority of 'JAPANESE STYLE' shears being sold under $300 are in fact not made in JAPAN. They are bought in bulk for as little as $10 a piece and being sold at the significantly higher price as the AUTHENTIC JAPANESE shears. To compound the problem these shears are being dumped on the Barber and Animal Grooming trade who are far better off using the more durable ORIGINAL GERMAN TEMPERED STEEL shears designed for that type of rough work and treatment. By mis-labeling the country of origin and using generic descriptive terms (i.e. Japan Steel, Hitachi Steel, and Cobalt Japan etc) to deceive the unsuspecting stylist. Most of these products are made in China, Taiwan and Korea at a fraction of the cost. Finished in USA means Pakistan! FACT: Use a magnet when identifying cobalt scissors. (A true super cobalt material is non magnetic).

SHEAR INTEGRITY does not wish to malign honest and reputable sharpening services and scissor manufacturers. Neither does SHEAR INTEGRITY believe that everyone should cut with $500+ shears made only in Japan. SHEAR INTEGRITY also does not believe that their customers should pay $25-50 to sharpen or repair a $5 cast-metal blank. (Ironically it is simpler to sharpen an authentic Japanese shear, because the alloys in the Japanese shear make it more responsive and the results more predictable than the weaker, inferior steels used in the copies and knockoffs.)

The Management of SHEAR INTEGRITY hopes you read this in the spirit in which it was intended. Someone must go on record to raise the bar and industry standard. Shear Integrity does not wish to perpetuate or be part of the problem. SHEAR INTEGRITY wants to earn your TRUST, MUTUAL RESPECT AND LOYALTY. WE ARE ONLY AS GOOD AS OUR LAST SHARPENING!

Monday, February 22, 2010

Have Full Knowledge of Your Tools

WARNING: IS YOUR SHARPENER RUINING YOUR SHEARS?
Did you know that over 75% of all first time sharpening is done incorrectly and that half of that should be replaced or discarded? Simply inspect your edges after they were sharpened by comparing them to a new edge and the difference is painfully obvious. Armed with these sobering statistics hair stylist should think twice before spending hundreds of dollars on their next pair of scissors.

Salon Sharpening has become a thriving epidemic.

Please allow us to expose the truth and explain why the situation is only getting worse. Please be aware that salon sharpening is fast becoming a business franchise where increasing numbers of ill-equipped and improperly trained sharpeners who bought into the business are practicing on your shears. This highly saturated field is in no way regulated. Today instead of years of proper training and experience anyone for a fee can call themselves a sharpener after only a few hour course and a worthless certificate. Do you really want to pay a novice your hard earned money who’s only real training and experience comes from learning on the job by practicing on your valuable shears? Always trust your first instinct. If you don’t feel comfortable handing over your costly shears, takes a pass. Once any metal is removed it cannot be replaced!

Before you trustingly hand over your tools to the next sharpener to visit your salon or mail them away to an unproven vendor, please take these few important steps:

• Ensure that the vendor is legitimate and doing business legally for your protection.

• Find out what insurance they offer if you are not satisfied with the quality of their work…Ask for a detailed receipt.
Have your sharpener explain what was done wrong to your shears and how they plan to correct them. Have them sharpen or correct one blade first for your comparison and inspection.

• Ask for references.

SHEAR INTEGRITY does not wish to malign honest and reputable sharpening services and scissor manufacturers.
Neither does Shear Integrity wish to perpetuate or be part of the problem.

The Management of SHEAR INTEGRITY hopes you read this in the spirit in which it was intended. Beware of entrusting the prize tools of your craft -those for which you have paid hundreds of dollars - to inferior and unqualified "scissor technicians". It's frustrating when you entrust something so important to someone and it is returned with a new problem. Someone must go on record to raise the bar and industry standard. SHEAR INTEGRITY wants to earn your TRUST, MUTUAL RESPECT AND LOYALTY. WE ARE ONLY AS GOOD AS OUR LAST SHARPENING!

