The Best Matsuzaki Scissors for Hairdressers
Matsuzaki is a Japanese scissor manufacturer founded in 1898 by Terukazu Matsuzaki in Tokyo, one of the oldest continuously operating scissor makers in Japan. The company, now trading as Matteck Matsuzaki Co., Ltd., has remained family-run for three generations and produces shears at its factory in Nerima, Tokyo. The range spans thinning shears, standard cutting models, specialist texturizers, and a swivel-thumb ergonomic line. Five picks here cover the key positions from US$400 to US$1,099, all made in Japan.
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What are the best Matsuzaki scissors?
The Fuzzy 5537, around US$400, is Matsuzaki's entry thinning shear—a 37-tooth offset model in 5.5 inch for everyday blending from the Tokyo workshop. The ES, around US$575, is the entry cutting model with a convex edge and offset handle in three sizes from 5.5 to 6.5 inch. The MLDS, around US$785, steps up the cutting range with a refined ergonomic offset handle suited to all-day salon use. The Mantis 77, around US$945, is a premium convex-edge cutting shear from the upper end of the Matsuzaki catalog, available in 5.5 and 6.0 inch. The MWQ Swivel, around US$1,099, puts a rotating thumb ring into a convex-edge cutting shear, the only swivel-thumb build in the cataloged Matsuzaki range.
Matsuzaki’s range does not follow a published alloy hierarchy in the same way as some other Japanese makers; specific steel grades are not documented per model in the retailer catalogs. What runs across the range is in-house manufacture in Tokyo, convex edge construction on the cutting models, and an offset handle as the default geometry from the ES up. The Fuzzy series covers thinning from 37 teeth, and separate models handle texturizing (the J-Rough 1250) and black titanium coating for corrosion resistance. The MWQ Swivel is the only swivel-thumb model currently cataloged. For current steel specifications and full model detail, see the Matsuzaki retailer listings or the official site at matsuzaki.jp.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | Pick 1 Matsuzaki Fuzzy 5537 Thinning Shears Matsuzaki | Pick 2 Matsuzaki ES Cutting Shears Matsuzaki | Pick 3 Matsuzaki MLDS Cutting Shears Matsuzaki | Pick 4 Matsuzaki Mantis 77 Cut R Cutting Shears Matsuzaki | Pick 5 Matsuzaki MWQ Cutting Swivel Shears Matsuzaki |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price band | US$400Price band US$400–800 · Premium | US$575Price band US$400–800 · Premium | US$785Price band US$400–800 · Premium | US$945Price band US$800+ · Luxury | US$1,099Price band US$800+ · Luxury |
| Steel | Cobalt Alloy | Not listed | Cobalt Alloy | Cobalt Alloy | Cobalt Alloy |
| Made in | Japan (Tokyo) | Japan (Tokyo) | Japan (Tokyo) | Japan (Tokyo) | Japan (Tokyo) |
| Handle | Offset | Offset | Offset | Offset | Swivel |
| Blade type | Thinning (37 teeth) | Convex | Convex | Convex | Convex |
| Sizes (in) | 5.5 | 5.5· 6.0· 6.5 | 5.5· 6.0 | 5.5· 6.0 | 5.5· 6.0 |
| Product links | View product | View product | View product | View product | View product |
Five Matsuzaki picks from US$400 to US$1,099
- 1Matsuzaki
Matsuzaki Fuzzy 5537 Thinning Shears
- Cobalt Alloy
- Offset handle
- Thinning (37 teeth) blade
Matsuzaki’s entry thinning shear — a 37-tooth offset model in 5.5 inch, made in Tokyo. The Fuzzy 5537 is the lowest-priced model in the cataloged Matsuzaki range and the starting point for stylists who want a Matsuzaki thinning shear for everyday blending and volume control. Available through Stay Sharp Shears and specialist Matsuzaki stockists. A color-coated variant, the Matsuzaki Color Fuzzy 5537, sits at around US$560 in the same 37-tooth configuration.
View Matsuzaki Fuzzy 5537 Thinning Shears - 2Matsuzaki
Matsuzaki ES Cutting Shears
- High Grade Stainless Steel
- Offset handle
- Convex blade
Matsuzaki’s entry cutting model, with a convex edge and offset handle in 5.5, 6.0, and 6.5 inch. The ES is the widest size run of any Matsuzaki cutting model in the catalog and the practical starting point for stylists moving into the Japanese professional cutting range. Made in Tokyo. Available through Stay Sharp Shears and specialist Matsuzaki stockists.
View Matsuzaki ES Cutting Shears - 3Matsuzaki
Matsuzaki MLDS Cutting Shears
- Cobalt Alloy
- Offset handle
- Convex blade
Matsuzaki’s ergonomic offset cutting shear in 5.5 and 6.0 inch, built for all-day salon use. The MLDS sits mid-range in the Matsuzaki cutting catalog, with a refined offset handle geometry and a convex edge. For stylists who want a step up from the ES in handle comfort for extended use. Made in Tokyo. Available through Stay Sharp Shears and specialist Matsuzaki stockists.
