The Best bmac Scissors for Hairdressers

bmac’s Niigata-made range

bmac is a Japanese scissor brand manufactured in Niigata, Japan, founded in 2002. The cutting range uses VG-10 steel at the entry and mid tiers, Carbon Steel on the Aiko, and Super Gold 2 powder metal steel across the upper range. Three pivot systems divide the catalogue: Flat (FLT) on entry and mid-range models, ESP on the Stiletto, and Spinning contact point (SPN) on upper-range models including the DEA. Cutting prices run from $390 at entry to above $3,000 at the top; the five picks below cover $390 to $1,000.

The five picks

1. bmac Love (guide price around $390). bmac’s entry VG-10 cutting shear: convex edge, a flat contact point pivot, and a choice of straight, offset, and left-handed offset handles on the same model — the most handle-flexible pick on this page. Two sizes, 5.5 and 6.0 inch. Available through Begley Schmit and Refun.

2. bmac Raijin (around $550). The Series 2 shear: VG-10 steel with a slight-offset anatomic handle shaped for a natural grip, and a flat contact point pivot. Four sizes from 5.5 to 7.0 inch — the widest run among the VG-10 picks here, covering standard salon through barber cutting lengths. Available through Begley Schmit and Refun.

3. bmac Aiko (around $600). The Series 3 shear, and the only Carbon Steel pick in this roundup: anatomically shaped handles in straight and semi-offset options, flat contact point pivot, and five sizes from 5.0 to 7.0 inch — tied with the DEA for the widest run on this page, from close detail lengths through barber lengths.

4. bmac Stiletto (around $970). The ESP pivot pick: Super Gold 2 powder metal steel on a straight handle with a single detachable and interchangeable finger rest. The product page notes the Stiletto is built for precision and point cutting. Three sizes: 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0 inch.

5. bmac DEA (around $1,000). The Series 4 shear: Super Gold 2 powder metal steel, the brand’s most anatomically designed handles, and the spinning contact point pivot — the SPN designation, distinct from the Flat and ESP types. Two handle types on the same model: straight in 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0 inch, offset in 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0 inch.

How we chose

All five are made in Niigata, Japan. The Love is the handle-flexible entry VG-10 pick; the Raijin is the VG-10 wide-size-run pick with a semi-offset anatomic handle. The Aiko is the Carbon Steel pick at five sizes. The Stiletto and DEA are both Super Gold 2 picks, split by pivot type — ESP on the Stiletto, Spinning (SPN) on the DEA — and by handle range. Guide prices move; confirm current figures before buying.

The wider bmac range

The bmac BC (around $490) is the straight-handle VG-10 shear in three sizes from 5.0 to 6.0 inch — an alternative to the Love and Raijin at the VG-10 tier. The bmac KC-60 (around $720) is the VG-10 straight-handle shear in a single 6.0 inch size — the mid-price VG-10 pick for stylists who want one length. The bmac Shinkansen (around $990) is the Super Gold 2 offset shear in a single 6.55 inch size with a spinning contact point pivot. The bmac Ginza (around $1,300) and bmac Aquarama (around $1,400) are the upper Super Gold 2 offset models in two non-standard sizes each. The bmac Genex (around $3,200) is the top of the cutting range — Super Gold 2 offset in 6.3 and 6.8 inch. Thinning and texturizing scissors are on the bmac brand page.