The Best Jonetsu Scissors for Hairdressers
Jonetsu is a Japanese scissor brand distributed in the USA through multiple professional retailers. The cutting range works through Japanese Steel, 440C, ATS-314, Cobalt Alloy, and Damascus steel across offset and crane handle configurations. Several models carry the Arc Series designation — a named product family that includes the HMS, HMB, HME, and HMD — with the HMD built on the crane Arc Ergo Offset handle. Five picks span $250 to $595, covering five steel grades and two handle types, all made in Japan.
What are the best Jonetsu scissors for professional hairdressers?
The JP, around $250, is Jonetsu's Japanese Steel entry scissor in three sizes from 5.0 to 6.0 inch. The HM, around $495, puts ATS-314 on a crane handle with a mirror finish in three sizes. The Arc Series HMS, around $575, is the widest-size Japanese Steel offset model in five sizes from 5.0 to 7.0 inch. The Arc Series HMB, around $595, is the Cobalt Alloy offset model with flat thumb-screw tension in three sizes. The Arc Series HMD, around $595, is the Damascus model on the crane Arc Ergo Offset handle in three longer sizes from 6.0 to 7.0 inch.
All five are made in Japan. The JP is the entry offset without Arc Series designation. The HM and HMD are both crane handle picks — the HM in ATS-314 with a 5.0–6.0 inch size run, the HMD in Damascus on the Arc Ergo Offset crane handle with a 6.0–7.0 inch run suited to barbering. The HMS and HMB are both Arc Series offset picks — Japanese Steel in five sizes on the HMS, Cobalt Alloy with flat thumb-screw tension on the HMB.
Verified Jun 2026
The picks, at a glance
Product photos from the ScissorPedia catalogue; see each product page for provenance.
Five Jonetsu picks from $250 to $595
| Attribute | Jonetsu JP Shears Jonetsu | Jonetsu HM Crane Shears Jonetsu | Jonetsu Arc Series HMS Shears Jonetsu | Jonetsu Arc Series HMB Shears Jonetsu | Jonetsu Arc Series HMD Damascus Shears Jonetsu |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price guide | US$250 | US$495 | US$575 | US$595 | US$595 |
| Price tier | Mid-range | Premium | Premium | Premium | Premium |
| Steel | Not listed | ATS-314 | Not listed | Cobalt Alloy | Damascus |
| Made in | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan |
| Handle | Offset | Crane | Offset | Offset | Crane |
| Sizes (in) | 5.0· 5.5· 6.0 | 5.0· 5.5· 6.0 | 5.0· 5.5· 6.0· 6.5· 7.0 | 5.5· 6.0· 6.5 | 6.0· 6.5· 7.0 |
| Product links | View product | View product | View product | View product | View product |
All five made in Japan. Steel grades from product pages. Guide prices at time of writing; confirm current figures on each product page.
Jonetsu’s Japan-made range
Jonetsu is a Japanese scissor brand distributed through US professional retailers. The cutting range climbs from Japanese Steel at entry through 440C, ATS-314, and Cobalt Alloy to Damascus, across offset and crane handle types. Several mid-to-premium models carry the Arc Series designation — a named family that includes the HMS (Japanese Steel, five sizes), HMB (Cobalt Alloy), HME, and HMD (Damascus on the crane Arc Ergo Offset handle).
The five picks below span $250 to $595, covering the full steel progression and both handle configurations.
The five picks
1. Jonetsu JP (guide price around $250). Jonetsu’s entry Japanese Steel scissor: offset handle, removable finger rest, convex edge, in 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0 inch. Three standard salon lengths at the most accessible price on this page. Available through Scissor Dude and Tricut.
2. Jonetsu HM (around $495). The crane handle pick at the ATS-314 tier: the finger ring sits lower than the thumb ring to keep the elbow down through the cut, with an ATS-314 blade and a mirror finish. The 5.0 to 6.0 inch run covers detail and fringe lengths through standard salon length.
