The Best Kokoro Scissors for Hairdressers
Kokoro is a US-based scissor brand operated by Totally Shears, a New Hampshire company that has serviced and reconditioned shears since 1991. The brand acquired the Kokoro line in 2017. The range is built from Japanese steel, with Hitachi 440C on the Silver Series, and vacuum heat treatment plus cryogenic ice-tempering as standard finishing processes. Five picks run from $270 to $400 across cutting and thinning.
What are the best Kokoro scissors?
The Green Series, around $270, is Kokoro's entry cutting shear in vacuum-heat-treated Japanese steel with an offset crane handle, the starting point in the Kokoro range, available at 5.75 inch. The Red Cutting shear, around $350, uses Japanese steel in 5.5 and 6.0 inch with red accent trim, the mid-tier everyday cutting option. The Red Thinner, around $350, is the thinning companion to the Red cutting shear at 6.0 inch. The Silver Series, around $390, steps up to Japanese Hitachi 440C with cryogenic treatment, a low-profile tension knob, and wider-spaced finger rings at 5.75 inch. The Circle Shears, around $400, use Japanese steel with Kokoro's circular handle design in 5.5 and 6.0 inch.
Kokoro’s material specification varies by model. The Green Series and Red models list Japanese steel without a published grade; the Silver Series specifies Japanese Hitachi 440C stainless, cryogenically treated. The cryogenic step is consistent across the brand’s description of its finishing method. The Circle Shears stand apart on handle geometry: the circular profile changes hand positioning compared with a standard finger-ring layout. The Silver Series carries a lifetime warranty claim, so confirm the full terms directly with the brand.
Verified Jun 2026
Five Kokoro picks from $270 to $400
| Attribute | Kokoro Green Series Cutting Scissors Kokoro | Kokoro Red Cutting Shear Kokoro | Kokoro Red Thinner Kokoro | Kokoro Silver Series Cutting Scissors Kokoro | Kokoro Circle Shears Kokoro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price guide | US$270 | US$350 | US$350 | US$390 | US$400 |
| Price tier | Mid-range | Mid-range | Mid-range | Mid-range | Premium |
| Steel | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Japanese Hitachi 440C Stainless Steel (Cryogenically Treated) | Not listed |
| Made in | Japan | USA | USA | Japan | USA |
| Handle | Offset Crane | Not listed | Not listed | Offset | Not listed |
| Blade type | Convex edge | Not listed | Not listed | Convex edge | Not listed |
| Sizes (in) | 5.75 | 5.5· 6.0 | 6.0 | 5.75 | 5.5· 6.0 |
| Product links | View product | View product | View product | View product | View product |
US brand by Totally Shears, New Hampshire. Japanese steel with vacuum heat treatment and cryogenic finishing. Guide prices at time of writing; confirm current figures on each product page.
The Kokoro range
Kokoro is operated by Totally Shears, a New Hampshire company that began in shear servicing and reconditioning in 1991 before acquiring the Kokoro brand in 2017. The line is built around Japanese steel, Hitachi 440C on the Silver Series, with a stated finishing process of vacuum heat treatment and cryogenic ice-tempering.
Think of the range as three tiers by steel specification. The Green Series and Red models list Japanese steel without a published grade. The Silver Series names its alloy: Japanese Hitachi 440C with cryogenic treatment. The Circle Shears sit apart on handle geometry rather than steel, with a circular profile that changes how the hand sits. Thinning and blending models live in the wider catalogue; the Red Thinner is the only thinner currently catalogued here.
The five picks
1. Kokoro Green Series (guide price around $270). The entry point into Kokoro: vacuum-heat-treated Japanese steel, an offset crane handle, and a convex edge at 5.75 inch. It arrives with a leather tri-fold case and finger ring inserts, so the box holds everything a first Kokoro owner needs. Available through Kokoro USA and Precision Shears.
2. Kokoro Red Cutting (around $350). The mid-tier everyday cutter, in Japanese steel with the red accent trim that names the line. Sizes are 5.5 and 6.0 inch, the two most common salon lengths. Sold through Kokoro USA.
3. Kokoro Red Thinner (around $350). The matching thinner for the Red cutting shear: same Japanese steel, same red trim, a thinning blade at 6.0 inch for weight removal. Stylists who buy the Red cutter can add the thinner later without changing feel.
4. Kokoro Silver Series (around $390). The specification leader of the range: Japanese Hitachi 440C stainless, cryogenically treated after vacuum heat processing, at 5.75 inch. A low-profile tension knob and wider-spaced finger rings refine the fit, finger inserts come in the box, and the brand carries a lifetime warranty claim on this model, so confirm the full terms before buying. Available through Kokoro USA, Precision Shears, and Scissor Dude.
5. Kokoro Circle Shears (around $400). The design outlier: Japanese steel in 5.5 and 6.0 inch with Kokoro’s circular handle, a profile that changes hand positioning compared with a standard offset or straight ring layout. Stylists curious about alternative grip geometry start here.
How we chose
Each pick holds a distinct position in the Kokoro catalogue. The Green Series is the entry cutting shear; the Red Cutting and Red Thinner cover mid-tier cutting and thinning at the same price; the Silver Series is the one model that names its steel, Hitachi 440C with cryogenic treatment; and the Circle Shears bring the handle-geometry variant at the top of the range. Guide prices come from retailer listings; confirm current figures before buying.
The wider Kokoro catalogue
Kokoro’s specialties include blunt cutting, dry cutting, razor cutting, texturizing, and blending alongside the standard professional cutting and thinning range. Left-handed models are available. The full current range, including 33-tooth and 40-tooth thinners and a 15-tooth blending shear, is on the Kokoro brand page and at kokoro-usa.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kokoro based?
Kokoro is a US-based brand operated by Totally Shears out of South Acworth, New Hampshire. The company has run shear servicing and reconditioning since 1991 and acquired the Kokoro brand in 2017.
What steel does Kokoro use?
Kokoro uses Japanese steel across the range. The Silver Series specifies Japanese Hitachi 440C stainless, which undergoes cryogenic treatment. The Green Series, Red Cutting, Red Thinner, and Circle Shears list Japanese steel; confirm the specific grade with the retailer or brand if the exact alloy matters for your buying decision.
What is cryogenic treatment in Kokoro scissors?
Kokoro describes its finishing process as vacuum heat treatment followed by cryogenic ice-tempering. The cryogenic step takes the steel to very low temperatures after the initial heat treatment, and the brand states this produces consistent hardness across the blade. The Silver Series is the model where the brand states it most explicitly.
Does Kokoro offer thinning scissors?
Yes. The Red Thinner is the thinning model currently catalogued on ScissorPedia. It pairs with the Red cutting shear in the same design at 6.0 inch. Kokoro’s specialties also include 33-tooth and 40-tooth thinners and a 15-tooth blending shear; check the Kokoro brand page for the full current range.
Where can I buy Kokoro scissors?
Kokoro sells through its own website at kokoro-usa.com and through specialist retailers including Precision Shears and Scissor Dude. The Silver Series and Green Series are available through Precision Shears; all three retailers carry some part of the range. Check each for current stock and pricing.