The Best TSUBAME Scissors
TSUBAME is a Japanese scissor brand founded in 2001 in Tsubame, a city in Niigata Prefecture with roughly 300 years of metalworking history. The brand was started by a group of craftsmen from the region. Four picks here run from $350 to $500, covering two cutting models in VG-1 steel, a slim-blade cutter, and a ceramic-blade premium model at the top of the range. All are made in Japan.
What are the best TSUBAME scissors?
The Matsu Series, around $350, is a VG-1 steel cutting scissor with a straight cutting edge, available in 5.5 and 6.0 inch. The Slim Series, also around $350, is a slim and thin-bladed cutting scissor designed for fine-hair margin work, in 5.5 and 6.0 inch. The Ray Series, around $350, is TSUBAME's 6.0-inch VG-1 thinning model using a linear shear technique for volume control. The Ceramic 60M, around $500, is TSUBAME's top-tier cutter: one blade is made with ceramic for superior edge retention, available in 6.0 inch.
The Matsu and Slim are both cutting scissors in the $350 tier, differing in blade form — the Matsu uses a straight cutting edge suited to precision line work, while the Slim uses a thinner blade profile to reduce weight and allow access to fine detail areas. Both use offset handles and are available in 5.5 and 6.0 inch. The Ray Series moves to the thinning side at the same $350 price point, using VG-1 steel with a linear shear mechanism. The Ceramic 60M is the Master Collection tier: one ceramic blade raises edge retention above what the all-steel models achieve, at 6.0 inch only. All four are made in Tsubame, Niigata.
Verified Jun 2026
Four TSUBAME picks from $350 to $500
| Attribute | Tsubame Matsu Series Cutting Scissors TSUBAME | Tsubame Slim Series Cutting Scissors TSUBAME | Tsubame Ray Series Thinning Scissors TSUBAME | Tsubame Ceramic 60M Series Cutting Scissors TSUBAME |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price guide | US$350 | US$350 | US$350 | US$500 |
| Price tier | Mid-range | Mid-range | Mid-range | Premium |
| Steel | VG-1 Japanese Steel | Unknown | VG-1 Japanese Steel | Ceramic / Japanese Steel hybrid |
| Made in | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan |
| Handle | Offset | Offset | Offset | Offset |
| Blade type | — | — | — | — |
| Sizes (in) | 5.5 · 6.0 | 5.5 · 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| View product | View product | View product | View product |
All four made in Japan (Tsubame, Niigata). Guide prices at time of writing; confirm current figures on each product page.
TSUBAME — Niigata metalworking tradition
TSUBAME was founded in 2001 by craftsmen from Tsubame, a city in Niigata Prefecture that the brand describes as having roughly 300 years of metalworking history. The Tsubame and Sanjo area of Niigata is a concentrated Japanese metalworking region, producing everything from kitchen knives to industrial tools. TSUBAME Scissors draws on that local expertise.
The brand covers cutting and thinning scissors, with specialties including weaving, slide cutting, and slice cutting. Four picks here span $350 to $500, in VG-1 steel and a ceramic-hybrid top tier, all made in Japan.
The four picks
1. TSUBAME Matsu Series (guide price around $350). TSUBAME’s VG-1 Japanese steel cutting scissor with a straight cutting edge and offset handle. The Matsu’s straight blade geometry is suited to precise, clean-line cuts. Available in 5.5 and 6.0 inch. Available through TSUBAME Scissors and HIEN.
2. TSUBAME Slim Series (around $350). TSUBAME’s slim-profile cutting scissor with a thin, lightweight blade designed for fine-hair margin work. The reduced blade thickness and weight are intended to cut finger fatigue during extended sessions. Available in 5.5 and 6.0 inch. Available through TSUBAME Scissors and HIEN.
3. TSUBAME Ray Series (around $350). TSUBAME’s 6.0-inch VG-1 thinning scissor using a linear shear technique for rapid volume adjustment and texturizing. The Ray Series is the thinning model in the core TSUBAME range, at the same guide price as the Matsu and Slim cutting models. Available through TSUBAME Scissors and HIEN.
4. TSUBAME Ceramic 60M (around $500). TSUBAME’s Master Collection cutting scissor with one ceramic blade for superior edge retention. The ceramic blade provides sharper cutting performance and longer retention between sharpenings compared to an all-steel build. Available in 6.0 inch only. Available through TSUBAME Scissors and HIEN.
How we chose
The four picks cover the qualifying TSUBAME catalogue. The Matsu and Slim are the two cutting options at $350, each with a distinct blade form; the Ray Series is the $350 thinning model; and the Ceramic 60M is the premium tier at $500. The 420A 6-Piece set is excluded as it is a set product. Guide prices move; confirm current figures before buying.
The wider TSUBAME catalogue
TSUBAME also offers a 6-piece starter set (the 420A 6-Piece Set) for stylists building a first kit. For the full current range including specifications and availability, the TSUBAME brand page on ScissorPedia and the official website at tsubamescissors.com are the authoritative sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
TSUBAME scissors are made in Tsubame, Niigata Prefecture, Japan. The brand was founded in 2001 by craftsmen from the city, which has roughly 300 years of metalworking tradition. TSUBAME also runs a US operation in El Monte, California for domestic ordering and support.
The Matsu Series and Ray Series use VG-1 Japanese steel. The Slim Series uses Japanese steel (the specific grade is on the product page). The Ceramic 60M uses a ceramic and Japanese steel hybrid — one blade is ceramic for superior edge retention.
The Ceramic 60M is TSUBAME’s top-tier cutting scissor, part of the Master Collection. One of the two blades is made with ceramic, which gives sharper initial cutting performance and longer edge retention compared to an all-steel blade. It is available in 6.0 inch only, guide-priced around $500.
Both are VG-1 or Japanese steel cutting scissors in 5.5 and 6.0 inch at a $350 guide price. The Matsu uses a straight cutting edge suited to precise, clean line cutting. The Slim uses a thinner, lighter blade profile designed for fine-hair margin work and reduced hand fatigue during extended sessions.
Through the official TSUBAME Scissors website at tsubamescissors.com, and in Japan through HIEN and Hasami House. TSUBAME’s El Monte, California address provides a domestic US ordering option.