3. Jonetsu Arc HMS (around $575). The Arc Series Japanese Steel model and the range choice: 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0 inch — the widest size run on this page, from close detail work at 5.0 through scissor-over-comb and barber lengths at 7.0. Five sizes at one price point, for stylists who want to dial in a precise length across the full salon-to-barber span. Available through Scissor Dude, Tricut, and Shear Integrity.
4. Jonetsu Arc HMB (around $595). The Cobalt Alloy offset pick in the Arc Series: a light offset handle with flat thumb-screw tension, a pivot you adjust with the thumb — no tools needed. Three core salon lengths: 5.5, 6.0, and 6.5 inch. The one for stylists who want the Cobalt Alloy step on an offset grip.
5. Jonetsu Arc HMD (around $595). The Damascus pick: a Damascus blade with mirror polish on the crane Arc Ergo Offset handle — the Arc Series crane designation. Sizes run 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0 inch, the longer cutting lengths where crane geometry earns its keep: panel cutting, scissor-over-comb, and barber work.
How we chose
All five are made in Japan. Between them they cover five steel grades (Japanese Steel, ATS-314, Cobalt Alloy, and Damascus, across entry and Arc Series tiers), two handle configurations (offset and crane), and a $250 to $595 spread. The HM and HMD are both crane picks, split by steel (ATS-314 versus Damascus) and size range (5.0–6.0 versus 6.0–7.0 inch); the HMS takes the size-range spot with five lengths. Guide prices move; confirm current figures before buying.
The wider Jonetsu range
The Jonetsu PO (around $285) is the 440C entry model — convex edge, offset handle, thumb-screw tension, in 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0 inch. The Jonetsu HME (around $685) is the Arc Series Japanese Steel model in 5.5, 6.0, and 6.5 inch — a step above the HMS at a higher price point. The Jonetsu YK (around $495) and Jonetsu YKC (around $495) are ATS-314 offset models in two standard sizes, alternatives to the HM on an offset rather than crane handle. Thinning scissors — including the HMT, HMT30, HMY19, and PO Thinner — are on the Jonetsu brand page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Jonetsu scissors made and where can I buy them?
Each Jonetsu product page lists Japan as country of manufacture. The brand is distributed in the USA through several professional retailers including Scissor Dude, Tricut, Shear Integrity, SalonCentric, and Begley Schmit. For the most current stock and pricing, consult a retailer directly.
What is the Arc Series in the Jonetsu range?
The Arc Series is a product family covering several Jonetsu cutting models, including the HMS, HMB, HME, and HMD, and it marks the mid-to-premium models in the cutting range apart from the entry models. The HMD product page names the handle on this line the crane Arc Ergo Offset — a specific handle designation within the Arc Series. For full Arc Series specifications and the differences between each model in the line, consult the product pages or an authorized retailer.
What is the crane handle on the Jonetsu HM and HMD?
Both the HM and HMD carry a crane handle configuration. A crane handle positions the finger ring lower than the thumb ring, creating a downward-angled profile when the scissor is held. This lowers the elbow during the cutting stroke, which can reduce shoulder and arm fatigue when cutting at a raised position over an extended working session. The HMD’s handle is specifically named the crane Arc Ergo Offset, an Arc Series handle designation. The HM is offered in 5.0 to 6.0 inch; the HMD in 6.0 to 7.0 inch.
What does flat thumb-screw tension mean on the Jonetsu HMB?
The HMB product page lists a flat thumb-screw tension system — a flat-head screw at the pivot that controls the resistance between the blades. A flat thumb-screw is turned with the thumb directly rather than with a coin or tool, so blade tension can be adjusted chair-side during the working session. The HMB pairs it with an Arc Series Cobalt Alloy blade and a light offset handle in 5.5, 6.0, and 6.5 inch.
Does Jonetsu make thinning scissors?
Yes. Jonetsu makes thinning and texturizing scissors including the HMT, HMT30, HMY19, PO Thinner, and Twist Thinner. This roundup covers cutting scissors only. The full thinning range is on the Jonetsu brand page.