The Best EKS Scissors for Hairdressers
EKS is a German scissor maker based in Solingen, a city with a long association with blade production. The range covers two cutting lines — Classic Satin and Chiroform — and a thinning range with variable and castle blade options, all in German Solingen stainless steel. Four picks from $60 to $145, all made in Germany.
What are the best EKS scissors?
The Classic Satin, around $70, is EKS's widest cutting scissor — German Solingen stainless in a classic even handle with one micro-serrated blade, available from 4.5 to 7.0 inch. The Chiroform, around $60, is an entry-level cutting scissor in the same German steel with a classic even handle, available in 4.5 to 6.0 inch. The Classic Variable Thinning, around $99, has 14 teeth in a 6.0-inch blade for general thinning and blending work. The Classic Castle Thinning, around $145, uses a castle blade design for heavy volume removal and texturising at a higher cut ratio than the Variable Thinning.
EKS does not publish a single steel grade name across its product pages; the hairdressing range is described by retailers as German Solingen stainless with micro-serrated blades. The practical difference between the Classic Satin and Chiroform is the size range and price point — the Satin runs to 7.0 inch and costs a little more; the Chiroform stops at 6.0 inch. Both use a classic even (symmetric) handle, which is the traditional straight geometry rather than an offset. The Variable Thinning has 14 teeth for a controlled, blended result; the Castle Thinning uses widely-spaced castle teeth for chunking and heavy volume work. All four are stocked by UK retailers, with Pro Sharp listed as an active stockist. EKS’s own site at eks-solingen.de lists the full specification for each model.
Verified Jun 2026
Four EKS picks from $60 to $145
| Attribute | EKS Classic Satin EKS | EKS Chiroform EKS | EKS Classic Variable Thinning EKS | EKS Classic Castle Thinning EKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price guide | US$70 | US$60 | US$99 | US$145 |
| Price tier | Budget | Budget | Entry-level | Entry-level |
| Steel | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Made in | Germany | Germany | Germany | Germany |
| Handle | Classic (even) | Classic (even) | Classic (even) | Classic (even) |
| Blade type | Convex | Convex | 14 teeth | Castle blade |
| Sizes (in) | 4.5 · 5.0 · 5.5 · 6.5 · 7.0 | 4.5 · 5.0 · 5.5 · 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| View product | View product | View product | View product |
All four made in Solingen, Germany. Guide prices at time of writing; confirm current figures on each product page.
The EKS Solingen range
EKS is a scissor maker based in Solingen, Germany. The brand runs two cutting lines — Classic Satin and Chiroform — and a thinning range that includes the Classic Variable Thinning and Classic Castle Thinning. All use German Solingen stainless steel with a classic even (symmetric) handle design. The Chiroform is also available in Satin and Cerise finishes. A left-handed version of the Classic Satin cutting scissor is offered for left-handed stylists.
Solingen has been Germany’s blade-making centre for centuries. EKS states its instruments are produced and controlled in Germany; the full catalogue and per-model specifications are on eks-solingen.de.
The four picks
1. EKS Classic Satin (guide price around $70). EKS’s primary professional cutting scissor — German Solingen stainless in a satin finish with a classic even handle, one micro-serrated blade, and an adjustable tension screw. Available in 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.5, and 7.0 inch — the widest size run in the EKS cutting range. The even handle geometry matches the traditional straight hold preferred by stylists trained on symmetric scissors. Available through Pro Sharp and yoiscissors.co.uk.
2. EKS Chiroform (around $60). EKS’s entry-level cutting scissor in German Solingen stainless with a classic even handle, one micro-serrated blade, and a silencer bumper. Available in 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0 inch. The Chiroform is the lower guide price in the EKS cutting range and the shorter size run; the Classic Satin is the step up. Suited to students and stylists beginning with German professional scissors. Available through Pro Sharp and yoiscissors.co.uk.
3. EKS Classic Variable Thinning (around $99). EKS’s 14-tooth thinning scissor in German Solingen stainless with a satin finish and classic even handle, at 6.0 inch. The 14-tooth count gives a controlled, blended thinning result suited to finishing work and standard texture removal. The even handle matches the geometry of the EKS cutting range, making the Variable Thinning a direct complement to the Classic Satin or Chiroform. Available through Pro Sharp.
4. EKS Classic Castle Thinning (around $145). EKS’s castle-blade chunking scissor in German Solingen stainless with a satin finish and classic even handle, at 6.0 inch. The castle blade uses widely-spaced teeth to remove bulk in pronounced chunks — a chunking tool for heavy volume removal from thick hair and creating deconstructed, textured ends, distinct from the blended result of the Variable Thinning. The highest guide price in the catalogued EKS range. Available through Pro Sharp.
How we chose
Each pick represents a distinct use case in the EKS range. The Classic Satin is the full-size-run professional cutter; the Chiroform is the entry-level cutter for the same even handle geometry. The Variable Thinning covers standard blending and finishing; the Castle Thinning covers heavy chunking and volume removal. Guide prices move; confirm current figures before buying.
The wider EKS catalogue
The EKS brand page and the full catalogue at eks-solingen.de cover additional Chiroform colour variants (including Cerise finish) and left-handed models. UK stockists including Pro Sharp and yoiscissors.co.uk carry the range with current pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
EKS is based in Solingen, Germany. The brand states most of its instruments are produced and controlled in Germany. The full specification for each model is on the EKS website at eks-solingen.de.
EKS scissors are described as German Solingen stainless steel. EKS does not publish a single named alloy grade across its product pages; retailers describe the hairdressing range as stainless steel with micro-serrated blades. For per-model steel details, see eks-solingen.de or retailer listings.
Both use a classic even handle and German Solingen stainless steel with one micro-serrated blade. The Classic Satin is available in a wider size range (4.5 to 7.0 inch) and carries a slightly higher guide price. The Chiroform stops at 6.0 inch and is the entry-level model in the EKS cutting range.
The Classic Castle Thinning uses a castle blade — widely spaced teeth that remove bulk in pronounced chunks rather than blending gradually. It is a chunking tool suited to heavy volume removal from thick hair and creating textured ends, rather than a blending thinner.
EKS is stocked by UK retailers including Pro Sharp and yoiscissors.co.uk, and the full catalogue is available on the brand’s own site at eks-solingen.de. US buyers may need to purchase through European stockists.