The Best ATS-314 Cobalt Steel Scissors
ATS-314 is Hitachi Metals' cobalt-alloyed stainless grade, used across the professional mid-range by multiple Japanese and Australian manufacturers. It sits above standard chromium stainless steel in edge retention and sits below powder steel grades in hardness ceiling. The practical position is a capable everyday steel that sharpens consistently without requiring powder-grade expertise. Five picks here, from a US$190 entry offset to a US$510 precision build.
Updated
What are the best ATS-314 scissors for hairdressers?
Passion's Original Offset, around US$190, is the entry-level ATS-314 pair from DOWA International in the foundational offset configuration. Yasaka's Traditional, around US$259, uses ATS-314 with a convex edge in a classic even-handle build suited to stylists who prefer symmetric geometry. Jonetsu's YK, around US$495, is an all-round offset pair made in Japan with a mirror finish and thumb-screw tension. Kamisori's Shadow, around US$510, pairs ATS-314 with a black coating and a convex edge designed for wet and dry cutting. Yasaka's SA Offset, around US$513, is the precision-focused Yasaka offset with ATS-314 cobalt and a convex edge for exacting blade work.
Each pick below lists ATS-314 as its steel on the product page. Guide prices move; confirm current figures before buying. Stylists who want to compare ATS-314 against VG-10 at similar price points should also read the VG-10 shears roundup.
Specs at a glance
| Attribute | Pick 1 Passion Original Offset Cutting Scissors Passion | Pick 2 Yasaka Traditional Cutting Scissors Yasaka | Pick 3 Jonetsu YK Shears Jonetsu | Pick 4 Kamisori Shadow Hair Cutting Scissors Kamisori | Pick 5 Yasaka SA Offset Precision Shears Yasaka |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price band | US$190Price band US$100–200 · Entry-level | US$259Price band US$200–400 · Mid-range | US$495Price band US$400–800 · Premium | US$510Price band US$400–800 · Premium | US$513Price band US$400–800 · Premium |
| Steel | ATS-314 | ATS-314 | ATS-314 | ATS-314 | ATS-314 |
| Made in | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan |
| Handle | Offset | Traditional | Offset | Offset | Offset |
| Blade type | Not listed | Convex | Not listed | Not listed | Convex |
| Sizes (in) | 5.0· 5.5· 6.0 | 4.5· 5.0· 5.5· 6.0 | 5.5· 6.0 | Not listed | 5.5· 6.0 |
| Product links | View product | View product | View product | View product | View product |
Five ATS-314 picks from US$190 to US$513
1PassionPassion Original Offset Cutting Scissors
- ATS-314
- Offset handle
- 5.0 · 5.5 · 6.0″
Passion’s longest-running model, made in Japan in ATS-314 with a classic offset handle. The foundational offset configuration in the Passion range, covering everyday salon cutting. Available through DOWA International.
View Passion Original Offset Cutting Scissors- 2Yasaka
Yasaka Traditional Cutting Scissors
- ATS-314
- Traditional handle
- Convex blade
Yasaka’s even-handle ATS-314 pair with a convex edge. The traditional (straight/classic symmetric) handle suits stylists trained on symmetric geometry or whose work involves regular grip reversal.
View Yasaka Traditional Cutting Scissors - 3Jonetsu
Jonetsu YK Shears
- ATS-314
- Offset handle
- 5.5 · 6.0″
Jonetsu’s all-round offset pair in ATS-314 with a convex edge, mirror finish, and thumb-screw tension adjustment. Made in Japan. Available through tricut.com.
View Jonetsu YK Shears - 4Kamisori
Kamisori Shadow Hair Cutting Scissors
- ATS-314
- Offset handle
Kamisori’s black-coated ATS-314 pair with a convex edge, rated for wet and dry cutting. The black coating and finish are the signature specification alongside the steel grade.
View Kamisori Shadow Hair Cutting Scissors - 5Yasaka
Yasaka SA Offset Precision Shears
- ATS-314
- Offset handle
- Convex blade
Yasaka’s precision-focused offset scissor in ATS-314 cobalt with a convex edge. Positioned above the Traditional in the Yasaka range, with an offset handle and a precision-focused product brief. Compare its control on the exact cutting task you use.
View Yasaka SA Offset Precision Shears
Brands in this guide
Identity links · not a quality rank
Where ATS-314 sits in the grade hierarchy
ATS-314 is Hitachi Metals’ cobalt-alloyed stainless grade. It contains cobalt, chromium, and molybdenum additions that raise hardness and edge retention compared to standard chromium stainless steels. In the professional scissor hierarchy, it sits above entry-level stainless and comparable to VG-10 — two different cobalt-alloyed grades produced by different Hitachi divisions for broadly the same performance tier.
The practical case for ATS-314 is the same as for VG-10: a steel that sharpens consistently with standard convex or flat-stone service, holds a working edge across a full professional day, and does not require the specialist equipment that powder steel grades demand. For a stylist who sharpens on schedule and wants consistent performance without the premium cost of sintered or powder steel, ATS-314 is a capable specification.
The five picks span the main formats: entry-level offset, classic symmetric, mid-range all-round, precision offset, and a black-coated variant for stylists who want the finish.
How we chose
Each pick lists ATS-314 as its steel grade on the product page. Picks 4 and 5 are priced within a few dollars of each other — the distinction is the black finish and positioning of the Kamisori Shadow versus the precision and offset-handle focus of the Yasaka SA Offset. Confirm guide prices before buying, and confirm your sharpener’s experience with the edge type (convex or other) listed on your chosen pair.
Where to buy: the Yasaka Traditional and Kamisori Shadow are stocked by Japan Scissors; the Shadow also goes through specialist Kamisori stockists, and the SA Offset through Japan Scissor Shop and specialist Yasaka stockists.
The comparison context
The VG-10 shears roundup covers the comparable Hitachi grade from the same price tier. The cobalt steel shears roundup covers a broader selection of cobalt-alloyed grades including ATS-314, VG-10, and standard cobalt alloys together.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 answers you can open one at a timeWhat is ATS-314 steel and who makes it?
ATS-314 is a cobalt-alloyed stainless steel grade produced by Hitachi Metals. The cobalt addition raises hardness and wear resistance compared to standard chromium stainless grades, placing ATS-314 in the professional mid-range alongside VG-10 and standard cobalt alloys. Multiple Japanese and Australian manufacturers use it in their mid-range and upper-mid professional lines.
How does ATS-314 compare to VG-10?
Both are cobalt-alloyed Japanese stainless grades aimed at the professional mid-range, and both are used by reputable manufacturers for working scissors in the US$200 to US$600 bracket. The differences in practice are small. VG-10 includes vanadium in its alloy for fine carbide distribution; ATS-314 uses a different cobalt-chromium-molybdenum balance. Edge performance and retention at comparable use levels are broadly similar. The more meaningful buying factor is the specific scissor’s edge geometry and grind quality rather than ATS-314 versus VG-10 as raw grades.
Does ATS-314 require any specialist sharpening?
No. ATS-314 is a conventional alloy that standard convex or flat-stone sharpening services can work with. It does not require the powder-steel-specific equipment that grades like SG2 or G Super cobalt demand. Confirm your sharpener works with the edge type on your specific scissors (convex or beveled) rather than the steel grade.
Which brands use ATS-314?
Yasaka uses ATS-314 across much of its professional range. Kamisori uses it in mid-range and upper-tier models. Jonetsu uses it in the YK and related offset lines. DOWA International distributes both DOWA-branded and Passion-branded scissors using ATS-314. Washou and Osaka also use ATS-314 in several of their production models.