Mina

Overview

Mina is a Japanese scissors brand headquartered in the Ginza district of Tokyo, established in the 2010s with a clear mission: make genuine Japanese professional scissors accessible to every stylist, barber, student, and apprentice. The brand occupies the entry professional tier, producing hot-forged stainless steel shears that deliver a real professional cutting experience at the lowest price point in the Japanese scissors market.

Every pair of Mina scissors goes through a traditional manufacturing process — hot forging the steel blanks, followed by hand polishing and artisan sharpening. This is the same fundamental approach used by premium Japanese makers, applied to a more accessible steel grade. The result is a professional tool that performs well above what most stylists expect at this price.

Mina ships worldwide through its official site and a network of authorized retailers across the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.

Manufacturing and Steel

Mina uses Japanese stainless steel (440C grade equivalent) processed through hot forging. Hot forging compresses the steel under heat and pressure, which refines the grain structure and produces a stronger, more uniform blade than stamping or casting methods.

After forging, each pair is:

1. Ground to the correct blade geometry
2. Heat treated for hardness and edge retention
3. Hand polished for a smooth surface finish
4. Sharpened by artisan blade smiths to a convex edge

The 440C stainless steel used by Mina provides a Rockwell hardness of approximately HRC 58-60. This is slightly softer than VG-10 (HRC 60-62), which means the edge will need refreshing more frequently. However, 440C is also tougher and more forgiving — it resists chipping from accidental drops better than harder steels, making it a practical choice for training environments and busy salon floors.

Product Range

Mina offers 31 models across cutting scissors, thinning scissors, sets, and barber-specific options. The range spans budget (tier 2) to affordable (tier 3), with a few value-tier (tier 4) premium configurations.

Cutting Scissors (10 models): Core salon shears in offset and crane configurations, with blade lengths from 5.5 to 7.0 inches. The range includes both standard salon sizes and longer barbering lengths.

Thinning Scissors (7 models): Tooth count options for different texturizing needs, from moderate blending to aggressive bulk removal.

Scissor Sets (14 models): Pre-matched cutting and thinning pairs. This is Mina’s largest category, reflecting the brand’s understanding that their target customer — students, new professionals, and value-focused stylists — benefits most from buying a complete kit at once.

Key Collections

Sakura — Mina’s signature line. The Sakura series embodies the brand’s philosophy: clean, functional Japanese scissors at an accessible price. Available as individual cutting scissors, thinning scissors, and matched sets. The rose-gold finish adds visual appeal without inflating the price.

Black Diamond — A step up from the entry models with enhanced finishing and a distinctive black coating. The Black Diamond series uses the same Japanese stainless steel but with additional surface treatment for improved durability and a premium feel.

Matte Black — A popular aesthetic choice with a subdued matte titanium coating. Reduces glare under salon lighting and adds surface hardness to the blade.

Barber Shears — Longer blade options (6.5-7.0 inch) designed for barbering techniques. Available in black, purple, and red finishes. Built for scissor-over-comb work and longer cutting strokes.

Umi — A versatile all-rounder that many stylists choose as their primary Mina scissors. Clean offset handle design with reliable performance across all basic cutting techniques.

Who Mina Is For

Mina fills a specific and important role in the professional scissors market:

• Cosmetology and barber students who need professional tools at a price that makes sense during training — this is Mina’s primary audience
• Apprentices building their first salon kit without taking on debt
• Working stylists who want a reliable backup pair or a dedicated chemical-service scissors (for use during coloring where premium steel is at risk of chemical exposure)
• New professionals in their first 1-2 years who are still developing their technique and handle preferences before investing in premium steel
• Salon owners equipping training stations or providing house scissors for junior staff
• Home users who want genuine professional quality for personal grooming

The Upgrade Path

Many Mina customers eventually upgrade to higher-tier Japanese scissors as their career develops. The natural progression is:

1. Start with Mina — Learn proper technique with genuine Japanese professional scissors
2. Upgrade to Ichiro or mid-range Juntetsu — Step up to VG-10 steel for better edge retention once you know your preferred handle style and blade length
3. Invest in premium Juntetsu, Kasho, or Joewell — Move to cobalt alloy or advanced steel when your skills and client volume justify the investment

This progression means many professionals maintain a relationship with the same retailer network throughout their career, which simplifies warranty support and sharpening coordination.

Sources

• Mina Scissors official website: minascissors.com
• Product specifications from authorized retailer listings
• Manufacturing process details from brand documentation