The Best SCISSORS JAPAN Scissors for Hairdressers
SCISSORS JAPAN is a Japanese scissor manufacturer based in Kurobe City, Toyama Prefecture, operating as Scissors Japan CO. LTD. The brand is built around two proprietary technologies: LSBS (Limitlessly Shallow Back Surface), which replaces the traditional concave hollow on the back of the blade with a flat ground surface, and CTN (Catch Triangle Notch), a patented system of triangular notches on the stationary blade that prevents hair from slipping during the cut. Five picks here run from US$400 to US$600 at guide prices, each in 5.5 to 6.5 inch lengths, all made in Japan.
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What are the best SCISSORS JAPAN scissors?
The neoBasic, guide price around US$400, is SCISSORS JAPAN's entry professional model — LSBS flat-back blade technology in the most accessible package in the range, suited to stylists moving into the brand's semi-custom system for the first time. The S Series, around US$500, adds a choice of three blade line geometries — 800R, Oval, and Propeller — letting stylists match the blade shape to their cutting technique. The RISE, around US$550, is a versatile mid-range cutter suited to blunt and slide cutting work. The CTNs W, around US$600, adds the patented CTN gripping notch tuned for wet cutting, preventing hair from slipping during wet-hair passes. The CTNv D, at the same US$600 guide price, carries the CTN system in a V-series blade line tuned for dry cutting, chop cutting, and point cutting.
LSBS replaces the concave hollow ground into the back of a conventional scissor blade with a flat surface. According to SCISSORS JAPAN, this keeps the blade angle consistent from heel to tip through repeated sharpenings — a conventional concave hollow changes geometry as material is removed during sharpening, while the flat LSBS surface maintains a consistent reference plane. CTN (Catch Triangle Notch) adds a row of triangular notches to the stationary blade that grip the hair section as the blades close, reducing slippage. SCISSORS JAPAN produces two CTN variants: CTNs W for wet hair and CTNv D for dry hair, each with different blade line geometry suited to the intended cutting environment. The brand also operates a semi-order system where stylists can specify blade line, blade shape, thinning rate, and handle size — delivery takes several weeks under the semi-order process.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | Pick 1 SCISSORS JAPAN neoBasic Cutting Scissors SCISSORS JAPAN | Pick 2 SCISSORS JAPAN S Series Cutting Scissors SCISSORS JAPAN | Pick 3 SCISSORS JAPAN RISE Cutting Scissors SCISSORS JAPAN | Pick 4 SCISSORS JAPAN CTNs W Cutting Scissors SCISSORS JAPAN | Pick 5 SCISSORS JAPAN CTNv D Cutting Scissors SCISSORS JAPAN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price band | US$400Price band US$400–800 · Premium | US$500Price band US$400–800 · Premium | US$550Price band US$400–800 · Premium | US$600Price band US$400–800 · Premium | US$600Price band US$400–800 · Premium |
| Made in | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan |
| Handle | Offset | Offset | Offset | Offset | Offset |
| Sizes (in) | 5.5· 6.0· 6.5 | 5.5· 6.0· 6.5 | 5.5· 6.0· 6.5 | 5.5· 6.0· 6.5 | 5.5· 6.0· 6.5 |
| Product links | View product | View product | View product | View product | View product |
Five SCISSORS JAPAN picks from US$400 to US$600
- 1SCISSORS JAPAN
SCISSORS JAPAN neoBasic Cutting Scissors
- Japanese Steel
- Offset handle
- 5.5 · 6.0 · 6.5″
The entry professional model in the SCISSORS JAPAN range — LSBS flat-back blade technology in an offset handle, available in 5.5, 6.0, and 6.5 inch. The neoBasic is the starting point for stylists building familiarity with the brand’s flat-back system before moving into the S Series or CTN models. Available through HIVE SCISSORS and Refun.
View SCISSORS JAPAN neoBasic Cutting Scissors - 2SCISSORS JAPAN
SCISSORS JAPAN S Series Cutting Scissors
- Japanese Steel
- Offset handle
- 5.5 · 6.0 · 6.5″
A step up from the neoBasic with a choice of three blade line geometries: 800R (a conventional rounded blade line), Oval, and Propeller. The three options let the stylist select the blade shape best suited to their cutting technique — the S Series is the first model in the range to introduce that blade-line choice. Offset handle, LSBS flat-back, 5.5 to 6.5 inch. Available through HIVE SCISSORS and Refun.
View SCISSORS JAPAN S Series Cutting Scissors - 3SCISSORS JAPAN
SCISSORS JAPAN RISE Cutting Scissors
- Japanese Steel
- Offset handle
- 5.5 · 6.0 · 6.5″
A versatile mid-range cutting scissor with LSBS flat-back blade technology, suited to blunt cutting and slide cutting. The RISE sits between the S Series and the CTN models in the catalogue, combining the flat-back blade with hand finishing and semi-custom sizing availability. Offset handle, 5.5 to 6.5 inch. Available through HIVE SCISSORS and Refun.
