The Best Yasaka Scissors for Hairdressers
Yasaka is a Japanese scissor manufacturer founded in 1965 in Nara, Japan, operating as Yasaka Seiki Co., Ltd. Most of the cutting range is ATS-314 cobalt steel, with 440C on the SA and YA models, one VG-10 model at US$292 and a traditional even-handle entry. Five picks here span US$259 to US$576, all made in Japan, across three handle configurations: traditional even, classic, and offset.
Updated
What are the best Yasaka scissors for professional hairdressers?
The Traditional, around US$259, is Yasaka's entry professional model in ATS-314 with a traditional even (symmetric) handle — both rings at equal length, available in four sizes from 4.5 to 6.0 inch. The SSS VG10, around US$292, is Yasaka's only VG-10 model in the cutting range, with a classic handle and convex edge. The YA, around US$461, is the standard professional 440C offset in three sizes from 5.0 to 6.0 inch. The SA Offset, around US$513, applies a precision-ground convex edge to the 440C offset configuration. The SL, around US$576, sits near the top of the Yasaka range with refined blade geometry in ATS-314.
The Traditional and SL use ATS-314, the YA and SA Offset use 440C, and the SSS VG10 is the one VG-10 model. The Traditional uses a symmetric even handle; the SSS VG10 uses a classic handle; and the YA, SA Offset, and SL all use offset geometry. The gap between the US$292 SSS VG10 and the US$461 YA reflects how Yasaka’s range is structured — the even-handle and classic-handle models sit below US$300, and the offset professional tier starts at US$461.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | Pick 1 Yasaka Traditional Cutting Scissors Yasaka | Pick 2 Yasaka SSS Japan VG10 Cutting Scissors Yasaka | Pick 3 Yasaka YA Hair Cutting Shears Yasaka | Pick 4 Yasaka SA Offset Precision Shears Yasaka | Pick 5 Yasaka SL Hair Cutting Scissors Yasaka |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price band | US$259Price band US$200–400 · Mid-range | US$292Price band US$200–400 · Mid-range | US$461Price band US$400–800 · Premium | US$513Price band US$400–800 · Premium | US$576Price band US$400–800 · Premium |
| Steel | ATS-314 | VG-10 | 440C | 440C | ATS-314 |
| Made in | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan |
| Handle | Traditional | Classic | Offset | Offset | Offset |
| Blade type | Convex | Convex | Convex | Convex | Convex |
| Sizes (in) | 4.5· 5.0· 5.5· 6.0 | 5.5 | 5.0· 5.5· 6.0 | 5.5· 6.0 | 5.5· 6.0 |
| Product links | View product | View product | View product | View product | View product |
Five Yasaka picks from US$259 to US$576
- 1Yasaka
Yasaka Traditional Cutting Scissors
- ATS-314
- Traditional handle
- Convex blade
Yasaka’s entry professional model: ATS-314 cobalt steel, a hand-honed convex edge, and a symmetric handle with both rings at equal length. Sizes run 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0 inch — the widest run on this page and the only pick available in 4.5 inch. The first choice for stylists who prefer symmetric grip geometry, cut with both hands, or want the widest size options in the Yasaka ATS-314 range. Available through Japan Scissors and Stay Sharp.
View Yasaka Traditional Cutting Scissors - 2Yasaka
Yasaka SSS Japan VG10 Cutting Scissors
- VG-10
- Classic handle
- Convex blade
Yasaka’s only VG-10 model in the cutting range, positioned as the premium of the pair under US$300: VG-10 above the ATS-314 Traditional at a modest price step, in 5.5 inch with a classic handle and convex edge. For a stylist who wants Yasaka’s convex edge in VG-10 rather than ATS-314, this is the sole option.
View Yasaka SSS Japan VG10 Cutting Scissors - 3Yasaka
Yasaka YA Hair Cutting Shears
- 440C
- Offset handle
- Convex blade
The entry to Yasaka’s offset professional tier: 440C steel, convex edge, standard offset geometry, in 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0 inch — the widest size run among the offset models on this page.
View Yasaka YA Hair Cutting Shears - 4Yasaka
Yasaka SA Offset Precision Shears
- 440C
- Offset handle
- Convex blade
Same 440C grade as the YA, stepped up in edge finish. The precision-ground convex edge is the listed differentiator between the two. Offset handle, 5.5 and 6.0 inch, for stylists who prioritize exacting blade work.
