Kyoto
- Japan
-
Budget Luxury
Kyoto is an economy-priced professional shear brand sold through US and UK retailers, offering cutting and thinning scissors from $195.
Twice tempered, then hand-honed to a convex edge: that is how Kyoto builds its US-market GJ, GT, and GV series, forged from 440C stainless steel. The brand, owned by Dowa International, suits students, apprentices, and stylists wanting a backup pair; the four models catalogued here run $195 to $200 at...
Twice tempered, then hand-honed to a convex edge: that is how Kyoto builds its US-market GJ, GT, and GV series, forged from 440C stainless steel. The brand, owned by Dowa International, suits students, apprentices, and stylists wanting a backup pair; the four models catalogued here run $195 to $200 at guide prices, 5.5 to 7.0 inches, with swivel handles in the GV line.
Brand Background
Kyoto is a professional hairdressing shear brand distributed through multiple US and UK retailers. The brand is carried by Dowa International, SHEAR INTEGRITY, Scissor Dude, Tricut, Dynamic Sharpening LLC, and Direct Hairdressing Scissors, among others. Kyoto is not to be confused with Kyoto Hasami Shokunin, which is a separate, independent Japanese shear maker based in Kyoto Prefecture.
Product Range
Kyoto’s lineup includes several distinct series. The GJ, GM, GV, and GT series cover standard cutting shears in sizes from 5.0 to 8.0 inches. The GV line includes swivel and double swivel handle models. The brand also offers thinning shears and left handed options. Retailers describe the line as “economy priced,” with most models falling between $195 and $250 in the US market and between 60 and 130 GBP in the UK.
Market Position
Kyoto occupies the entry level to mid range segment of the professional shear market. The pricing makes these shears accessible to cosmetology students, apprentices, and working stylists looking for a reliable backup pair. The brand’s wide availability through established professional retailers suggests steady demand at this price tier.
Distribution
In the US, Kyoto shears are stocked by specialty shear retailers including SHEAR INTEGRITY, Scissor Dude, Tricut, and Dynamic Sharpening LLC. In the UK, Dowa International and Direct Hairdressing Scissors carry the line. This distribution pattern across both markets gives the brand broad accessibility for professional buyers on either side of the Atlantic.
Sources
- Retailer product listings: SHEAR INTEGRITY, Scissor Dude, Tricut, Dowa International
- Dynamic Sharpening LLC product catalog
See Also
Where to Buy
DIRECT HAIRDRESSING SCISSORS → DOWA INTERNATIONAL → Dynamic SHARPENING LLC →
Kyoto at a glance
- Budget
- Entry-level $100–200
- Based in
- Japan
- Catalogue
- 4 models listed
Materials & Construction
The steel, edges, and handle styles Kyoto works in:
Where to Buy
Authorized Retailers
Retailers stocking Kyoto
ScissorPedia catalogues 6 retailers carrying Kyoto.
- DIRECT HAIRDRESSING SCISSORS — UK
- DOWA INTERNATIONAL — UK
- Dynamic SHARPENING LLC — USA · ships to USA
- SCISSOR Dude — USA · ships to USA
- SHEAR INTEGRITY — USA · ships to USA
- tricut.com — USA · ships to USA, Worldwide (free US shipping)
Products
How Kyoto Compares
| Brand | Kyoto | Juntetsu | Ichiro | Hien |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan |
| Typical price | US$195–US$200 | US$129–US$586 | US$116–US$443 | US$300–US$380 |
| Steel | 440C | VG-10, Cobalt Alloy, 440C | 440C, VG-10, ATS-314 | 440C, Cobalt (ATS314), Cobalt (VG10), Damascus |
| Blade types | — | Convex Edge, Semi-Convex Edge | Convex Edge, Semi-Convex Edge | Convex |
| Handles | Offset, Swivel | Offset, Crane, Swivel | Offset, Crane | Offset |
| Specialties | — | Blunt cut, Slide cut, Point cut, Precision cut, Texturizing, Scissor-over-comb, Layering, Slicing | Blunt cut, Slide cut, Point cut, Volume control, Texture control, Cut & Thinning | 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 |
| Known for | — | Ultralight Aero Pro shears in aluminum-cobalt alloy | — | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Kyoto is a Japan-based shear brand owned by Dowa International Co., Ltd., which positions the line around traditional Japanese craftsmanship.
Kyoto’s US-market GJ, GT, and GV series are forged from 440C stainless steel, twice tempered with a hand-honed convex edge.
Kyoto’s four catalogued models are tightly priced, $195 to $200 at guide prices, which keeps the line within reach for students, apprentices, and stylists wanting a dependable second pair.
They suit cosmetology students, apprentices, and working stylists who want a reliable economy-priced shear, with cutting, thinning, and swivel-handle options to choose from.
Yes. The GJ cutting series is offered in a left-handed version alongside the right-handed model.
Kyoto is stocked by specialist shear retailers in the US and UK, including Shear Integrity, Scissor Dude, Tricut, and Dynamic Sharpening, as well as Dowa International directly.
Ratings & reviews
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