The Best NOVA Scissors for Hairdressers
NOVA is a Japanese professional shear line produced by UTSUMI Corporation at the company's Settsu City facility in Osaka. The range uses AUS-8 Japanese steel throughout and covers a wide spread of lengths, from 5.5 inch salon models to 8.5 inch extended-length shears. Four picks here span $120 to $150, covering the main cutting models in the catalogue.
What are the best NOVA scissors?
The NOVA 55, around $120, is the core short-length model — AUS-8 Japanese steel, offset handle, convex blade, available in 5.5 and 6.0 inch. The NOVA HB, around $130, introduces an anatomical offset handle across five sizes from 5.0 to 7.0 inch — the widest size run in the NOVA cutting line. The NOVA HC, around $130, is the standard offset model in the same five-size run as the HB, in the same AUS-8 steel. The NOVA Slim L, around $150, is the extended-length model at 7.5 and 8.5 inch with a slim offset handle for long-hair cutting passes.
All four models use AUS-8 Japanese steel and are made in Japan by UTSUMI Corporation. AUS-8 is a Japanese stainless alloy that sits below ATS-314 and cobalt grades in the professional shear hierarchy but above entry stainless — a solid working steel for everyday salon use. The practical distinction between the HB and HC is the handle: the HB specifies an anatomical offset handle, while the HC uses a standard offset. Both share the same steel, convex blade, and five-size run from 5.0 to 7.0 inch. The Slim L’s extended 7.5 and 8.5 inch lengths are suited to long-hair cutting techniques where a standard-length blade requires frequent repositioning. The NOVA 55 model name refers to 5.5 inch but also covers the 6.0 inch variant. NOVA is available in the US through Utsumi America.
Verified Jun 2026
Four NOVA picks from $120 to $150
| Attribute | NOVA 55 Professional Cutting Scissors NOVA | NOVA HB Professional Cutting Scissors NOVA | NOVA HC Professional Cutting Scissors NOVA | NOVA Slim L Professional Cutting Scissors NOVA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price guide | US$120 | US$130 | US$130 | US$150 |
| Price tier | Entry-level | Entry-level | Entry-level | Entry-level |
| Steel | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Made in | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan |
| Handle | Offset | Offset | Offset | Offset |
| Blade type | Convex | Convex | Convex | Convex |
| Sizes (in) | 5.5 · 6.0 | 5.0 · 5.5 · 6.0 · 6.5 · 7.0 | 5.0 · 5.5 · 6.0 · 6.5 · 7.0 | 7.5 · 8.5 |
| View product | View product | View product | View product |
All four made in Japan from AUS-8 steel by UTSUMI Corporation. Guide prices at time of writing; confirm current figures on each product page.
The NOVA range
NOVA is one of UTSUMI Corporation’s professional shear lines, produced at the company’s facility in Settsu City, Osaka. The range uses AUS-8 Japanese steel throughout and the blades are made in Japan. UTSUMI describes the production method as Chaku-ko fire forging.
The NOVA line covers a wide spread of sizes — from the 5.5-inch core models through an extended five-size run (5.0 to 7.0 inch) on the HB and HC families, up to the long Slim L at 7.5 and 8.5 inch. Left-handed variants (NOVA Lefty, NOVA HCL Lefty) and a set option are also part of the wider catalogue. US distribution is through Utsumi America.
The four picks
1. NOVA 55 (guide price around $120). NOVA’s core short-to-mid model — AUS-8 Japanese steel, offset handle, convex blade, available in 5.5 and 6.0 inch. Made in Japan by UTSUMI Corporation. The 55 is the entry point in the NOVA cutting range and the most compact option in this selection. Available through Utsumi America.
2. NOVA HB (around $130). NOVA’s anatomical offset model — AUS-8 Japanese steel, convex blade, available in 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0 inch. Made in Japan. The anatomical offset handle is the distinguishing feature: it positions the hand differently from a standard offset. The HB offers the widest size run in the NOVA cutting line. Available through Utsumi America.
3. NOVA HC (around $130). NOVA’s standard offset model in the five-size run — AUS-8 Japanese steel, convex blade, available in 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0 inch. Made in Japan. The HC shares the same steel, blade, and size range as the HB with a standard rather than anatomical offset handle. Suited to stylists who want the full NOVA size run in a conventional offset geometry. Available through Utsumi America.
4. NOVA Slim L (around $150). NOVA’s extended-length model — AUS-8 Japanese steel, slim offset handle, convex blade, available in 7.5 and 8.5 inch. Made in Japan. The longer blade lengths suit long-hair cutting passes, overdirection, and point cutting with extended reach. The slim handle keeps weight manageable at these lengths. Available through Utsumi America.
How we chose
The four picks cover the main individual cutting models in the NOVA catalogue with confirmed price data: the core short-length model (NOVA 55), the anatomical offset five-size model (HB), the standard offset five-size model (HC), and the extended-length model (Slim L). Guide prices move; confirm current figures before buying.
The wider NOVA catalogue
The NOVA range also includes dedicated left-handed models (NOVA Lefty, NOVA HCL Lefty) and a left-handed set. For the complete current listing, see the NOVA brand page on ScissorPedia or browse the collections at Utsumi America.
Frequently Asked Questions
NOVA shears are made from AUS-8 Japanese steel throughout the cutting range. AUS-8 is a Japanese stainless alloy used in professional shear production, positioned as a working steel above entry grades. UTSUMI Corporation describes its production method for NOVA blades as Chaku-ko fire forging.
NOVA scissors are made in Japan by UTSUMI Corporation, which is based in Settsu City, Osaka. NOVA is one of several shear lines produced by Utsumi, alongside Jyo and U&U.
Both the HB and HC use AUS-8 Japanese steel with a convex blade and are available across the same five sizes from 5.0 to 7.0 inch. The documented difference is the handle: the HB has an anatomical offset handle, while the HC uses a standard offset handle. Confirm the exact handle geometry difference with Utsumi America before purchasing.
NOVA scissors are available through Utsumi America in the US. The NOVA collection is at utsumiamerica.com/collections/nova, which is the authoritative source for current models, sizing, and pricing.