The Best Jonetsu Scissors for Hairdressers
Jonetsu is a Japanese scissor brand distributed in the USA through multiple professional retailers. The cutting range uses Japanese Steel, 440C, ATS-314, Cobalt Alloy, and Damascus steel across offset and crane handle configurations. Several models carry the Arc Series designation — a documented product family that includes the HMS, HMB, HME, and HMD — with the HMD specifically documented 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 document Japan as country of manufacture. 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
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 | Unknown | ATS-314 | Unknown | Cobalt Alloy | Damascus |
| Made in | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan |
| Handle | Offset | Crane | Offset | Offset | Crane |
| Blade type | — | — | — | — | — |
| 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 |
| 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 spans Japanese Steel at entry through 440C, ATS-314, Cobalt Alloy, and Damascus, across offset and crane handle types. Several mid-to-premium models carry the Arc Series designation — a named product family that includes the HMS (Japanese Steel, 5 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 from entry Japanese Steel through to Damascus, and both handle configurations. All five document Japan as country of manufacture.
The five picks
1. Jonetsu JP (guide price around $250). Jonetsu’s entry Japanese Steel scissor. Japanese Steel, offset handle, removable finger rest, convex edge. Available in 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0 inch — three salon lengths. The JP is the entry point into the Jonetsu range: Japanese Steel in three standard lengths with an offset handle and removable finger rest documented on the product page. The most accessible price in this list. Available through Scissor Dude and Tricut.
2. Jonetsu HM (around $495). Jonetsu’s ATS-314 crane handle scissor with mirror finish. ATS-314 steel, crane handle, convex edge, mirror finish. Available in 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0 inch — three sizes. The HM is the crane handle pick at the ATS-314 tier: the product page documents a crane handle — which positions the finger ring lower than the thumb ring to reduce elbow elevation during cutting — with an ATS-314 blade and a mirror finish. The 5.0 to 6.0 inch range covers detail and fringe lengths through standard salon length. Available through Tricut and Scissor Dude.
3. Jonetsu Arc HMS (around $575). Jonetsu’s Arc Series Japanese Steel scissor with the widest size run. Japanese Steel, Arc Series, offset handle. Available in 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0 inch — the widest size run on this page, covering close detail work at 5.0 inch through scissor-over-comb and barber lengths at 7.0 inch. The HMS is the Arc Series Japanese Steel pick and the range choice: five sizes at one price point for stylists who want to choose a precise length across the full salon-to-barber span. Available through Scissor Dude, Tricut, and Shear Integrity.
4. Jonetsu Arc HMB (around $595). Jonetsu’s Arc Series Cobalt Alloy offset scissor. Cobalt Alloy steel, Arc Series, light offset handle, flat thumb-screw tension. Available in 5.5, 6.0, and 6.5 inch — three sizes. The HMB is the Cobalt Alloy offset pick in the Arc Series: the product page documents Arc Series Cobalt Alloy steel with a light offset handle and flat thumb-screw tension — a pivot adjustment operated with the thumb without tools. For stylists wanting the Cobalt Alloy step at an offset handle in the three core salon lengths. Available through Tricut.
5. Jonetsu Arc HMD (around $595). Jonetsu’s Arc Series Damascus scissor on the crane Arc Ergo Offset handle. Damascus steel, Arc Series, crane Arc Ergo Offset handle, mirror finish. Available in 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0 inch — three longer sizes suited to panel cutting, scissor-over-comb, and barber work. The HMD is the Damascus pick on this list: the product page documents a Damascus blade with a mirror polish and the crane Arc Ergo Offset handle — the Arc Series crane handle designation. The 6.0 to 7.0 inch size run covers the longer cutting lengths where the crane geometry is most commonly used. Available through Scissor Dude.
How we chose
All five picks document Japan as country of manufacture. The five cover five steel grades (Japanese Steel, ATS-314, Cobalt Alloy, Damascus — across entry and Arc Series tiers), two handle configurations (offset and crane), and a $250 to $595 price range. The HM and HMD are both crane picks, differentiated by steel (ATS-314 vs Damascus) and size range (5.0–6.0 vs 6.0–7.0 inch). The HMS is the size-range pick 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, as alternatives to the HM at offset rather than crane. Thinning scissors — including the HMT, HMT30, HMY19, and PO Thinner — are on the Jonetsu brand page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Jonetsu scissors document Japan as country of manufacture on each product page. 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.
The Arc Series is documented on several Jonetsu cutting models including the HMS, HMB, HME, and HMD. The Arc Series designation distinguishes the mid-to-premium models in the Jonetsu cutting range from the entry models. The HMD product page describes the handle on this line as the crane Arc Ergo Offset — a specific handle name 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.
The HM and HMD both document 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 documented as 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.
The HMB product page documents a flat thumb-screw tension system — a tension adjustment mechanism where a flat-head screw at the pivot controls the resistance between the blades. A flat thumb-screw is turned with the thumb directly rather than with a coin or tool, allowing blade tension to be adjusted chair-side during the working session. The HMB uses this alongside an Arc Series Cobalt Alloy blade and a light offset handle in 5.5, 6.0, and 6.5 inch.
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.