Sunday, February 14, 2010

TAKE CONTROL AND RESPONIBILITY OF YOUR TOOLS!

LOOSE TENSION WILL CAUSE IMMEDIATE AND DESTRUCTIVE WEARING OF THE SHEARS.
What happens when 95% of Salon Sharpeners cannot sharpen correctly?
What happens when 98% of Stylist don’t take proper care and maintain their Valuable tools?
The situation has become Toxic!
Attention Stylist:
1)      Check and adjust proper tension every day.
2)      Wipe clean and dry after every haircut
3)      Don’t cut heavy sections.
4)      Don’t pressure the blades.
5)      Rest your shears on a padded surface.
6)      Don’t tap comb with scissors to remove hair
7)      Always alternate between scissors to prolong edges.
8)      Clean and lubricate after each day.
9)      Store separately in protective case.
10)   Never loan your scissors, everyone cuts and pressures differently!
The Management of Shear Integrity hopes you read this in the spirit in which it was intended. Shear Integrity does not wish to malign honest and reputable sharpening services.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Groomers Blog

Attention Groomers,
WARNING: IS YOUR SHARPENER RUINING YOUR SCISSORS?

Have you or someone you know had a bad experience as the result of scissor sharpening or had their shears ruined by a sharpening service? All one has to do is look around their own shop! On site Sharpening has become a thriving epidemic! Did you know that over 75% of all first time sharpening is done incorrectly and half of that should be replaced or discarded? This is usually caused from unnecessarily removing too much of the critically essential metal from the blades rendering your shears worthless!

 The problem is far worse for the Barber, Tailoring and Pet Grooming trade. Simply inspect your edges after they were sharpened by comparing them to a new edge and the difference is painfully obvious. Armed with these sobering statistics Groomer's should think twice before spending hundreds of dollars on their next pair of scissors!

It would be impractical or impossible for every groomer to return their shears back to the original manufacturer for servicing and repairs.

 Before you decide to have someone perform actions by practicing on the prized tools of your craft, find out how they will be serviced. Don’t let servicing the tools of your trade become a scary proposition, but be sure to have a full knowledge of what is being done with your shears.
STOP FRAUD!



Beware of venders soliciting your shop selling inferior Knockoffs. You should know the majority of 'JAPANESE STYLE' shears being sold under $300 are in fact not made in JAPAN. They are bought in bulk for as little as $10 a piece and being sold at the significantly higher price as the AUTHENTIC JAPANESE shears. To compound the problem these shears are being dumped on the Barber and Animal Grooming trade who are far better off using the more durable ORIGINAL GERMAN TEMPERED STEEL shears designed for that type of rough work and treatment. 

By mis-labeling the country of origin and using generic descriptive terms (i.e. Japan Steel, Hitachi Steel, and Cobalt Japan etc) to deceive the unsuspecting groomer. Most of these products are made in China, Taiwan and Korea at a fraction of the cost. Finished in USA means Pakistan! FACT: Use a magnet when identifying cobalt scissors. (A true super cobalt material is non magnetic).

SHEAR INTEGRITY does not wish to malign honest and reputable sharpening services and scissor manufacturers.  Neither does SHEAR INTEGRITY believe that everyone should cut with $500+ shears made only in Japan. SHEAR INTEGRITY also does not believe that their customers should pay $25-50 to sharpen or repair a $5 cast-metal blank. (Ironically it is simpler to sharpen an authentic Japanese shear, because the alloys in the Japanese shear make it more responsive and the results more predictable than the weaker, inferior steels used in the copies and knockoffs.)

The Management of SHEAR INTEGRITY hopes you read this in the spirit in which it was intended. Beware of entrusting the prize tools of your craft - those for which you have paid hundreds of dollars - to inferior and unqualified "scissor technicians". It's frustrating when you entrust something so important to someone and it is returned with a new problem. Someone must go on record to raise the bar and industry standard. SHEAR INTEGRITY wants to earn your TRUST, MUTUAL RESPECT AND LOYALTY. WE ARE ONLY AS GOOD AS OUR LAST SHARPENING!