View Matsuzaki MLDS Cutting Shears - 4Matsuzaki
Matsuzaki Mantis 77 Cut R Cutting Shears
- Cobalt Alloy
- Offset handle
- Convex blade
Matsuzaki’s upper-range cutting shear in 5.5 and 6.0 inch, with a convex edge and offset handle. The Mantis 77 sits above the EDS and MLDS in the Matsuzaki cutting hierarchy, carrying a premium convex edge from the Tokyo workshop. Suited to stylists who want the top of the Matsuzaki professional cutting range at a guide price below four figures. Available through Stay Sharp Shears and specialist Matsuzaki stockists.
View Matsuzaki Mantis 77 Cut R Cutting Shears - 5Matsuzaki
Matsuzaki MWQ Cutting Swivel Shears
- Cobalt Alloy
- Swivel handle
- Convex blade
Matsuzaki’s rotating-thumb cutting shear in 5.5 and 6.0 inch. The MWQ puts a swivel thumb ring into a convex-edge offset shear; the ring turns on its own pivot rather than staying fixed to the frame. The only swivel model in the cataloged Matsuzaki range. The swivel mechanism sits in the thumb ring rather than the blade pivot. Available through Stay Sharp Shears and specialist Matsuzaki stockists.
View Matsuzaki MWQ Cutting Swivel Shears
Shortlist route
Five Matsuzaki positions, compared without lookalike product art.
Use the task map and written product records while exact-model photography is incomplete; missing imagery remains visibly unresolved.
TASK → MODEL → TRIAL
- 01 Start with task Define the work before reading a model label.
- 02 Compare fields Keep fit, geometry, source, and price separate.
- 03 Check evidence A missing photo is not replaced by a lookalike.
- 04 Trial exact Use the correct handed model within return terms.
Five positions in the shortlist
Evidence boundaryA neutral visual can explain the shortlist; named products use exact-model photography when available.
Matsuzaki scissors
Matsuzaki was founded in 1898 by Terukazu Matsuzaki in Tokyo. The company — now Matteck Matsuzaki Co., Ltd. — started in medical and surgical instruments and has remained in the founding family across three generations. All production sits in-house at its head office and factory in Nerima-ku, Tokyo.
The range covers cutting shears, thinning shears, texturizers, and specialist ergonomic models. The 12 cataloged models carry guide prices from US$400 to US$3,825; most working-professional models sit between US$400 and US$1,099. The five picks cover each main position in that practical range.
How we chose
Each pick represents a distinct position in the Matsuzaki working-professional range. The Fuzzy 5537 covers thinning; the ES covers the entry cutting tier in the widest size run; the MLDS steps up the ergonomic profile for all-day use; the Mantis 77 reaches the upper end of the standard cutting range; and the MWQ Swivel addresses the specialist ergonomic case for wrist management. Guide prices move; confirm current figures before buying.
The wider Matsuzaki catalog
The Matsuzaki EDS (around US$799) and Matsuzaki SLB (around US$799) offer alternative convex-edge offset cutting models at a similar price to the MLDS — the SLB with a slim blade profile suited to slide and point cutting work. The Matsuzaki Black Titanium (around US$1,050) adds a black titanium coating to a convex offset shear for corrosion resistance. The Matsuzaki J-Rough 1250 (around US$880) is the dedicated texturizer with wide-set teeth for heavy debulking. The full range, including the Matsuzaki Venus at the very top, is covered on the Matsuzaki brand page.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 answers you can open one at a timeWhere are Matsuzaki scissors made?
Matsuzaki shears are made in Japan. The company’s head office and factory are in Nerima-ku, Tokyo. Matteck Matsuzaki Co., Ltd. has maintained in-house production since founding in 1898.
How long has Matsuzaki been making scissors?
Matsuzaki was founded in 1898 (Meiji 31) by Terukazu Matsuzaki in Tokyo. The company began in medical and surgical instruments before moving into hairdressing shears. Three generations of the founding family have run the business, and it has operated continuously for over 125 years.
What is the Matsuzaki MWQ Swivel?
The MWQ Swivel is Matsuzaki’s rotating-thumb cutting shear. The thumb ring rotates independently of the blade pivot rather than staying fixed to the frame. Available in 5.5 and 6.0 inch at a guide price around US$1,099, through Stay Sharp Shears.
What is the Matsuzaki Fuzzy 5537?
The Fuzzy 5537 is Matsuzaki’s entry thinning shear — a 37-tooth offset model in 5.5 inch, listed at around US$400. The Color Fuzzy 5537 is a color-coated variant at around US$560, carrying the same tooth configuration and handle geometry in an upgraded finish.