The Best Naruto Scissors for Hairdressers
Naruto is a Japanese scissor manufacturer founded in 1963 in Takarazuka, Hyogo. Every scissor in the range uses Cobalt Alloy steel, and the brand describes its pairs as built to last 20 to 30 years. Naruto's size increments are non-standard across much of the range: 5.6, 5.7, 5.9, 6.1, 6.3, 6.4, and 6.8 inch lengths sit alongside the half-inch steps most makers use, so a stylist can get a closer fit. The range is structured by line: Forte and Maticline at entry and mid-price, the Vista tier above, and the New HibonZ line at the top with disk bearing systems. Five picks span $400 to $1,600, all made in Takarazuka.
What are the best Naruto scissors for professional hairdressers?
The GilvyZ Karakusa, around $400, is Naruto's entry Cobalt Alloy scissor with a traditional karakusa vine-scroll engraved handle, available in 5.5 and 6.0 inch. The Hosomi SE, around $773, is the straight-handle model with a clam-shaped blade and fine tip suited to precise detail work, in 6.0 inch. The Crab Vista, around $950, is the Vista tier straight-handle model in four sizes from 5.7 to 6.4 inch. The Megane ST, around $987, puts a symmetric eyeglass handle on a clam-shaped blade in 5.6 and 6.3 inch. The Matic DS, around $1,600, is the New HibonZ dry cutting specialist with bamboo-tapered blades and disk bearing tension in three sizes.
All five are made in Takarazuka, Japan, and all five use Cobalt Alloy steel. The GilvyZ Karakusa is the only pick with standard 5.5 and 6.0 inch sizes and a decoratively engraved handle. The Hosomi SE and Megane ST both carry a clam-shaped (hamaguri) blade: straight handle on the Hosomi SE, symmetric eyeglass handle on the Megane ST. The Crab Vista is the Vista tier pick with the widest fractional size run on this page. The Matic DS is the New HibonZ dry cutting specialist, the only pick with a bamboo-tapered blade and disk bearing tension system.
Verified Jun 2026
Five Naruto picks from $400 to $1,600
| Attribute | Naruto GilvyZ Karakusa Naruto | Naruto Hosomi SE Naruto | Naruto Crab Vista M G Naruto | Naruto Megane ST Naruto | Naruto Matic DS Naruto |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price guide | US$400 | US$773 | US$950 | US$987 | US$1,600 |
| Price tier | Premium | Premium | Luxury | Luxury | Luxury |
| Steel | Cobalt Alloy | Cobalt Alloy | Cobalt Alloy | Cobalt Alloy | Cobalt Alloy |
| Made in | Japan (Takarazuka) | Japan (Takarazuka) | Japan (Takarazuka) | Japan (Takarazuka) | Japan (Takarazuka) |
| Handle | Offset | Straight | Straight | Symmetric | Offset |
| Blade type | Convex | Not listed | Convex | Not listed | Not listed |
| Sizes (in) | 5.5· 6.0 | 6.0 | 5.7· 5.9· 6.1· 6.4 | 5.6· 6.3 | 5.8· 6.0· 6.3 |
| Product links | View product | View product | View product | View product | View product |
All five made in Takarazuka, Japan with Cobalt Alloy steel. Guide prices from product pages; sizes and prices vary within series. Confirm current figures on each product page.
Naruto’s Takarazuka Cobalt Alloy range
Naruto is a Japanese scissor manufacturer founded in 1963 in Takarazuka, Hyogo. Cobalt Alloy steel runs throughout the range, and the brand’s own material describes its scissors as built to last 20 to 30 years. The size increments are non-standard across much of the range: fractional lengths like 5.6, 5.7, 5.9, 6.1, 6.3, 6.4, and 6.8 inch sit alongside the standard half-inch sizes, allowing a closer blade-length fit than half-inch steps alone. The range climbs from the Forte entry line through the Vista tier to the New HibonZ top line, which adds a disk bearing tension system.
The five picks below span $400 to $1,600. They cover the entry engraved offset, two straight and symmetric clam-blade models at mid-range, the Vista tier in its widest fractional size run, and the New HibonZ dry cutting specialist.
The five picks
1. Naruto GilvyZ Karakusa (guide price around $400). Naruto’s entry Cobalt Alloy scissor, and the only pick here in the standard 5.5 and 6.0 inch salon lengths. Convex blade, offset handle. The product page notes a traditional karakusa (vine scroll) pattern engraved into the handle, a Japanese decorative craft tradition applied to the scissor body. Made in Takarazuka, Japan. Available through Precision and Scissor Story.
2. Naruto Hosomi SE (around $773). A straight-handle scissor with a clam-shaped (hamaguri) blade and a thin, fine tip, in 6.0 inch only. The product page notes a balanced feel suited to precise work. The straight handle positions finger and thumb rings in an even plane, which suits stylists who prefer a symmetric hand position for detail cutting.
