The Best Ohka Scissors for Hairdressers
Ohka is a Taiwanese scissor brand founded in 1999 in Taichung, operating under Relee Scissors Company Ltd. The range covers cutting shears, thinning shears, and left-handed models, with guide prices running from US$110 to US$2,420 across the 47 catalogued models. Five picks here cover entry stainless, a black-coated mid-range pair and matching thinner, a VG-10 layered-steel cutter, and the M3 powder-steel flagship — from US$110 to US$1,100.
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What are the best Ohka scissors?
The Elite ND, around US$110, is Ohka's entry cutting shear across a broad 5.0 to 7.0 inch size run — the starting point in the catalogue. The Black Gloss FB, around US$325, is a black-coated stainless cutter in 5.5 and 6.0 inch with a matched thinning partner. The Black Gloss FB Thinning, also around US$325, is the 40-tooth companion to the FB cutter — a 6 inch blade set for approximately 25 percent volume removal. The Flagship FAV, around US$810, is Ohka's VG-10 layered-steel cutter across 5.5 to 7.0 inch, the first point in the range where the steel grade changes from standard stainless. The Flagship NPD, around US$1,100, is the M3 powder-steel cutter at the top of the cutting range — available in 5.75, 6.25, and 6.75 inch.
Ohka’s catalogue has three practical steel tiers: standard stainless across the entry and mid lines, VG-10 layered steel in the Flagship FAV, and M3 powder steel in the Flagship NPD and FPD. The step from stainless to VG-10 is the meaningful upgrade in edge retention within the Ohka range. Thinning shears carry fixed volume-reduction ratings — 25 percent for the Black Gloss FB Thinning, 45 percent for the Kaminari KM Thinning, and higher ratios in the Flagship FVG. Confirm current specifications and pricing on the Ohka website or each product page before buying.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | Pick 1 Ohka Elite ND Ohka | Pick 2 Ohka Black Gloss FB Ohka | Pick 3 Ohka Black Gloss FB (40UB) Ohka | Pick 4 Ohka Flagship FAV Ohka | Pick 5 Ohka Flagship NPD Ohka |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price band | US$110Price band US$100–200 · Entry-level | US$325Price band US$200–400 · Mid-range | US$325Price band US$200–400 · Mid-range | US$810Price band US$800+ · Luxury | US$1,100Price band US$800+ · Luxury |
| Steel | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | VG-10 | Not listed |
| Made in | Taiwan | Taiwan | Taiwan | Taiwan | Taiwan |
| Sizes (in) | 5.0· 5.5· 6.0· 6.5· 7.0 | 5.5· 6.0 | 6.0 | 5.5· 6.0· 6.5· 7.0 | 5.75· 6.25· 6.75 |
| Product links | View product | View product | View product | View product | View product |
Five Ohka picks from US$110 to US$1,100
- 1Ohka
Ohka Elite ND
- Unknown
- 5.0 · 5.5 · 6.0 · 6.5 · 7.0″
Ohka’s entry cutting shear in stainless steel, available across five sizes from 5.0 to 7.0 inch. The Elite ND is the widest size run at the bottom of the Ohka cutting catalogue — the point to start for a stylist who wants a Taiwanese handmade shear at the lowest entry price. A matched thinning version, the Elite ND Thinning, is also available at the same guide price. Available direct through Ohka Scissors.
View Ohka Elite ND - 2Ohka
Ohka Black Gloss FB
- Unknown
- 5.5 · 6.0″
Ohka’s mid-range stainless cutter with a black finish, in 5.5 and 6.0 inch. The Black Gloss FB sits at the centre of the stainless cutting range in price — a step above the Sunrise and Stegosaurus lines and below the Kaminari. The black coating distinguishes it from the bare-steel finishes in the entry and lower-mid tiers. A matched thinning version is available at the same guide price. Available through Ohka Scissors.
View Ohka Black Gloss FB - 3Ohka
Ohka Black Gloss FB (40UB)
- Unknown
- 6.0″
Ohka’s 40-tooth thinning companion to the Black Gloss FB cutter — a 6 inch blade set for approximately 25 percent volume removal, with the same black gloss finish. The 25 percent rating sits between Ohka’s lighter thinning entry models and the higher-removal Kaminari KM Thinning. Suited to stylists who want bulk-removal control without the heavier reduction of a 45 percent blade. Available through Ohka Scissors.
View Ohka Black Gloss FB (40UB) - 4Ohka
Ohka Flagship FAV
- VG-10
- 5.5 · 6.0 · 6.5 · 7.0″
Ohka’s VG-10 layered-steel cutter across 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0 inch. The Flagship FAV is the first model in the Ohka range where the steel grade steps from standard stainless to VG-10 — a layered steel that holds an edge longer between sharpenings. Available in the widest size run of the Flagship cutting line. The Flagship FPD, a powder-steel thinning companion, is listed separately. Available through Ohka Scissors.
