The Best CNC Scissors
CNC is a USA-based scissor brand that takes its name from the Computer Numerical Control machining process used to shape its blades. The range runs three steel grades: VG10 at the top, 440C at mid tier, and 9CR13 at entry level. Product types cover cutting shears, thinning shears, and dedicated left-handed models. Four picks here cover the cutting and thinning options across the VG10, 440C, and 9CR13 tiers.
What are the best CNC scissors?
The CNC 6 Inch VG10 Cutting Shear, guide price around $250, is the top-tier cutting option in the range, with VG10 steel and a CNC-machined blade, available in silver and gold. The CNC VG10 Thinning Shear brings the same top-grade steel to a 25-30% thinning rate shear for stylists who want the VG10 grade in a texturising tool. The CNC 440C Cutting Shear is the mid-tier cutting option in 440C stainless with a convex edge and offset handle. The CNC 9CR13 Thinning Shear, guide price around $200, is the entry-tier thinning option: 9CR13 steel, 25-30% thinning rate, available in a 6.0 inch size.
The steel tier structure in the CNC range follows the grade names on each product page. VG10 is the top grade, used in both the cutting and thinning lines. 440C is the mid-tier cutting steel. 9CR13 is the entry-tier option, available in the thinning line. CNC machines its blades across all three grades, citing the hardness of the steel as the reason for that process. Custom engraving and a 30-day return policy are available across the range. The 440C and VG10 thinning models carry no confirmed guide price at time of writing.
Verified Jul 2026
Four CNC picks from $200 to $250
| Attribute | CNC 6 Inch VG10 Steel Cutting Scissors CNC | CNC VG10 Thinning Shear CNC | CNC 440C Cutting Shear CNC | CNC 6 Inch 9CR13 Steel Thinning Scissors CNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price guide | US$250 | Not listed | Not listed | US$200 |
| Price tier | Mid-range | Not listed | Not listed | Mid-range |
| Steel | VG10 Steel | Not listed | Not listed | 9Cr13CoMoV |
| Handle | Not listed | Offset | Offset | Not listed |
| Blade type | Not listed | Thinning | Convex | Not listed |
| Sizes (in) | 6.0 | Not listed | Not listed | 6.0 |
| Product links | View product | View product | View product | View product |
All four sold directly through CNC Scissors. Guide prices at time of writing.
The CNC steel tier structure
CNC is a USA-based scissor brand, named after the Computer Numerical Control machining process used to shape the blades. The brand states its steel is hard enough to require CNC machining rather than conventional methods.
Three steel grades span the range. VG10 is the top tier, available in both cutting and thinning shears. 440C is the mid-tier cutting option. 9CR13 is the entry-tier grade, found in the thinning line. Custom engraving and a 30-day return policy come with every model, and CNC sells direct through its own online store.
The four picks
1. CNC 6 Inch VG10 Steel Cutting Scissors (guide price around $250). CNC’s top-tier cutting shear in VG10 steel: a CNC-machined 6.0 inch blade in silver or gold finishes, with custom engraving available and a 30-day return. The VG10 grade sits at the top of the CNC steel range, above 440C and 9CR13.
2. CNC VG10 Thinning Shear (guide price not confirmed at time of writing). The same top-grade steel in a texturising tool: a published 25-30% thinning rate, an offset handle, and a CNC-machined blade, in silver and gold finishes with custom engraving offered. A 25-30% rate cuts roughly a quarter of hairs per pass, which suits blending and graduation work.
3. CNC 440C Cutting Shear (guide price not confirmed at time of writing). CNC’s mid-tier cutter in 440C stainless: CNC-machined blade, convex edge, and an offset handle in a standard right-hand configuration. 440C sits below VG10 and above 9CR13 in the range. Custom engraving available here too.
4. CNC 6 Inch 9CR13 Steel Thinning Scissors (guide price around $200). The entry-tier thinning shear in 9CR13 steel: a CNC-machined 6.0 inch blade with a 25-30% thinning rate. 9CR13 is the entry grade in the CNC range, and custom engraving is available on it as on every model.
How we chose
The four picks cover the three steel tiers in the CNC range and split across cutting and thinning types. The VG10 6 Inch Cutting and 9CR13 Thinning models carry confirmed guide prices ($250 and $200 respectively); the VG10 Thinning and 440C Cutting models carry no confirmed guide price at time of writing. Left-hand models, the VG10 cutting and 9CR13 thinning left-hand shears, are kept as separate pages per the site’s left-hand policy and are not included here.
The wider CNC catalogue
Left-handed stylists can find the CNC VG10 and 9CR13 left-hand shears on the CNC brand page, which is the ScissorPedia reference for the full range including any models added after this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What steel grades does CNC use?
CNC’s product listings name three steel grades: VG10 at the top of the range, 440C at mid tier, and 9CR13 at entry level. VG10 is used in both cutting and thinning shears; 440C appears in the cutting line; 9CR13 is listed for thinning shears.
Where is CNC based?
CNC is a USA-based scissor brand. The brand takes its name from the CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining process it applies to its blades. Products are sold directly through the brand’s own online store. As of July 2026 that store address no longer resolves.
What thinning rate do CNC thinning shears have?
CNC’s thinning shears list a 25-30% thinning rate. That figure indicates roughly a quarter of hairs are cut per pass. Both the VG10 and 9CR13 thinning models carry this published rate.
Does CNC offer custom engraving?
Yes. CNC offers custom engraving across its product range, allowing stylists to add patterns, designs, or a name to the scissors.