The Best JW Shears for Hairdressers
JW Shears is a US brand launched in 2024 and based in Canoga Park, California. The cutting range uses Stainless Steel at entry, VG-10 across the Cobalt Force series, and ATS-314 at the top. The Cobalt Force series comes in five configurations — crane offset models, a swivel thumb model, and an offset model, each with its own intended use. Five picks span US$139 to US$499, available through SalonCentric and Tricut.
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What are the best JW Shears for professional hairdressers?
The S4, around US$139, is JW Shears' entry Stainless Steel scissor with a straight handle and removable finger rest in three sizes. The Cobalt Force CF2, around US$269, is the lightweight VG-10 crane offset model in two sizes. The Cobalt Force CF4, around US$319, is the VG-10 swivel-thumb model in two sizes. The Cobalt Force CF5, around US$349, is the VG-10 offset model for slide and texture cutting in two sizes. The NRX, around US$499, is the ATS-314 offset model in three sizes from 5.5 to 6.5 inch.
All five are made in the USA. The S4 is the entry straight-handle Stainless Steel pick. The CF2, CF4, and CF5 are all VG-10 Cobalt Force picks, separated by handle type — crane offset, swivel thumb, and offset respectively. The NRX is the ATS-314 step at the top of this price range. Two stores — SalonCentric and Tricut — carry the brand.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | Pick 1 JW S4 Series JW Shears | Pick 2 JW Cobalt Force CF2 JW Shears | Pick 3 JW Cobalt Force CF4 JW Shears | Pick 4 JW Cobalt Force CF5 JW Shears | Pick 5 JW NRX Series JW Shears |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price band | US$139Price band US$100–200 · Entry-level | US$269Price band US$200–400 · Mid-range | US$319Price band US$200–400 · Mid-range | US$349Price band US$200–400 · Mid-range | US$499Price band US$400–800 · Premium |
| Steel | Not listed | VG-10 | VG-10 | VG-10 | ATS-314 |
| Made in | USA | USA | USA | USA | USA |
| Sizes (in) | 5.0· 5.5· 6.0 | 5.5· 6.0 | 5.5· 6.0 | 5.5· 6.0 | 5.5· 6.0· 6.5 |
| Product links | View product | View product | View product | View product | View product |
Five JW Shears picks from US$139 to US$499
- 1JW Shears
JW S4 Series
- VG-10 Cobalt
- 5.0 · 5.5 · 6.0″
JW Shears’ entry Stainless Steel scissor: convex edge, straight handle, removable finger rest, liquid silver finish, in 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0 inch. A straight handle keeps finger and thumb rings at the same level — the pick for stylists who prefer a symmetric hand position, at the most accessible price on this page. Available through SalonCentric and Tricut.
View JW S4 Series - 2JW Shears
JW Cobalt Force CF2
- VG-10
- 5.5 · 6.0″
The crane offset pick in the Cobalt Force series: a lightweight VG-10 build aimed at precision cutting work. Its shank and rings form a more pronounced angle than the standard offset CF5. Two sizes, 5.5 and 6.0 inch. Available through SalonCentric and Tricut.
View JW Cobalt Force CF2 - 3JW Shears
JW Cobalt Force CF4
- VG-10
- 5.5 · 6.0″
The swivel thumb pick: same VG-10 cobalt steel as the other Cobalt Force models, with a thumb ring that rotates rather than remaining fixed. Two sizes, 5.5 and 6.0 inch. Compare it with the fixed-ring CF2 and CF5 in the same cutting task before selecting the mechanism.
View JW Cobalt Force CF4 - 4JW Shears
JW Cobalt Force CF5
- VG-10
- 5.5 · 6.0″
The offset VG-10 pick, described on the product page as suited to slide and texture cutting techniques. An offset sits the finger ring lower than a straight handle, at a more moderate angle than a full crane. Two sizes, 5.5 and 6.0 inch — completing a Cobalt Force trio that covers crane (CF2), swivel (CF4), and offset (CF5) between US$269 and US$349.
