Question Authority

To all beauty school students,

Are you paying $800 for a SET of Student Scissors with your kit to practice cutting on MANNEQUINS?
Does this make any sense to you?
Should you be asking this question?

Meticulously Inspect Your Shears Before And After Sharpening

Using a cell phone camera compare and test your sharpened scissors to a new pair of scissors.

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.

YOU CAN BORROW, BUT NEVER LOAN!

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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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!

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!

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!!!

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.

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!

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.