View Yasaka SA Offset Precision Shears - 5Yasaka
Yasaka SL Hair Cutting Scissors
- ATS-314
- Offset handle
- Convex blade
Near the top of Yasaka’s cutting range: refined blade geometry is the product page’s primary differentiator above the SA Offset, at the highest production standard in the standard Yasaka offset line. ATS-314, convex edge, offset handle, 5.5 and 6.0 inch.
View Yasaka SL Hair Cutting Scissors
Yasaka’s range structure
Yasaka is a Japanese scissor manufacturer founded in 1965 in Nara, Japan. Most of the cutting range is ATS-314 cobalt steel, with 440C on the SA and YA models, and it runs from US$259 at entry through three offset tiers to US$576 at the near-top, with one VG-10 model at US$292.
The range breaks into two groups. At the lower tier: the Traditional (US$259) in an even symmetric handle and the SSS VG10 (US$292) in a classic handle — both under US$300, different handle styles, and different steel grades. At the offset tier: the YA (US$461), SA Offset (US$513), and SL (US$576), all offset, with 440C on the YA and SA Offset and ATS-314 on the SL, stepping through production standard and finish quality.
The gap between US$292 and US$461 reflects that structure directly. Stylists choosing between the Traditional and SSS VG10 are choosing between handle geometry and steel grade. Stylists choosing between the three offset models are choosing between 440C (YA, SA Offset) and ATS-314 (SL) as well as finish tier.
How we chose
Every pick is made in Japan with its steel grade listed on the product page. The five span three steel grades (440C, ATS-314 and VG-10), three handle configurations (even, classic, offset), and US$259 to US$576. The Traditional is included for its symmetric even handle — a distinct product from the offset models for stylists who prefer that geometry. The SSS VG10 earns its place as the only VG-10 model in the Yasaka cutting range. Guide prices move; confirm current figures before buying.
Where to buy: every pick is stocked by Japan Scissors; the YA also goes through Scissor Dude and the SA Offset through Shear Integrity, with specialist Yasaka stockists carrying the rest of the range.
The wider Yasaka range
The Yasaka 7.0 Inch Barber (around US$246) uses Hitachi ATS-314 with a hamaguri-ba clam-shell convex edge in a semi-offset handle at 7.0 inch — a barber-specific model. The Yasaka Dry Cut (around US$461) pairs ATS-314 with blade geometry built for dry-cutting technique. Left-handed models are available in the Yasaka range. The full thinning range — including the Yasaka YS Thinning — is on the Yasaka brand page.
Frequently Asked Questions
5 answers you can open one at a timeWhat steel does Yasaka use in its professional scissors?
It depends on the model. The Traditional, SL, Dry Cut and 7-inch Barber use ATS-314 cobalt steel. The YA and SA models use 440C. The SSS VG10 uses VG-10. Steel grades are listed on each product page.
What is the difference between the Yasaka Traditional and the SSS VG10?
The Traditional uses ATS-314 cobalt steel in a traditional even (symmetric) handle — both finger rings at equal length. It is available in 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0 inch. The SSS VG10 uses VG-10 steel in a classic handle and is available in 5.5 inch only. The differences are steel grade, handle style, and size run: the Traditional gives a wider size choice at a lower price in ATS-314; the SSS VG10 is Yasaka’s only VG-10 model. The two models serve different handle preferences as much as different budgets.
What are the differences between the Yasaka YA, SA Offset, and SL?
All three have an offset handle and a convex edge and are made in Japan. The YA and SA Offset use 440C and the SL uses ATS-314. The YA is the entry of the three — a three-size versatile cutting shear in 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0 inch. The SA Offset is positioned as precision-focused with a precision-ground convex edge, available in 5.5 and 6.0 inch. The SL sits near the top of the range with refined blade geometry, also in 5.5 and 6.0 inch. The step from YA to SA Offset and SL is production standard and finish quality with a step from 440C to ATS-314 at the SL. Confirm specifics on each product page.
Does Yasaka make left-handed scissors?
Yes. Yasaka’s catalog includes left-handed models. See the Yasaka brand page for the full left-handed range. Left-handed models are built as mirror-image scissors with the blade orientation and thumb placement reversed — not simply swapped handles on a right-handed pair.
Does Yasaka make thinning scissors?
Yes. Yasaka makes thinning scissors. The full thinning range, including the YS Thinning model, is on the Yasaka brand page. This roundup covers only cutting models.