The Best OKAWA Scissors
OKAWA is a Japanese scissor brand founded in 2011 by Keisuke Okawa and based in Niiza City, Saitama Prefecture. Every pair goes through more than 40 individual hand-finished steps, including a hand-ground hollow back on each blade. Four picks run from US$850 to US$1,000, covering cutting models in Japanese cutlery steel and powder metal high-speed steel, plus a 21-tooth thinning model.
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What are the best OKAWA scissors?
The SG-K 5.5, around US$850, is OKAWA's 5.5-inch cutting scissor in Japanese cutlery steel with a hand-ground hollow convex edge — a compact offset-handle cutter built through the brand's 40-plus-step process. The SG-X, also around US$850, is the 5.5 and 6.0-inch cutting model in the same Japanese cutlery steel with a hand-ground hollow convex edge, available in two lengths. The Jag II SGJ60, around US$1,000, is OKAWA's top-tier 6.0-inch cutter in powder metal high-speed steel, using a stepped-blade design the brand calls Jag to suppress hair escape during cutting. The J-Series SG212 Thinning, around US$850, is a 5.8-inch thinning scissor with a 21-tooth, 2-stage angle-pocket blade designed for a 20–25% thinning rate.
All four OKAWA models share the same handmade build: more than 40 individual steps, hand-ground hollow blades, and edge angles adjusted by hand to within 1 degree. The SG-K and SG-X are the core cutting models in Japanese cutlery steel; the difference between them is length range — the SG-K is 5.5 inch only, while the SG-X comes in 5.5 and 6.0. The Jag II moves to powder metal high-speed steel and a stepped-blade form for stylists who want the brand’s top edge-retention grade. The J-Series SG212 applies the same handmade process to a thinning model with a 2-stage angle-pocket blade. All use a compact screw pivot system. OKAWA scissors are sold through the official website and through Refun.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | Pick 1 OKAWA SG-K 5.5 Cutting Scissors OKAWA | Pick 2 OKAWA SG-X Cutting Scissors OKAWA | Pick 3 OKAWA Jag II SGJ60 Cutting Scissors OKAWA | Pick 4 OKAWA J-Series SG212 Thinning Scissors OKAWA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price band | US$850Price band US$800+ · Luxury | US$850Price band US$800+ · Luxury | US$1,000Price band US$800+ · Luxury | US$850Price band US$800+ · Luxury |
| Made in | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan |
| Handle | Offset | Offset | Offset | Offset |
| Blade type | Hand-ground hollow convex edge | Hand-ground hollow convex edge | Jag stepped-blade | 21-tooth 2-stage angle-pocket thinning |
| Sizes (in) | 5.5 | 5.5· 6.0 | 6.0 | 5.8 |
| Product links | View product | View product | View product | View product |
Four OKAWA picks from US$850 to US$1,000
- 1OKAWA
OKAWA SG-K 5.5 Cutting Scissors
- Japanese Cutlery Steel
- Offset handle
- Hand-ground hollow convex edge blade
OKAWA’s 5.5-inch cutting scissor in Japanese cutlery steel with a hand-ground hollow convex edge and offset handle. Each pair passes through more than 40 hand-finished steps, with the edge angle adjusted to within 1 degree. The SG-K is available in 5.5 inch. Available through OKAWA pro-scissors and Refun.
View OKAWA SG-K 5.5 Cutting Scissors - 2OKAWA
OKAWA SG-X Cutting Scissors
- Japanese Cutlery Steel
- Offset handle
- Hand-ground hollow convex edge blade
OKAWA’s cutting scissor in Japanese cutlery steel with a hand-ground hollow convex edge, available in both 5.5 and 6.0 inch. The SG-X shares the same steel and build process as the SG-K, extending the size run to a 6.0-inch option for stylists who work at that length. Available through OKAWA pro-scissors and Refun.
