The Best ABOVE Scissors for Hairdressers
ABOVE is a USA-based professional shear brand operated by Above International. The range runs cobalt steel across every model, with four distinct handle configurations: classic even, offset ergonomic, swivel thumb, and an offset thinner. Four picks here from $180 to $250.
What are the best ABOVE scissors?
The Classic, around $180, is ABOVE's entry point — cobalt steel in a traditional symmetric even handle for stylists who prefer a classic grip. The Ergo, around $200, puts the same cobalt steel into an offset handle for reduced wrist load through longer sessions. The Thinning Shear, also around $200, is the offset thinner for blending and weight removal. The Swivel, around $250, adds a rotating thumb ring for stylists managing wrist strain, all in cobalt steel with a convex edge.
All four ABOVE models use cobalt steel with a convex edge. The difference between them is handle geometry: the Classic is the symmetric even-handle build, the Ergo and Thinner use an offset configuration, and the Swivel adds a rotating thumb ring to the offset. Guide prices are estimates — confirm current figures on the retailer or brand page before buying.
Verified Jun 2026
Four ABOVE picks from $180 to $250
| Attribute | Above Classic Professional Shear Above | Above Ergo Professional Shear Above | Above Professional Thinning Shear Above | Above Swivel Professional Shear Above |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price guide | US$180 | US$200 | US$200 | US$250 |
| Price tier | Entry-level | Mid-range | Mid-range | Mid-range |
| Steel | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Made in | USA | USA | USA | USA |
| Handle | Classic (even) | Offset | Offset | Swivel |
| Blade type | Convex | Convex | Thinning | Convex |
| Sizes (in) | 5.5 · 6.0 | 5.5 · 6.0 | 6.0 | 5.5 · 6.0 |
| View product | View product | View product | View product |
All four made in USA by Above International. Guide prices at time of writing; confirm current figures on each product page.
The ABOVE range
ABOVE is operated by Above International, a USA-based company that runs the brand’s design and retail side. Cobalt steel runs through every model in the range — the brand describes it as handcrafted 100 percent premium cobalt construction across its lineup. The four cutting and thinning shears catalogued here cover 5.5 and 6.0 inch lengths, with handle geometry as the differentiating variable between them.
All four feature a convex edge and a removable finger rest. The Classic and the Ergo are both cutting shears distinguished only by handle position; the Thinning Shear shares the offset configuration with the Ergo; and the Swivel adds a rotating thumb mechanism to relieve accumulated wrist load.
ABOVE sells direct through aboveshears.com and through professional supply retailers including SalonCentric and Shear Integrity.
The four picks
1. ABOVE Classic (guide price around $180). ABOVE’s entry cutting shear in cobalt steel with a classic even handle and convex edge. The even handle places the thumb and finger rings at matching heights — the symmetric geometry preferred by stylists who rotate the hand frequently through scissor-over-comb and graduation work. Available in 5.5 and 6.0 inch. Comes with a removable finger rest. Available through ABOVE Shears and authorised US retailers.
2. ABOVE Ergo (around $200). ABOVE’s offset cutting shear in cobalt steel with a convex edge. The offset handle positions the thumb lower than the fingers, reducing wrist rotation through repetitive cutting sequences — the configuration most commonly recommended for stylists in high-volume environments. Available in 5.5 and 6.0 inch. Available through ABOVE Shears and authorised US retailers.
3. ABOVE Professional Thinning Shear (around $200). ABOVE’s offset thinning shear in cobalt steel. The thinning blade removes bulk and blends weight — suited to finishing passes after a cutting session to soften hard lines and reduce heaviness. Available in 6.0 inch. Available through ABOVE Shears and authorised US retailers.
4. ABOVE Swivel (around $250). ABOVE’s swivel-thumb cutting shear in cobalt steel with a convex edge. The rotating thumb ring allows the thumb to move independently of the wrist through a cutting stroke, reducing the cumulative shoulder and wrist tension that builds across a full day. Available in 5.5 and 6.0 inch. The top of the ABOVE cutting range. Available through ABOVE Shears and authorised US retailers.
How we chose
The four picks cover ABOVE’s complete handle geometry range: even, offset, thinning offset, and swivel. Guide prices are estimates — confirm current pricing on aboveshears.com or with an authorised retailer before buying.
The wider ABOVE catalogue
The full ABOVE range, including any models added since this page was last updated, is on the brand’s official site at aboveshears.com and through professional retailers including SalonCentric and Shear Integrity. The ABOVE brand page on ScissorPedia lists current stockist information.
Frequently Asked Questions
ABOVE uses cobalt steel across its range, which the brand describes as 100 percent premium cobalt construction. The cobalt content raises hardness and edge retention compared to standard stainless steel. For full specification details, check aboveshears.com or an authorised retailer such as SalonCentric or Shear Integrity.
The Classic uses a symmetric even handle, where both the thumb and finger rings sit at the same height. The Ergo uses an offset handle, where the thumb ring sits lower than the fingers, reducing the wrist rotation needed through a cutting stroke. Both use cobalt steel and a convex edge — the handle is the sole structural difference.
The Swivel adds a rotating thumb ring to the ABOVE offset handle, which allows the thumb to move freely during the cut rather than requiring the wrist to rotate. Stylists managing tension or fatigue in the wrist often find swivel-thumb geometry reduces the accumulated load across a full day of cuts. The Swivel is at guide price around $250 — confirm current pricing before buying.
ABOVE’s product documentation does not publish a tooth count for the Thinning Shear. For the specific tooth count and removal percentage, check the current listing at aboveshears.com or an authorised retailer such as Shear Integrity.
ABOVE sells through its official site at aboveshears.com and through professional retailers including Shear Integrity, Scissor Dude, SalonCentric, and Scissors Master. The ABOVE brand page on ScissorPedia lists current stockists.