The Best ATS-314 Cobalt Steel Scissors
ATS-314 is a cobalt stainless that Yasaka describes as a Yasugi specialty steel made by Proterial, formerly Hitachi Metals. There is no public producer datasheet for its composition or hardness, so read each maker's own specs. Five picks here, from a US$190 entry offset to a US$576 offset near the top of the Yasaka range.
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 SL, around US$576, sits near the top of the Yasaka range with ATS-314 and refined blade geometry in an offset handle.
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 SL Hair Cutting Scissors 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$576Price 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$576
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 SL Hair Cutting Scissors
- ATS-314
- Offset handle
- Convex blade
Yasaka’s SL in ATS-314 with refined blade geometry and an offset handle, in 5.5 and 6.0 inches. It sits near the top of the Yasaka range, above the even-handle Traditional.
View Yasaka SL Hair Cutting Scissors
Brands in this guide
Identity links · not a quality rank
What ATS-314 is
ATS-314 is a cobalt stainless that Yasaka attributes to Proterial (formerly Hitachi Metals). VG-10 comes from a different mill, Takefu Special Steel. No public data ranks the two, so the makers’ own specs for each pair are the numbers to compare.
Choose an ATS-314 pair the way you would any other: by the maker’s published specs, the edge, the handle and how it cuts in your hand. Use a sharpener who works on that edge type.
The five picks span the main formats: entry-level offset, classic symmetric, mid-range all-round, a black-coated variant, and an upper-range offset for stylists who want the finish.
How we chose
Each pick lists ATS-314 as its steel grade on the product page. The Kamisori Shadow is the black-coated pick, and the Yasaka SL is the upper-range 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 SL through Japan Scissor Shop and specialist Yasaka stockists.
The comparison context
The VG-10 shears roundup covers Takefu’s VG-10 at similar prices. 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 stainless steel that Yasaka describes as a Yasugi specialty steel made by Proterial, formerly Hitachi Metals. We have not found a public Proterial datasheet for it, so hardness figures come from each scissor maker. Yasaka, Kamisori, Jonetsu and Passion all list it on current models.
How does ATS-314 compare to VG-10?
Both are Japanese stainless steels used in professional shears. Takefu publishes VG10’s composition and lists it at HRC 60 or above; ATS-314 has no public producer datasheet. Neither steel name tells you which pair stays sharp longer, so compare the exact scissors: the maker’s stated hardness, the edge and the grind.
Does ATS-314 require any specialist sharpening?
Not because of the steel name. Use a sharpener who works on the edge your pair has (convex or bevelled) and follow the maker’s service advice.
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.