DOWA
- Japan
- Est. 1980
-
Budget Luxury
DOWA is a Japanese scissors brand with offices in London and Tokyo, producing professional shears since 1980 and serving as UK importer for YS Park tools.
A $108 entry pair and an $804 Damascus flagship bracket DOWA’s PASSION shears at guide prices, a Japanese line sold since 1980. Dowa International runs the brand from offices in London and Tokyo and is also the official UK importer for YS Park tools. Across the 19 catalogued models, sizes...
A $108 entry pair and an $804 Damascus flagship bracket DOWA’s PASSION shears at guide prices, a Japanese line sold since 1980. Dowa International runs the brand from offices in London and Tokyo and is also the official UK importer for YS Park tools. Across the 19 catalogued models, sizes run 4.5 to 7.5 inches, with ATS-314 cobalt as the main steel.
Overview
DOWA is a Japanese origin scissor brand operated by Dowa International Ltd. The company has offices in both London and Tokyo. According to Dowa, the company has been producing scissors since 1980 under the PASSION brand name. They are also the official UK importer for YS Park Pro Tools.
Product Range
DOWA offers cutting scissors and thinning scissors. Their specialties include blunt cutting, volume control, texture control, and combined cut and thinning. The brand sits in a mid range price tier (price range 3). According to Dowa International, their scissors blend traditional Japanese craftsmanship with modern design elements.
Sharpening Service
Dowa International states that it operates a sharpening service from its London office, which it describes as one of the leading sharpening operations in Europe. The company reports long term customers from both the UK and international markets who use this service.
Trade Show Presence
According to Dowa, the company exhibits at major trade shows including Salon International in London and Cosmoprof in Bologna, Italy. For stylists attending these events, that provides an opportunity to handle the products in person before committing to a purchase.
Distribution
DOWA scissors are sold through two official channels: the HIEN online store and the Hasami House Rakuten storefront. Dowa International also operates its own website at dowa-international.com. The London office at Unit 8, Hanover West Industrial Estate handles UK and European distribution, while the Tokyo office serves the Japanese market.
See Also
DOWA at a glance
- Budget
- Mid-range $200–400
- Makes
- Cutting Scissors, Thinning Scissors
- Based in
- Japan
- Catalogue
- 19 models listed
- Established
- 1980
Product Types
Specialties
Materials & Construction
The steel, edges, and handle styles DOWA works in:
Where to Buy
Official Brand Websites
Products
How DOWA Compares
| Brand | DOWA | Keiun | Hien | Passion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan |
| Typical price | US$250–US$350 | US$400–US$950 | US$300–US$380 | US$160–US$200 |
| Steel | ATS-314, Damascus | ATS-314, 440C, Damascus | 440C, Cobalt (ATS314), Cobalt (VG10), Damascus | ATS-314, Damascus |
| Blade types | Convex, Sword | Convex | Convex | — |
| Handles | Offset | Offset | Offset | Offset |
| Specialties | Blunt cut, Volume control, Texture control, Cut & Thinning | Slide cut, Thinning(15-20%), Thinning(25-30%), Thinning(50-60%) | Blunt cut, Slide cut, Texture control, Volume control(10~50%), Thinning(17~30%), Wet cut, Dry cut, Point cut, Weight control, Balance adjustment, Zero damage thinning | Blunt cut, Slide cut, Point cut, Scissor-over-comb, Slicing, Volume control(25-30%), Texture control(20%), Cut & Thinning |
| Founded | 1980 | 1948 | — | 1980 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. DOWA is a Japanese brand that has sold its PASSION shears since 1980, run by Dowa International Ltd. with offices in London and Tokyo.
DOWA sells through two official channels, the HIEN online store and the Hasami House storefront on Rakuten, and the company also runs its own site at dowa-international.com.
DOWA works mainly in ATS-314 cobalt, with a Damascus line that uses an ATS-314 cobalt core.
Guide prices across DOWA’s 19 catalogued models go from $108 up to $804. The Passion C4 anchors the low end; the six Damascus pairs, topped by the Keiun, make up the expensive end.
Catalogued PASSION models run from 4.5 to 7.5 inches. Most cutting pairs sit between 5.0 and 6.0 inches, while the Cobalt Crown runs up to 7.5 inches, the longest in the line.
Its PASSION cutting and thinning shears are built for blunt cutting, volume control, and texture work. Dowa International is also the official UK importer for YS Park tools.
Ratings & reviews
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