View JW Cobalt Force CF5 - 5JW Shears
JW NRX Series
- ATS-314
- 5.5 · 6.0 · 6.5″
The ATS-314 step above the VG-10 Cobalt Force range: ATS-314 cobalt steel on an offset handle, in 5.5, 6.0, and 6.5 inch — the widest size run at the top tier on this page, reaching from standard salon lengths to a longer panel-cutting length at 6.5.
View JW NRX Series
JW Shears’ Cobalt Force range
JW Shears is a US brand launched in 2024 and based in Canoga Park, California. The cutting range uses Stainless Steel at entry, VG-10 steel across the Cobalt Force series, and ATS-314 at the top tier. The Cobalt Force series comes in five configurations — crane offset models for precision and wet/dry cutting, a swivel-thumb model, and an offset model for slide and texture work. The NRX steps up to ATS-314 in three sizes from 5.5 to 6.5 inch.
The five picks span US$139 to US$499: the entry Stainless Steel pick, three distinct VG-10 Cobalt Force handle configurations, and the ATS-314 top tier.
How we chose
All five are made in the USA. The S4 is the entry Stainless Steel straight-handle pick at US$139. The three Cobalt Force picks — CF2, CF4, and CF5 — are all VG-10 models split by handle type: crane offset, swivel thumb, and standard offset, covering US$269 to US$349. The NRX steps to ATS-314 at US$499. Guide prices move; confirm current figures before buying.
The wider JW Shears range
The JW Shears S2 (around US$159) is the entry offset Stainless Steel model in three sizes from 5.0 to 6.0 inch — the offset alternative to the S4 at the entry tier. The JW Cobalt Force CF1 (around US$279) is the crane offset VG-10 model with a black titanium coating — the crane pick with a surface finish added. The JW Shears X (around US$309) is the engraved offset model in four sizes from 5.25 to 7.0 inch — the widest size run in the JW Shears cutting range. The JW Shears DB2 (around US$619) is the ZA-18 high-carbon steel model with nylon pivot sliders in three non-standard sizes. The JW Shears NTX (around US$799) and JW Shears NSX (around US$999) are the upper ATS-314 models at non-standard quarter-inch sizes. Thinning scissors are on the JW Shears brand page.
Frequently Asked Questions
5 answers you can open one at a timeWhere is JW Shears based and how long has the brand been making scissors?
JW Shears is a USA-based brand launched in 2024 and headquartered in Canoga Park, California. The cutting range is distributed through SalonCentric and Tricut. For the current range and pricing, consult the JW Shears website or an authorised retailer.
What is the Cobalt Force series?
The Cobalt Force series is JW Shears’ VG-10 cutting range, in five configurations: CF1 (crane offset with black titanium coating), CF2 (lightweight crane offset), CF3 (crane offset for wet and dry cutting), CF4 (swivel thumb), and CF5 (offset for slide and texture cutting). Each model carries a different handle configuration, putting VG-10 steel across multiple grip styles at a US$269 to US$349 price range. For full Cobalt Force series specifications, consult the product pages or the JW Shears website.
What is the swivel thumb on the JW Cobalt Force CF4?
The CF4 uses a thumb ring that rotates during the cutting stroke rather than remaining fixed. It pairs that mechanism with VG-10 cobalt steel and comes in 5.5 and 6.0 inch. Compare the exact model with a fixed-ring shear in the same wet and dry tasks before choosing.
What is the crane offset handle on the JW Cobalt Force CF2?
The CF2 product page lists a crane offset handle on a lightweight VG-10 build aimed at precision cutting work. Its shank and rings form a more pronounced angle than the standard offset CF5. The CF2 is available in 5.5 and 6.0 inch; compare the exact models during the same task to assess fit and control.
Does JW Shears make thinning scissors?
Yes. JW Shears makes thinning and blending scissors including the C2 TS27 Thinning, C3 Blending, BLU Blending, TS14 Texturizing, and TS40 Blending. This roundup covers cutting scissors only. The full range is on the JW Shears brand page.