Joewell

Tokosha has made cutting tools since 1917, and Joewell has been its professional scissor name since 1975. The 41 Joewell models run 4.5 to 7.0 inches, from powder metal and CBA-1 cobalt models to supreme stainless workhorses, with guide prices between US$227 and US$800. Three left-handed pairs sit alongside the standard range.

History and Background

Joewell is the professional scissor brand of Tokosha Co., Ltd., founded in 1917 in Tokyo, Japan. With over 100 years of continuous operation, Joewell is one of the oldest dedicated hair scissor manufacturers still active today. The company headquarters remain in the Honkomagome district of Bunkyo ward, Tokyo.

Steel Tiers

Joewell organizes its scissors into three steel tiers. The top tier uses Powder Metal Alloy, produced through powder metallurgy for fine grain structure and edge retention. The middle tier uses Cobalt Base Alloy. The entry tier uses Special Stainless Steel.

Joewell states that the cobalt alloy wears differently from standard stainless steel and maintains sharpness through the way its edge erodes during use.

Manufacturing Process

Joewell’s production involves heating steel above 1000 degrees Celsius during forging, followed by ice hardening to minus 80 degrees Celsius. This extreme temperature range transforms the steel’s crystalline structure. The sub zero quench step is designed to convert retained austenite into martensite, which increases edge stability.

All Joewell models are ungezahnt, meaning non serrated with smooth blade edges. This is a deliberate design choice. Smooth blades enable slicing and slide cutting techniques that serrated edges cannot perform cleanly. Serrated blades grip hair and force a chopping action. Smooth convex blades allow hair to glide along the edge, giving the stylist more control over movement and texture.

Nickel Sensitivity and Titanium Options

Joewell’s 2016 material table lists CBA-1 blade nickel at ≤3%. Its material guide separately describes low-nickel stainless handles; that handle statement does not establish the blade composition. Ask for the exact model and parts covered. Cobalt itself can cause contact allergy, so cobalt-base does not establish allergy compatibility. See the CBA-1 reference for the composition and source context.

For stylists with nickel sensitivity, Joewell offers titanium coated models. The titanium layer puts a barrier between the steel and the skin without changing the blade underneath. Coatings wear at the rings and contact points, so check them and get clinical advice if you have a confirmed allergy.

Design Philosophy

Joewell’s master craftsmen hand finish each scissor. The company positions itself as focused on diverse cutting needs, producing models for blunt cutting, slide cutting, volume control, texture control, and combined cut and thin techniques. Tokosha keeps its head office in Tokyo and makes Joewell scissors at its factory in Iwate, and its product line reflects a commitment to the smooth blade tradition that defines Japanese scissor making.

URUSHI Series

Joewell also produces an URUSHI series. Urushi (漆) is traditional Japanese lacquer, and these models feature lacquered handles that combine functional grip with a distinctive aesthetic. The URUSHI line shows the company’s willingness to bring craft traditions from outside metalwork into its shear design.

See Also

Best Joewell scissors →