View Ohka Flagship FAV - 5Ohka
Ohka Flagship NPD
- M3 Powder Steel
- 5.75 · 6.25 · 6.75″
Ohka’s M3 powder-steel cutter — the top of the Ohka cutting range, available in 5.75, 6.25, and 6.75 inch. M3 powder steel is a sintered grade produced with a fine, uniform carbide structure for greater hardness and edge retention than conventional stainless or VG-10. The Flagship NPD is the highest-specification cutting shear in the Ohka catalogue by steel grade. Suited to stylists who want maximum edge performance from a Taiwanese handmade shear and whose sharpener has experience with powder steel grades. Available through Ohka Scissors.
View Ohka Flagship NPD
Ohka: a Taiwanese catalogue with a wide price range
Ohka has handmade scissors in Taichung since 1999, operating as Ohka in Europe and the Americas and as Ohka Sakura in Asian markets. The brand operates under Relee Scissors Company Ltd. Guide prices across the 47 catalogued models run from US$110 to US$2,420.
The catalogue divides into three practical steel tiers. Entry and mid-range models — Elite, Classic, Sunrise, Stegosaurus, Winner, Black Gloss, Noble, and related lines — use stainless steel. The Flagship FAV steps up to VG-10 layered steel for higher edge retention. The Flagship NPD and FPD use M3 powder steel at the top of the range. Thinning shears run alongside each tier and carry fixed volume-removal ratings: 10, 15, 25, and 45 percent across the mid lines, up to approximately 55 percent for the Flagship FVG.
Ohka also makes a dedicated left-handed range and a Transformer thinning model with a rotating collet mechanism.
How we chose
The five picks cover each tier of the Ohka steel hierarchy and both major scissor types. The Elite ND represents the entry stainless level across the broadest size run. The Black Gloss FB and its thinning companion represent the mid-range stainless tier with a distinctive finish and a fixed volume-removal rating. The Flagship FAV is the VG-10 step-up — the transition point where steel grade changes. The Flagship NPD takes the range to powder steel. Guide prices move; confirm current figures before buying.
The wider Ohka catalogue
Ohka’s mid-range cutting lines include the Sunrise SF (around US$165, 5.0–6.0 inch), the Stegosaurus (around US$255), the Noble NHR (around US$440), and the Kaminari KM (around US$540, 6.5 and 7.0 inch, with gold accents). The thinning range extends from the Classic C Thinning at US$130 up to the Flagship FVG (around US$845, 14 teeth, approximately 55 percent volume reduction in VG-10 layered steel). The Transformer T320 (around US$550) is a thinning model with a rotating collet. Left-handed options include the Star SR (around US$480). The full catalogue is on the Ohka brand page.
Frequently Asked Questions
6 answers you can open one at a timeWhere are Ohka scissors made?
Ohka scissors are handmade in Taichung City, Taiwan, by Relee Scissors Company Ltd. The brand has operated from this location since its founding in 1999. The Taiwan Excellence Award, which Ohka has received, requires that winning products be manufactured in Taiwan.
What steel do Ohka scissors use?
Ohka’s entry and mid-range lines use stainless steel. The Flagship FAV uses VG-10 layered steel, and the Flagship NPD and FPD use M3 powder steel — the top tier in the Ohka cutting and thinning catalogues. Specific grade documentation is available on the Ohka website and each product page.
What volume-removal percentages do Ohka thinning scissors come in?
Ohka’s thinning shears carry fixed volume-reduction ratings across the range. The Classic C Thinning and comparable entry models sit in the 10 to 15 percent range, the Black Gloss FB Thinning removes approximately 25 percent, the Kaminari KM Thinning removes approximately 45 percent, and the Flagship FVG (14-tooth) is set for around 55 percent removal. Confirm the specific rating for a given model on the Ohka product page before buying.
What sizes do Ohka scissors come in?
Ohka’s cutting range spans 5.0 to 7.0 inch across the catalogue. Thinning shears are typically offered in 6.0 inch. Left-handed models are also available. Size availability varies by model — check the individual product page for the size options on a specific pair.
Where can I buy Ohka scissors?
Ohka scissors are available direct from the Ohka website at ohkascissors.com. UK stockists include Yoi Scissors and Chris and Sons. Check the Ohka brand page on ScissorPedia for current retailer information.
Has Ohka won any awards?
Ohka has been recognised with the Taiwan Excellence Award. The programme requires that products be manufactured in Taiwan to qualify.