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 $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 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 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.
Verified Jun 2026
The picks, at a glance
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Product photos from the ScissorPedia catalogue; see each product page for provenance.
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 | 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 |
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 comes in 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 up to ATS-314 in three sizes from 5.5 to 6.5 inch.
The five picks below span $139 to $499: 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: 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.
2. JW Cobalt Force CF2 (around $269). The crane offset pick in the Cobalt Force series: a lightweight VG-10 build aimed at precision cutting work. The crane offset drops the finger ring relative to the thumb ring, easing elbow elevation through the cutting stroke. Two sizes, 5.5 and 6.0 inch. Available through SalonCentric and Tricut.
3. JW Cobalt Force CF4 (around $319). The swivel thumb pick: same VG-10 cobalt steel as the other Cobalt Force models, with a thumb ring that rotates through the cutting stroke to ease wrist strain during wet and dry cutting. Two sizes, 5.5 and 6.0 inch. The swivel mechanism is the whole story here.
4. JW Cobalt Force CF5 (around $349). 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 $269 and $349.
5. JW Shears NRX (around $499). 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.
How we chose
All five are made in the USA. 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 split 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 added. The JW Shears X (around $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 $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
Where 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 $269 to $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 product page lists a swivel thumb design intended to reduce wrist strain during wet and dry cutting. A swivel thumb lets the thumb ring rotate through the cutting stroke rather than staying 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.
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. 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.
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.