The Best Juntetsu Scissors for Hairdressers
Juntetsu is a Japanese professional scissor brand distributed worldwide. Its current range runs from $249 to $799 USD, spanning VG-10 and cobalt models plus selected scissors handmade in Japan by heritage craftspeople. These five picks cover the Classic II, VG10 Offset, Akane, Cobalt Apex, and angled-blade Sword.
What are the best Juntetsu scissors?
The Classic II is the straightforward VG-10 offset option. The VG10 Offset adds a 3D ergonomic handle and the full 4.5 to 7.0 inch size range. The Akane pairs VG-10 with a rose-gold finish. The Cobalt Apex uses a cobalt-enhanced version of Takefu VG-10 with a 45-degree convex edge. The Sword applies ATS-314 cobalt steel to an angled blade in barbering lengths from 6.0 to 7.0 inches.
The first three picks use standard Takefu VG-10; the Cobalt Apex uses VG-10 Cobalt, while the Sword uses ATS-314 cobalt steel. The hardness progression runs from 58–60 HRC through 60–62 HRC to 62–63 HRC. Juntetsu’s current brand range is $249 to $799 USD, and selected models are handmade in Japan by heritage craftspeople; confirm the exact production details for each model.
Verified Jul 2026
The picks, at a glance
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Product photos from the ScissorPedia catalogue; see each product page for provenance.
Five Juntetsu professional picks
| Attribute | Juntetsu Classic II Hair Cutting Scissors Juntetsu | Juntetsu VG10 Offset Hair Cutting Scissors Juntetsu | Juntetsu Akane Premium Rose Gold Hair Cutting Shears Juntetsu | Juntetsu Cobalt Apex Haircutting Scissor Juntetsu | Juntetsu Sword Professional Hair Cutting Shears Juntetsu |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price guide | US$249 | US$249 | US$249 | US$249 | US$324 |
| Price tier | Mid-range | Mid-range | Mid-range | Mid-range | Mid-range |
| Steel | VG-10 | VG-10 | VG-10 | VG-10 Cobalt | ATS-314 Cobalt |
| Made in | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan |
| Handle | Offset | Offset | Offset | Offset | Offset |
| Blade type | Not listed | Convex | Convex | Convex | Sword |
| Sizes (in) | 5.5· 6.0 | 4.5· 5.0· 5.5· 6.0· 6.5· 7.0 | 5.5· 6.0· 6.5 | 5.5· 6.0· 6.5 | 6.0· 6.5· 7.0 |
| Product links | View product | View product | View product | View product | View product |
Steel, hardness, and model details from product pages. Juntetsu's current brand range is $249–$799 USD; confirm the exact current price for each model.
Juntetsu’s position in the VG-10 market
Juntetsu is a Japanese professional scissor brand supplied through distributors around the world. Its current range runs from $249 to $799 USD. Selected models are handmade in Japan by highly experienced heritage craftspeople, while the wider catalogue covers several professional materials and configurations.
The Juntetsu range is primarily VG-10 — Takefu-sourced across most of the cutting line, with a cobalt-enhanced VG-10 variant (VG-10 Cobalt) in the Cobalt Apex and some thinning models. At the top of the cutting range, the Sword steps to ATS-314 cobalt at 62–63 HRC for stylists who want a harder blade in barbering-length scissors.
The practical progression for a stylist building into Juntetsu: Classic II as a first Juntetsu VG-10 pair, VG10 Offset as the step-up with a 60–62 HRC bracket and wider size range, Cobalt Apex for the cobalt-enhanced edge, and Sword if you work in 6.0 to 7.0 inch lengths with barbering technique. Selected Juntetsu models are handmade in Japan; confirm the production wording for the exact model.
The five picks
1. Juntetsu Classic II. A straightforward VG-10 cutting scissor with Takefu VG-10 at 58–60 HRC, a convex edge, and an offset handle in 5.5 and 6.0 inches. Available through Japan Scissors and the Juntetsu official store.
2. Juntetsu VG10 Offset. The core VG-10 configuration: Takefu VG-10 at 60–62 HRC with a convex edge and a 3D offset ergonomic handle, in the full 4.5 to 7.0 inch size run.
3. Juntetsu Akane. VG-10 cutting performance with a rose-gold PVD titanium coating on the blade face. Convex edge, offset handle, 4.5 to 7.0 inches — for stylists who want the Juntetsu VG-10 grade with colour on the station.
4. Juntetsu Cobalt Apex. The cobalt-enhanced step: Takefu VG-10 Cobalt at 60–62 HRC with a 45-degree convex edge and an ergonomic offset handle.
5. Juntetsu Sword. The hardest steel in this list: ATS-314 cobalt at 62–63 HRC, an angled sword blade, and a Master’s Grip geometry offset handle in 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0 inches. The angled blade is built for scissor-over-comb and detail work at barbering lengths.
How we chose
The five picks cover three steel grades (VG-10, VG-10 Cobalt, ATS-314 Cobalt) and a hardness progression from 58–60 to 62–63 HRC. The Akane and VG10 Offset share the same VG-10 grade; the distinction is the rose-gold coating and size range. Juntetsu’s current brand range is $249 to $799 USD, and buyers should confirm the exact current model price and production details before buying.
Where to buy: all five picks are stocked by Japan Scissors and the Juntetsu official store.
The wider Juntetsu range
Juntetsu’s full cutting range includes Damascus models (Juntetsu Matte Black Damascus), swivel-thumb models, aluminium-cobalt alloy builds (Juntetsu Aero Pro Cobalt), and a matched VG-10 offset set (Juntetsu VG10 Offset Set). The thinning and texturizing range — including the Chomper series — is on the Juntetsu brand page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Takefu VG-10 steel in Juntetsu scissors?
Takefu VG-10 is VG-10 steel produced by Takefu Special Steel, one of Japan’s primary blade-steel manufacturers. VG-10 contains cobalt, chromium, molybdenum, and vanadium. The cobalt and vanadium additions create a fine carbide structure that takes and holds a keen convex edge at 58–62 HRC depending on the processing. Juntetsu specifies Takefu as the source on several product pages — ‘Takefu VG-10’ is the same steel as standard VG-10, the sourcing note confirms the mill. Some Juntetsu models specify VG-10 Cobalt, which is a cobalt-enhanced variant of the same base grade.
What is the difference between Juntetsu's VG-10 and VG-10 Cobalt?
Standard VG-10 already contains cobalt as part of its alloy formula. ‘VG-10 Cobalt’ as used by Juntetsu refers to a version with a higher cobalt content or additional cobalt processing — the Cobalt Apex product page specifies the cobalt enhancement. In the Juntetsu range, VG-10 Cobalt models (Cobalt Apex, some thinning models) sit above standard VG-10 models in both price and published hardness bracket. Confirm the specific grade on the product page before buying.
What is the Juntetsu Sword's angled blade design?
The Sword features a blade angled at the tip rather than running parallel to the handle — a ‘sword blade’ geometry where the cutting edge curves slightly upward toward the point. Juntetsu’s product page describes it as designed for barbering-length work (6.0 to 7.0 inch), where the angled tip aids scissor-over-comb and clipper-over-finger detail cutting. The ATS-314 cobalt steel at 62–63 HRC supports the dry-cutting contexts common in barbering.
Does Juntetsu make thinning and texturizing scissors?
Yes. Juntetsu makes thinning scissors across the VG-10 range (28-tooth, 30-tooth, and 40-tooth models) and a wide range of texturizing scissors including the Chomper, VG10 Chomper, and cobalt texturizing models. See the Juntetsu brand page for the full thinning and texturizing catalogue.