Kikui
菊井シザース
Who it suits
Kikui is a Japanese scissors manufacturer founded in 1953 in Wakayama, known for durable, long-lasting professional styling shears.
Price position
$471–900 · tier 4 of 5
Profile completeness
8/9Profile coverage
- Models
- 9 catalogued
- Product types
- 2 documented
- Materials
- 2 documented
In 1973 Kikui developed what is cited as the world’s first cobalt-alloy styling scissors, and the Wakayama maker, founded in 1953 by Kiyoji Kikui, still builds its flagship line on a roughly 70 percent cobalt blade. Nine cutting and thinning models are hand-finished in Japan across 5.0 to 7.5 inch lengths with guide prices from $471 to $900.
About Kikui
Kikui is a Japanese scissors manufacturer founded in 1953. The company operates as Kikui Scissors Co., Ltd. and is headquartered in Wakayama, Japan. Kikui has been producing professional styling scissors for over 70 years.
Product Range
Kikui’s catalog includes cutting scissors and thinning scissors. Their specialties focus on slide cutting and thinning at two removal rates: 20 to 25% and 30 to 35%.
According to the company, their guiding philosophy is that styling scissors are tools first, and should be long lasting and easy to use. Kikui states that they pursue scissors with strong cutting performance alongside comfort and durability.
Availability
Kikui scissors are widely distributed across North America and Japan. Retailers carrying the brand include Shear Integrity, Scissor Dude, Begley Schmit, SalonCentric, LA Shear, Takano (Canada), and Scissors Shop Hayashi in Japan. The brand also sells through their own website.
This retailer network gives Kikui broad availability in the US professional shear market.
Heritage
Founded in 1953, Kikui is one of the longer running Japanese scissors manufacturers. The company describes their work as the pursuit of refined design and lasting quality over the course of more than six decades of continuous production.
Sources
- Kikui brand profile and manufacturer statements (scissors.co.jp)
See Also
Where to Buy
Kikui at a glance
- Budget
- Premium $400–800
- Makes
- Cutting Scissors, Thinning Scissors
- Based in
- Japan
- Catalogue
- 9 models listed
- Established
- 1953
Product Types
Specialties
Materials & Construction
The steel, edges, and handle styles Kikui works in:
Where to Buy
Official Brand Websites
Authorized Retailers
Retailers stocking Kikui
ScissorPedia catalogues 7 retailers carrying Kikui.
- TAKANO Online store — Canada
- Scissors shop Hayashi Online store — Japan
- Begley Schmit Online store — USA · ships to USA
- LA SHEAR Online store — USA
- SalonCentric Online store — USA · ships to USA, Canada
- SCISSOR Dude Online store — USA · ships to USA
- SHEAR INTEGRITY Online store — USA · ships to USA
The range, at a glance
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Product photos from the ScissorPedia catalogue; see each product page for provenance.
Products
Articles About Kikui
How Kikui compares
Same listed origin, adjacent price tier. Rows tinted brass differ; "—" means the field is not documented yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
6 answers you can open one at a timeIs Kikui a Japanese scissor brand?
Yes. Kiyoji Kikui started the company in 1953, and its base is in Wakayama. Trading as Kikui Scissors Co., Ltd., it hand-finishes its shears in Japan.
What is Kikui best known for?
Kikui developed cobalt-alloy styling scissors back in 1973, cited as the world’s first cobalt scissors. Today the catalogue spans cutting and thinning shears, with a focus on slide cutting and two thinning rates of 20-25% and 30-35%.
What steel do Kikui scissors use?
Kikui’s flagship line is built from a Cobalt Alloy with roughly 70% cobalt, and the brand also makes a forged stainless steel range. The high-cobalt blades are non-magnetic and highly rust-resistant.
How much do Kikui scissors cost?
At guide prices, Kikui’s 9 models span $471 to $900. The forged stainless line opens the range; the cobalt models start at $700 and reflect the in-house, hand-finished build.
Where can I buy Kikui scissors?
Kikui sells through its own site at scissors.co.jp and through professional retailers across North America and Japan, including SalonCentric, LA Shear, Scissor Dude, and Takano in Canada.
What sizes do Kikui scissors come in?
Kikui models run from 5.0 inch to 7.5 inch. The Cobalt Standard cutting line covers 5.0 to 7.0 inch, while the Cobalt Power line runs long, up to 7.5 inch for over-comb work.
Ratings & reviews
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