Hayashi

Clamshell, convex, hamaguri: the edge profile that became the benchmark for premium Japanese shears is one Hayashi is widely credited with pioneering. The Wakayama City company, founded in 1992 by Nobuaki Hayashi, works in proprietary HYS powder steel, up to HRC 67 on the HYS-MAX67, sells direct and runs its own sharpening and repair service, and takes part-by-part custom orders. Guide prices for the three catalogued models run $800 to $1,600.

Company Background

Hayashi Scissors Co., Ltd. was established in 1992 by Nobuaki Hayashi and is headquartered in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. The company operates with a small team of nine employees and serves approximately 3,000 clients nationwide in Japan, with overseas sales in Korea, Taiwan, and Shanghai.

What makes Hayashi significant in the scissor industry goes beyond their size. Hayashi Scissors is widely credited with pioneering the hamaguri blade (蛤刃, hamaguriba), a convex cross-section profile that resembles the curve of a clamshell. This blade geometry has become the gold standard for premium Japanese shear edges. The hamaguri grind produces smooth slicing action with reduced friction compared to the stepped blade profiles (段刃, danba) common on European scissors. If you have ever heard a sharpener or manufacturer talk about “clamshell” or “convex” edges on Japanese shears, they are referencing a concept that Hayashi helped establish.

Direct Sales Model

Hayashi operates what they describe as an industry first: a direct manufacturing and sales model with comprehensive after-sales maintenance. Rather than routing everything through third party dealers, Hayashi sells directly to stylists and provides ongoing sharpening and repair service. This direct relationship means the company knows exactly which pair of shears each client owns and can maintain them accordingly.

The company’s growth pattern tells the story of a business built on regional expansion. Starting from Wakayama, they expanded prefecture by prefecture through the 1990s, reaching Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Hyogo, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Aichi, Fukuoka, and Shiga over the course of eight years. By 1999, they had surpassed 2,000 clients. The company incorporated in January 2000 and continued expanding with offices in the Kanto region, Tohoku, Shikoku, and eventually international agencies in Korea, Taiwan, and China.

Part-by-Part Custom Ordering

Hayashi offers a part-by-part custom ordering system where customers can specify individual components of their shears. This level of customization allows a stylist to select their preferred blade shape, handle configuration, and other details rather than choosing from a fixed product catalog. For professionals who have very specific preferences about how a shear feels and performs, this is a meaningful option.

Innovation and Recognition

In 2001, Hayashi began producing original scissors in joint development with Mr. Shichijo, the 1996 World Champion hairdresser. This collaboration led to the “Shark” model, which launched in 2005. The company has received multiple regional certifications, including Wakayama Prefecture Premium Product status (2008), selection for the Wakayama Small Business Vitality Fund (2012), and inclusion in the “Kansai Manufacturing Selection 2017.”

Their HYS-MAX67 model was featured in the Kansai Design Potential Map 2010, which highlights products recognized for design excellence in the Kansai region.

HYS-MAX67: The Hardest Scissor Steel

Hayashi’s proprietary HYS powder metal (超微粒子粉末鋼) uses tungsten for hardness, molybdenum for toughness, and vanadium as an additive, all manufactured via powder metallurgy for uniform particle distribution. Their standard HYS achieves HRC 63-64. The HYS-MAX67 pushes to HRC 67, described by Hayashi as “the hardness at which machining was previously said to be impossible.” Development took several years from concept to production. This represents the closest approach to the theoretical ideal of “scissors that never need sharpening.” Source: Hayashi Scissors: Materials (Japanese).

Blade Technology Focus

Hayashi’s core innovation remains their blade work. The hamaguri grind they pioneered is referenced across the Japanese scissor industry as the benchmark for premium edge profiles. Japanese industry source KAMIU lists Hayashi as an innovator in blade technology. The convex clamshell cross-section reduces friction during cutting and produces a characteristically smooth feel when slicing through hair. This is one of the fundamental differences between Japanese and European shear construction, and Hayashi played a central role in establishing it.

Company Details

• Established: 1992 (incorporated January 2000)
• Capital: 6 million yen
• Employees: 9
• Representative Director: Nobuaki Hayashi
• Domestic Sales: Nationwide (Japan)
• Overseas Sales: Korea, Taiwan, Shanghai
• Headquarters: 6-5-74 Tedaira, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture, 640-8319

See Also

Best Hayashi scissors →

Where to Buy

Refun →