View OKAWA SG-X Cutting Scissors - 3OKAWA
OKAWA Jag II SGJ60 Cutting Scissors
- Powder Metal High-Speed Steel
- Offset handle
- Jag stepped-blade blade
OKAWA’s premium 6.0-inch cutter in powder metal high-speed steel with a stepped-blade (Jag) design. The Jag blade geometry is designed to suppress hair escape during cutting and produce a softer cutting feel. Powder metal high-speed steel gives the edge greater retention compared to the standard Japanese cutlery steel used in the SG-K and SG-X. Available through OKAWA pro-scissors and Refun.
View OKAWA Jag II SGJ60 Cutting Scissors - 4OKAWA
OKAWA J-Series SG212 Thinning Scissors
- Japanese Cutlery Steel
- Offset handle
- 21-tooth 2-stage angle-pocket thinning blade
OKAWA’s 5.8-inch thinning scissor with a 21-tooth, 2-stage angle-pocket blade. The J-Series is designed for a 20–25% thinning rate. Like the cutting models, it is completely handmade through the same 40-plus-step process with hand-ground hollow blades. Available through OKAWA pro-scissors and Refun.
View OKAWA J-Series SG212 Thinning Scissors
OKAWA — handmade in Saitama
OKAWA was founded in 2011 by Keisuke Okawa in Niiza City, Saitama Prefecture. The brand operates under the name OKAWA pro-scissors and describes every pair as completely handmade — more than 40 individual steps, each finished by hand. A defining part of the build is the hand-ground hollow: the concave surface on the back of each blade is ground by hand, work OKAWA says only a small number of artisans in Japan still carry out.
The four catalogued models cover three cutting scissors and one thinning model, priced between US$850 and US$1,000 at guide prices. The SG-K and SG-X share the same Japanese cutlery steel and hand-ground hollow convex edge; the Jag II steps to powder metal high-speed steel. All four use a compact screw pivot system and share the 40-plus-step build.
How we chose
Each of the four picks fills a different position in the OKAWA range: the SG-K is the compact 5.5-inch entry to the cutting line; the SG-X extends to a 6.0-inch option in the same steel; the Jag II steps to powder metal for maximum edge retention; and the J-Series SG212 covers the thinning side. All four share the brand’s handmade build. Guide prices move; confirm current figures before buying.
The wider OKAWA catalogue
OKAWA also offers left-handed models and additional cutting variants. For the full current range including specifications and availability, the OKAWA brand page on ScissorPedia and the official website at okawa-proscissors.co.jp are the authoritative sources. The brand also maintains distribution offices in Seoul and New Taipei City.
Frequently Asked Questions
6 answers you can open one at a timeWhere are OKAWA scissors made?
OKAWA scissors are made in Niiza City, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Every pair is built by hand in the OKAWA workshop, with the same craftsmen who make the scissors also handling maintenance.
What steel does OKAWA use?
OKAWA uses Japanese cutlery steel across the SG-K, SG-X, and J-Series thinning models, and powder metal high-speed steel for the Jag II SGJ60 at the top of the cutting range.
What is the hand-ground hollow in OKAWA scissors?
The hollow is the concave surface on the back of each blade, ground by hand. OKAWA states that only a small number of artisans in Japan still perform this work by hand. It is a key part of the brand’s manufacturing identity.
What is the Jag blade in the OKAWA Jag II?
The Jag blade uses a stepped design along the cutting edge. OKAWA says the stepped geometry suppresses hair escape during cutting and produces a softer cutting feel. The Jag II pairs this blade form with powder metal high-speed steel.
How much do OKAWA scissors cost?
The SG-K, SG-X, and J-Series thinning models are guide-priced around US$850. The Jag II SGJ60 in powder metal high-speed steel is guide-priced around US$1,000. Confirm current figures on the OKAWA website or through Refun before buying.
Where can I buy OKAWA scissors?
Through the official OKAWA pro-scissors website at okawa-proscissors.co.jp, and through the Refun online store.