View SCISSORS JAPAN RISE Cutting Scissors - 4SCISSORS JAPAN
SCISSORS JAPAN CTNs W Cutting Scissors
- Japanese Steel
- Offset handle
- 5.5 · 6.0 · 6.5″
The wet-cutting CTN model — LSBS flat-back blade with the patented CTN (Catch Triangle Notch) system tuned for wet hair. The triangular notches on the stationary blade grip sections during wet cutting passes where hair is more prone to slipping. Offset handle, 5.5 to 6.5 inch. Available through HIVE SCISSORS and Refun.
View SCISSORS JAPAN CTNs W Cutting Scissors - 5SCISSORS JAPAN
SCISSORS JAPAN CTNv D Cutting Scissors
- Japanese Steel
- Offset handle
- 5.5 · 6.0 · 6.5″
The dry-cutting CTN model — the same LSBS flat-back base with CTN notches in a V-series blade line geometry optimised for dry cutting, chop cutting, and point cutting. The V-series blade line differs from the wet-cutting CTNs W in how the blade meets the section on dry hair. Offset handle, 5.5 to 6.5 inch. Available through HIVE SCISSORS and Refun.
View SCISSORS JAPAN CTNv D Cutting Scissors
LSBS and CTN: the two SCISSORS JAPAN technologies
SCISSORS JAPAN is a Toyama Prefecture maker — headquartered in Kurobe City — operating as Scissors Japan CO. LTD. The catalogue is built around two proprietary blade treatments that distinguish its shears from conventional Japanese scissors.
LSBS (Limitlessly Shallow Back Surface) replaces the standard concave hollow on the back of the blade with a flat ground surface. On a conventional Japanese scissor, that hollow — the urasuki — changes geometry slightly each time the blade is sharpened, because material is removed from a curved surface. SCISSORS JAPAN’s position is that a flat back surface maintains consistent blade angle geometry through repeated sharpenings. All five models in the current catalogue carry LSBS.
CTN (Catch Triangle Notch) is a patented row of triangular notches on the stationary blade. They grip the hair section as the blades close to prevent slippage — a problem more common in wet cutting and in fine hair. SCISSORS JAPAN makes two CTN variants tuned to different environments: CTNs W for wet cutting, and CTNv D for dry cutting, chop cutting, and point cutting. The neoBasic, S Series, and RISE do not carry CTN — they use LSBS alone.
The brand also runs a semi-order system that lets stylists specify blade line geometry, blade shape, thinning rate, and handle size. Standard sizes run 5.5 to 6.5 inch. All models are made in Japan.
How we chose
All five models in the current SCISSORS JAPAN catalogue carry a guide price above zero and are in production. The picks cover the full range from the neoBasic entry point to both CTN variants at the top. The S Series is included because the blade-line choice (800R, Oval, Propeller) is a genuine distinction from the neoBasic, not a finish variation. The RISE fills the gap between S Series and CTN pricing. Guide prices move; confirm current figures on each product page before buying.
The wider SCISSORS JAPAN catalogue
SCISSORS JAPAN’s semi-order system extends beyond the five standard models — blade lines, shapes, thinning rates, and handle dimensions can be specified for a custom build, with a lead time of several weeks. Full details of the semi-order process are on the SCISSORS JAPAN brand page and the brand’s own site.
Frequently Asked Questions
5 answers you can open one at a timeWhat is LSBS in SCISSORS JAPAN scissors?
LSBS stands for Limitlessly Shallow Back Surface. It is SCISSORS JAPAN’s proprietary blade back treatment — a flat ground surface in place of the concave hollow (urasuki) used on conventional Japanese shears. The brand states that the flat back maintains consistent blade angles from heel to tip through repeated sharpenings, because removing material from a flat surface does not alter its geometry the way removing material from a concave surface does.
What is CTN in SCISSORS JAPAN scissors?
CTN stands for Catch Triangle Notch. It is a patented system of triangular notches ground into the stationary blade that grip the hair section as the blades close, reducing slippage during the cut. SCISSORS JAPAN makes two CTN variants: CTNs W, optimised for wet cutting, and CTNv D, optimised for dry cutting, chop cutting, and point cutting. The notch geometry differs between the two versions to suit each cutting environment.
What sizes do SCISSORS JAPAN scissors come in?
All five catalogued models — neoBasic, S Series, RISE, CTNs W, and CTNv D — are available in 5.5, 6.0, and 6.5 inch. SCISSORS JAPAN also operates a semi-order system where handle size can be specified to match hand dimensions; lead time under that system is several weeks.
Where can I buy SCISSORS JAPAN scissors?
SCISSORS JAPAN is available through HIVE SCISSORS and through Refun, an online scissors retailer. The brand is based in Japan and does not appear to have a direct-to-consumer online store in English.
What is the difference between the CTNs W and the CTNv D?
Both models use the patented CTN (Catch Triangle Notch) system on the stationary blade, but they differ in blade line geometry and the cutting environment each is tuned for. The CTNs W uses a blade line designed for wet cutting — suited to scissor-over-comb and wet-hair blunt and slide work. The CTNv D uses a V-series blade line designed for dry cutting, chop cutting, and point cutting on dry hair. The steel and LSBS flat-back technology are the same across both.