The Best AMA Scissors for Hairdressers
AMA is a UK professional hair shears brand distributed by G.E. Betterton and Co Ltd of Leatherhead, Surrey. The range uses Japanese stainless steel and is aimed at students and stylists building a first professional kit. Four picks from $65 to $95, covering entry cutting, mid-range cutting, thinning, and the upper-tier offset model.
What are the best AMA scissors?
The Z Line, around $65, is AMA's entry cutting scissor — Japanese stainless steel, offset handle, convex edge in 5.25, 5.5, and 5.75 inch. The Fusion, around $80, is the mid-tier offset cutter. The Silhouette Elite Thinning, around $90, is the blending thinner for finishing work. The Silhouette Elite Offset, around $95, is the top of the AMA cutting range in the same Japanese stainless and offset build.
All four AMA models use Japanese stainless steel and offset handles. The Z Line is the entry range; the Fusion and Silhouette Elite sit at the mid and upper tiers respectively. The Silhouette Elite Thinning pairs with the Elite Offset as a finishing thinner. Guide prices are from UK retailer listings in USD equivalent — AMA is UK-distributed and GBP pricing applies. Confirm current figures at the retailers listed below.
Verified Jun 2026
Four AMA picks from $65 to $95
| Attribute | AMA Z Line Cutting Scissors AMA | AMA Fusion Cutting Scissors AMA | AMA Silhouette Elite Thinning Scissors AMA | AMA Silhouette Elite Offset Cutting Scissors AMA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price guide | US$65 | US$80 | US$90 | US$95 |
| Price tier | Entry-level | Entry-level | Entry-level | Entry-level |
| Steel | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Made in | — | — | — | — |
| Handle | Offset | Offset | Offset | Offset |
| Blade type | Convex | Convex | Thinning | Convex |
| Sizes (in) | 5.25 · 5.5 · 5.75 | |||
| View product | View product | View product | View product |
All four distributed in the UK by G.E. Betterton and Co Ltd. Guide prices in USD equivalent at time of writing; confirm current GBP pricing at UK retailers.
The AMA range
AMA belongs to G.E. Betterton and Co Ltd, a Leatherhead, Surrey distributor with over 60 years in the professional shear trade. The brand uses Japanese stainless steel and is aimed at students and stylists at the entry to mid level of the professional market. Betterton also distributes Joewell, DOVO, and Yasaka, placing AMA as the house label within a wider specialist portfolio.
The four catalogued models run from the Z Line entry range through the mid-tier Fusion to the Silhouette Elite cutting and thinning pair at the top of the AMA line. All four use an offset handle and Japanese stainless steel. AMA has a broad UK retail network including Direct Hairdressing Scissors, Chris and Sons, and Salons Direct.
The four picks
1. AMA Z Line (guide price around $65). AMA’s entry cutting scissor in Japanese stainless steel with an offset handle and convex edge. The Z Line comes with a removable finger rest and is available in 5.25, 5.5, and 5.75 inch — three lengths covering the range of hand sizes typically encountered in a training intake. Available through Direct Hairdressing Scissors and UK AMA stockists.
2. AMA Fusion (around $80). AMA’s mid-tier cutting scissor in Japanese stainless steel with an offset handle and convex edge. The Fusion sits between the Z Line entry range and the Silhouette Elite upper tier, sharing the same Japanese stainless and offset construction. Available through Direct Hairdressing Scissors and UK AMA stockists.
3. AMA Silhouette Elite Thinning (around $90). AMA’s thinning scissor from the Silhouette Elite range, in Japanese stainless steel with an offset handle. The thinning blade removes bulk and blends weight from the hair, suited to finishing passes alongside the Silhouette Elite Offset cutting scissor. Available through Direct Hairdressing Scissors and UK AMA stockists.
4. AMA Silhouette Elite Offset (around $95). AMA’s top-of-range cutting scissor in Japanese stainless steel with an offset handle and convex edge. The Silhouette Elite Offset sits at the upper end of the AMA line, sharing the same Japanese stainless and offset build as the rest of the range. Available through Direct Hairdressing Scissors and UK AMA stockists.
How we chose
The four picks step through the complete AMA range: Z Line entry, Fusion mid, Silhouette Elite Thinning, and Silhouette Elite Offset. Guide prices are USD equivalents from UK retailer listings — AMA is UK-distributed with GBP pricing. Confirm current figures at the retailers listed above before buying.
The wider AMA catalogue
AMA’s full range, including sizes and current model availability, is listed at Direct Hairdressing Scissors and other UK stockists. G.E. Betterton is the authoritative source for brand detail and current distribution. The AMA brand page on ScissorPedia carries stockist information.
Frequently Asked Questions
AMA is the house brand of G.E. Betterton and Co Ltd, a UK distributor based in Leatherhead, Surrey. Betterton has operated in the professional shear trade for over 60 years and also distributes Joewell, DOVO, and Yasaka in the UK. For current AMA models, pricing, and availability, contact Betterton directly or check UK retailers such as Direct Hairdressing Scissors.
AMA uses Japanese stainless steel across the range. The brand’s product documentation describes the material as Japanese stainless without a specific JIS grade or hardness designation. For full steel specification, check the current retailer listings or contact G.E. Betterton.
The Z Line is AMA’s entry range, available in 5.25, 5.5, and 5.75 inch with a guide price around $65. The Silhouette Elite is the upper tier of the AMA range at around $95. Both use Japanese stainless steel and an offset handle with a convex edge — the tier difference reflects the build grade within the AMA line.
Yes. AMA is positioned for students and stylists at the entry level of professional shears, using Japanese stainless steel at a price point that suits a training budget. The Z Line in particular, from around $65, covers the sizes most commonly used in cosmetology training.
AMA has a broad UK retail presence. Stockists include Direct Hairdressing Scissors, Chris and Sons, and Salons Direct. The AMA brand page on ScissorPedia lists current stockist information.