The Best alpha Scissors for Hairdressers
alpha is a Japanese scissor brand founded in January 2006 and based in Kichijoji, Musashino City, Tokyo, trading as Alpha Scissor Co., Ltd. The brand builds every model — cutting, thinning, and left-handed — in SG2 powder micro-particle steel, and sells the full range through its official site at alpha-scissors.jp. Prices on this page are converted from yen; guide prices vary with the exchange rate and the JPY figures on the alpha site are the authoritative reference.
What are the best alpha scissors?
The BM, around $514, is alpha's entry point — SG2 steel with a convex edge and offset handle at the lowest price in the range. The SG, around $771, steps into the high-grade tier in the same steel with three variants (M, C, L) tuned for different cutting applications. The OG, around $793, is the widest variant model in the high-grade catalogue — four sub-models (C, NC, H, M) with titanium coating available. The SGT, around $864, applies SG2 to a thinning format in 16, 18, and 20 tooth configurations for blending and texturising work. The PR, around $1,207, sits at the top of the alpha cutting range — the same SG2 platform and convex edge at the highest price point, with titanium coating as a factory option.
Every alpha model uses SG2, which alpha designates as powder micro-particle steel (粉末微粒子鋼材). That steel grade runs across the BM entry model and the OG, SG, and PR high-grade models without change — the price difference between tiers reflects the finish, variant range, and position in the lineup rather than a shift in steel grade. Titanium coating is available across most of the range as a factory option and adds surface hardness without changing the underlying blade geometry. Alpha runs in-person showrooms in Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, Omiya, and Fukuoka where stylists can trial models by appointment before buying — a buying process distinct from most online-only brands.
Verified Jun 2026
Five alpha picks from $514 to $1,207
| Attribute | alpha BM Basic Cutting Scissors alpha | alpha SG High-Grade Cutting Scissors alpha | alpha OG High-Grade Cutting Scissors alpha | alpha SGT Thinning Scissors alpha | alpha PR High-Grade Cutting Scissors alpha |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price guide | US$514 | US$771 | US$793 | US$864 | US$1,207 |
| Price tier | Premium | Luxury | Luxury | Luxury | Luxury |
| Steel | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Made in | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan |
| Handle | Offset | Offset | Offset | Offset | Offset |
| Blade type | Convex | Convex | Convex | Thinning | Convex |
| Sizes (in) | |||||
| View product | View product | View product | View product | View product |
All five made in Japan by Alpha Scissor Co., Ltd. in Kichijoji, Tokyo. Guide prices converted from JPY at time of writing — confirm current figures in yen on the alpha site before buying.
The alpha range
alpha is produced by Alpha Scissor Co., Ltd., founded in January 2006 in Kichijoji, Musashino City, Tokyo. The full range — cutting, thinning, and left-handed builds — uses SG2 powder micro-particle steel across every model. The brand sells directly through its official site at alpha-scissors.jp, where yen prices are the authoritative figures; USD guide prices on this page are converted approximations.
The lineup divides into an entry level (BM) and a high-grade tier (OG, SG, PR for cutting; SGT for thinning). The BM and the high-grade models share the same SG2 steel — the tier distinction reflects position in the catalogue and the breadth of variant options available per model, not a change in the underlying alloy.
All alpha scissors are made in Japan at the brand’s Kichijoji workshop.
The five picks
1. alpha BM (guide price around $514, ¥79,200). alpha’s entry cutting model in SG2 powder micro-particle steel with an offset handle and convex edge. The BM sits below the OG and SG lines in the alpha lineup and offers the brand’s SG2 construction at its lowest price point. Available in 6.0 inch. For current pricing, visit alpha scissors.
2. alpha SG (around $771, ¥118,800). alpha’s high-grade cutting model in three variants — SG-M, SG-C, and SG-L — each on the same SG2 steel and convex edge platform. The offset handle reduces wrist deviation through sustained cutting sessions. Titanium coating is available as a factory option across the SG line. For current variant specifications and sizing, visit alpha scissors.
3. alpha OG (around $793, ¥122,100). The widest variant model in the alpha high-grade cutting range, with four sub-models: OG-C, OG-NC, OG-H, and OG-M. All share SG2 powder micro-particle steel with a convex edge and offset handle; blade length and handle proportions vary between sub-models. Titanium coating is available as a factory option. For full variant details, visit alpha scissors.
4. alpha SGT (around $864, ¥133,100). alpha’s SG2 thinning model in three tooth configurations: SGT16, SGT18, and SGT20. The 16-tooth build removes the most volume per close and suits heavier blending work; the 20-tooth version gives finer, more controlled texturising. All three share the same offset handle and SG2 steel. For current pricing and availability, visit alpha scissors.
5. alpha PR (around $1,207, ¥185,900). The highest-priced model in the alpha cutting range. SG2 powder micro-particle steel, convex edge, offset handle. Available in PR-C and PR-H variants. Titanium coating is offered as a factory option. For current sizing and availability, visit alpha scissors.
How we chose
These five cover the full price spread of the alpha catalogue from ¥79,200 to ¥185,900 and include the only thinning model in the range. All five use SG2 steel — the choice between them is position in the catalogue, variant count, and handle sub-type rather than an alloy difference. Guide prices are JPY-converted USD approximations; confirm yen figures on the alpha site before buying.
The wider alpha catalogue
The alpha brand page covers the full lineup including left-handed builds and any models not represented in this roundup. alpha showrooms in six Japanese cities offer in-person trials by appointment — contact details are on the alpha-scissors.jp site.
Frequently Asked Questions
alpha builds every model in SG2, which the brand designates as powder micro-particle steel (粉末微粒子鋼材ＳＧ２). The same grade runs across the BM entry model and the OG, SG, SGT, and PR high-grade models. No other steel grade appears in the catalogued alpha range.
The BM entry model sits at around ¥79,200 (approximately $514 at the time of writing). The SG and OG high-grade models run around ¥118,800–¥122,100 (approximately $771–$793). The SGT thinning model is around ¥133,100 (approximately $864). The PR sits at approximately ¥185,900 (approximately $1,207). All prices are JPY — the alpha-scissors.jp site carries current yen figures, which are the definitive reference.
alpha sells its full range through its official site at alpha-scissors.jp. The brand also operates showrooms in six Japanese cities — Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, Omiya, and Fukuoka — where stylists can try models in person by appointment before buying.
All alpha models use SG2 powder micro-particle steel. The BM is positioned as alpha’s entry-level cutter — the same steel and convex edge as the high-grade range at a lower price point. The OG, SG, and PR models carry the high-grade designation and come in wider variant ranges, with more handle and blade options per model. The practical guide is the Japanese yen price on the alpha site.
The SGT is alpha’s SG2 thinning model, available in three tooth counts: SGT16 (16 teeth), SGT18 (18 teeth), and SGT20 (20 teeth). Lower tooth counts remove a higher proportion of hair per close and suit heavier blending; 20 teeth give a finer, more controlled removal rate for finishing and texturising. All three share the same SG2 steel and offset handle.