Hien
Dowa International Ltd.
About Hien
In brief
Hien is a Japanese scissor brand by Dowa International, ranked #1 in customer satisfaction and known for its direct e-commerce sales model.
Cutting Scissors · Thinning Scissors · Left-Handed Scissors 5.5–6.0 in
Profile updated Apr 2026
Price
US$300–380Price band US$200–400 · Mid-rangeTypical documented price, not a quoteWhere to buy
2 retailersBuying routes
Where to buy Hien
Retailers ScissorPedia has catalogued. Prices and stock are on each store’s site.
Japan 2 retailers
Maker’s own dealer information: official site ↗
Catalogue map
The Hien range
3 models · 5.5–6.0 in
Thinning Scissors 1 model US$300Price band US$200–400 · Mid-range
Left-Handed Scissors 1 model US$380Price band US$200–400 · Mid-range
Cutting Scissors 1 model US$350Price band US$200–400 · Mid-range
Pictured models
No reviewed model photography is available yet.
All 3 Hien model names
The same Adachi-ku, Tokyo manufacturer behind the DOWA and PASSION shear lines also runs Hien, a Japanese scissor brand sold direct through its own web shop and through Rakuten. Its three models include one left-handed build, span 5.5 and 6.0 inch lengths, and carry guide prices from US$300 to US$380. Steels span 440C, cobalt alloys (ATS314 and VG10), and a 10-layer Damascus.
Overview
Hien Scissors is a brand operated by Dowa International Co., Ltd., a shear manufacturer based in Adachi-ku, Tokyo. Dowa International also produces shears under several other brand names, including DOWA, Tsubame, PASSION, and K9 (pet grooming).
Customer Satisfaction
According to Voice Note Magazine (a Japanese industry publication), Hien ranked number one in customer satisfaction in their survey of hairdressing shear brands. This recognition is notable for a brand that operates primarily through web sales rather than the traditional distributor and sales representative model that dominates the Japanese shear market.
Web Sales Model
Hien is unusual among Japanese shear brands in that it operates a full e-commerce model. Most Japanese hairdressing shear manufacturers rely on in person sales through traveling representatives or distributor networks. Hien sells direct to stylists through its own website and through Rakuten (Japan’s largest online marketplace). This approach makes their shears more accessible to stylists who prefer to research and purchase online.
Maintenance Program
According to the Hien website, the company offers free maintenance for up to 5 years on purchased shears.
Product Range
Hien’s lineup includes cutting shears, thinning shears, and left-handed models. The brand also sells scissor cases, training heads, combs, and brushes. Their specialty list covers a wide range of techniques including blunt cutting, slide cutting, wet and dry cutting, and what they describe as “zero damage thinning.”
Dowa International holds registered trademarks for “Hien,” “Dowa,” “Passion,” “K9,” “GTX,” and “630” in Japan.
Parent Company Context
Dowa International operates from offices in Tokyo and London. The Tokyo office in Adachi ward handles the Japanese market and manufactures the Hien, DOWA, Tsubame, and PASSION lines. The London office serves the UK and Europe and provides the company’s sharpening service.
Sources
- Hien Scissors official website: hien-scissors.jp
- Voice Note Magazine customer satisfaction survey
- Dowa International corporate information
See Also
How Hien compares
Similar origin and adjacent price band. Brass rows differ; “—” means the field is not documented yet.
| Spec | HienHien | AlphaAlpha | Alu-CobaAlu-Coba | AuroAuro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan |
| Typical price | US$300–380Price band US$200–400 · Mid-range | Price not documented | US$200–250Price band US$200–400 · Mid-range | US$424–499Price band US$400–800 · Premium |
| Steel | 440C, Cobalt (ATS314), Cobalt (VG10), Da | SG2 | Cobalt steel | Cobalt Alloy |
| Edge type | — | — | — | Straight |
| Handles | — | — | — | Offset, Straight, Crane |
| Left-handed | 1 models | — | — | — |
| Thinning | 1 models | 1 models | — | 2 models |
| Specialties | Blunt cut, Slide cut, Texture control, Volume control(10~… | Volume control, Slide cut, Stroke cut, Blunt cut, Texture… | Base cut, Step cut, Volume control, Texture control | Cobalt alloy builds, Multi-tooth thinning options, Handle… |
| Founded | — | 2006 | 1946 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
5 answers you can open one at a timeIs Hien a Japanese scissor brand?
Yes. Hien is a Japanese brand operated by Dowa International Co., Ltd., based in the Adachi ward of Tokyo, and its shears are made in Japan.
What types of scissors does Hien make?
Hien’s range covers cutting shears, thinning shears, and left-handed models, so left-handed stylists can get the same designs in a mirror-image build.
What steel does Hien use?
How much do Hien scissors cost?
Guide prices for the three Hien models stay between US$300 and US$380, mid-range money for professional shears made in Japan.
Where can I buy Hien scissors?
Hien sells direct through its own online shop and through Rakuten, rather than relying on traveling sales reps, so you can research and order online.
Ratings & reviews
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