3. Naruto Crab Vista M G (around $950). The Vista tier straight-handle scissor in four fractional sizes: 5.7, 5.9, 6.1, and 6.4 inch, each a separately named model within the Crab Vista M G series. Cobalt Alloy steel, convex blade. The four steps at 0.2-inch intervals (M-I G at 5.7, M-II G at 5.9, M-III G at 6.1, M-VI G at 6.4) let a stylist choose a length between the usual 5.5 and 7.0 inch half-inch steps.
4. Naruto Megane ST (around $987). Naruto’s symmetric eyeglass-handle scissor with a clam-shaped blade and a noted soft cutting feel. The eyeglass handle sets the finger and thumb rings at the same level for an even grip plane. Two non-standard sizes: 5.6 inch (Megane ST II) for detail and fringe work, and 6.3 inch (Megane ST V S) for added length on panel cutting. Available through Precision and Scissor Story.
5. Naruto Matic DS (around $1,600). The New HibonZ dry cutting specialist. Cobalt Alloy steel, bamboo-tapered blades, disk bearing tension system. The bamboo taper narrows the blade progressively from heel to tip, so the lighter tip meets less resistance through the hair on slide and dry cutting strokes. Three sizes: 5.8 inch (DS I), 6.0 inch (DS II, around $1,640), and 6.3 inch (DS III, around $1,690).
How we chose
All five picks are made in Takarazuka, Japan, and all five use Cobalt Alloy steel. The GilvyZ Karakusa is the only pick in standard 5.5 and 6.0 inch sizes and the only model with a decorative engraved handle. The Hosomi SE and Megane ST earn their places on the clam-shaped blade specification, on different handle types: straight and symmetric respectively. The Crab Vista is the Vista tier pick with the widest fractional size run. The Matic DS is the New HibonZ dry cutting specialist and the only pick with a disk bearing tension system. Guide prices move and vary within multi-size series; confirm current figures before buying.
The wider Naruto range
The Naruto Maticline III (around $450) is the third generation of the Maticline offset series: Cobalt Alloy in 5.5 and 6.0 inch, sitting alongside the GilvyZ Karakusa at similar pricing. The Naruto ForteGraver ST (around $500) is the entry straight-handle pick, a 5.5 inch convex scissor for stylists new to the Naruto range. The Naruto Bond Vista BV-I (around $1,070) is a three-size Vista tier model in 5.3, 5.6, and 6.0 inch, the shorter-size Vista alternative for detail and fringe lengths. The Naruto Circline SEIS (around $2,000) is the New HibonZ crane-offset flagship: 6.0 inch, disk bearing, and a crane handle that lowers the elbow for extended cutting sessions, at the top of the Naruto cutting range. Thinning scissors are on the Naruto brand page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Naruto based and how long has it been making scissors?
Naruto Scissors Co., Ltd. is based in Takarazuka, Hyogo, Japan, and was founded in 1963. All scissors in the range are made in Takarazuka. The brand describes its scissors as built to last 20 to 30 years, a statement carried on the brand website. Naruto scissors are available through authorized overseas dealers; for current stock and pricing, consult an authorized retailer.
Why does Naruto use non-standard sizes like 5.6, 5.7, 5.9, and 6.3 inch?
Naruto offers multiple models in fractional length increments, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0, 6.1, 6.3, 6.4, and 6.8 inch, rather than limiting its range to standard half-inch steps. Fractional sizing lets a stylist pick a blade length closer to their natural cutting position when the standard 5.5 or 6.0 inch steps fall between two preferred lengths. Within the Crab Vista M G series, for example, four distinct lengths (5.7, 5.9, 6.1, and 6.4 inch) are each a separate named model.
What is the Vista tier in the Naruto range?
The Vista tier appears on models including the Crab Vista M G and Bee Vista. The product descriptions note that Vista tier carries Naruto craftsmanship without the advanced bearing systems of the higher New HibonZ line. The New HibonZ line, which includes the Matic DS and Circline SEIS, adds a disk bearing tension system alongside bamboo-tapered or crane-offset blade designs. For a full breakdown of tier distinctions, consult the Naruto brand website or an authorized dealer.
What is the bamboo-tapered blade on the Naruto Matic DS?
The Matic DS product page lists bamboo-tapered blades as part of the New HibonZ series. A bamboo taper is a blade whose width narrows progressively from heel to tip, like the tapering profile of a bamboo stalk. The result is a lighter tip that reduces resistance through the hair during slide and dry cutting strokes. The Matic DS also carries the disk bearing tension system specified for the New HibonZ line. For full technical details on the blade and bearing design, consult the product page or the Naruto brand website.
Does Naruto make thinning scissors?
Yes. Naruto makes thinning scissors including the 2-Suki Lamune (27-tooth), 3-Suki Trente (26-tooth), and 2-Suki Hennessy Halfline (31-tooth). This roundup covers cutting scissors only. The full thinning range is on the Naruto brand page.