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 is documented in five configurations — crane offset models, a swivel thumb model, and an offset model each with distinct documented uses. Five picks span $139 to $499, available through SalonCentric and Tricut.
What are the best JW Shears for professional hairdressers?
The S4, around $139, is JW Shears' entry Stainless Steel scissor with a straight handle and removable finger rest in three sizes. The Cobalt Force CF2, around $269, is the lightweight VG-10 crane offset model in two sizes. The Cobalt Force CF4, around $319, is the VG-10 swivel thumb model for reducing wrist strain in two sizes. The Cobalt Force CF5, around $349, is the VG-10 offset model documented for slide and texture cutting in two sizes. The NRX, around $499, is the ATS-314 offset model in three sizes from 5.5 to 6.5 inch.
All five document the USA as country of manufacture. The S4 is the entry straight-handle Stainless Steel pick. The CF2, CF4, and CF5 are all VG-10 Cobalt Force picks, differentiated 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.
Verified Jun 2026
Five JW Shears picks from $139 to $499
| Attribute | JW S4 Series JW Shears | JW Cobalt Force CF2 JW Shears | JW Cobalt Force CF4 JW Shears | JW Cobalt Force CF5 JW Shears | JW NRX Series JW Shears |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price guide | US$139 | US$269 | US$319 | US$349 | US$499 |
| Price tier | Entry-level | Mid-range | Mid-range | Mid-range | Premium |
| Steel | Unknown | VG-10 | VG-10 | VG-10 | ATS-314 |
| Made in | USA | USA | USA | USA | USA |
| Handle | — | — | — | — | — |
| Blade type | — | — | — | — | — |
| 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 |
| View product | View product | View product | View product | View product |
All five made in the USA. Steel grades from product pages. Guide prices at time of writing; confirm current figures on each product page.
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 documents five configurations — crane offset models for precision and wet/dry cutting, a swivel thumb model for wrist-strain reduction, and an offset model for slide and texture work. The NRX steps to ATS-314 in three sizes from 5.5 to 6.5 inch.
The five picks below span $139 to $499, covering the entry Stainless Steel pick, three distinct VG-10 Cobalt Force handle configurations, and the ATS-314 top tier.
The five picks
1. JW Shears S4 (guide price around $139). JW Shears’ entry Stainless Steel scissor with a straight handle. Stainless Steel, convex edge, straight handle, removable finger rest, liquid silver finish. Available in 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0 inch — three sizes. The S4 is the entry point into the JW Shears cutting range: Stainless Steel with a straight handle and a removable finger rest, in three standard lengths. A straight handle positions finger and thumb rings at the same level, suited to stylists who prefer a symmetric hand position. The most accessible price in this list. Available through SalonCentric and Tricut.
2. JW Cobalt Force CF2 (around $269). JW Shears’ lightweight VG-10 crane offset scissor. VG-10 cobalt steel, crane offset handle, lightweight build. Available in 5.5 and 6.0 inch — two standard salon lengths. The CF2 is the crane offset pick in the Cobalt Force series: the product page documents a lightweight VG-10 build on a crane offset handle aimed at precision cutting work. A crane offset lowers the finger ring relative to the thumb ring, reducing elbow elevation during the cutting stroke. Available through SalonCentric and Tricut.
3. JW Cobalt Force CF4 (around $319). JW Shears’ VG-10 swivel thumb scissor. VG-10 cobalt steel, swivel thumb. Available in 5.5 and 6.0 inch — two standard salon lengths. The CF4 is the swivel thumb pick in the Cobalt Force series: the product page documents a swivel thumb designed to ease wrist strain during wet and dry cutting, allowing the thumb ring to rotate through the cutting stroke. The CF4 uses the same VG-10 steel as the other Cobalt Force picks, with the swivel mechanism as the differentiating feature. Available through SalonCentric and Tricut.
4. JW Cobalt Force CF5 (around $349). JW Shears’ VG-10 offset scissor for slide and texture cutting. VG-10 cobalt steel, offset handle. Available in 5.5 and 6.0 inch — two standard salon lengths. The CF5 is the offset VG-10 pick in the Cobalt Force series: the product page describes it as suited to slide and texture cutting techniques on an offset handle. The offset positions the finger ring lower than a straight handle, with a more moderate angle than a full crane. Three Cobalt Force picks in this list cover three handle types — crane (CF2), swivel (CF4), and offset (CF5) — all in VG-10 steel at a $269 to $349 range. Available through SalonCentric and Tricut.
5. JW Shears NRX (around $499). JW Shears’ ATS-314 offset scissor in three sizes. ATS-314 cobalt steel, offset handle. Available in 5.5, 6.0, and 6.5 inch — three sizes, the widest size run at the top tier in this list. The NRX is the ATS-314 pick: the product page documents ATS-314 cobalt steel and an offset handle, at $499 — the step up from the VG-10 Cobalt Force range. The three sizes cover standard salon lengths through a longer panel-cutting length at 6.5 inch. Available through SalonCentric and Tricut.
How we chose
All five picks document the USA as country of manufacture. The S4 is the entry Stainless Steel straight-handle pick at $139. The three Cobalt Force picks — CF2, CF4, and CF5 — are all VG-10 models differentiated by handle type: crane offset, swivel thumb, and standard offset, covering $269 to $349. The NRX steps to ATS-314 at $499. Guide prices move; confirm current figures before buying.
The wider JW Shears range
The JW Shears S2 (around $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 $279) is the crane offset VG-10 model with a black titanium coating — the crane pick with a surface finish addition. The JW Shears X (around $309) is the engraved offset model in four sizes 5.25 to 7.0 inch — the widest size run in the JW Shears cutting range. The JW Shears DB2 (around $619) is the ZA-18 high-carbon steel model with nylon pivot sliders in three non-standard sizes. The JW Shears NTX (around $799) and JW Shears NSX (around $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
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.
The Cobalt Force series is JW Shears’ VG-10 cutting range. The series is documented 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 documents a different handle configuration, giving VG-10 steel across multiple grip styles at a $269 to $349 price range. For full Cobalt Force series specifications, consult the product pages or the JW Shears website.
The CF4 product page documents a swivel thumb design intended to reduce wrist strain during wet and dry cutting. A swivel thumb allows the thumb ring to rotate through the cutting stroke rather than remaining fixed — reducing the rotation required at the wrist and thumb joint over an extended working session. The CF4 uses VG-10 cobalt steel and is available in 5.5 and 6.0 inch.
The CF2 product page documents a crane offset handle on a lightweight VG-10 build, aimed at precision cutting work. A crane offset 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 a long working session. The CF2 is available in 5.5 and 6.0 inch.
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.