Niigata
- Japan
-
Budget Luxury
Niigata is a Japanese scissor brand named after the historic metalworking prefecture, available through US retailers Scissor Mall and Dynamic.
Two models carry the Niigata line: the 1000, in powder-metallurgy SG2 with a convex, hollow-ground edge and crane handle, and the 2000, an ATS-314 build with a sword-blade design. The Japanese brand takes its name from Niigata Prefecture, a region with centuries of forging history around Sanjo; in the US,...
Two models carry the Niigata line: the 1000, in powder-metallurgy SG2 with a convex, hollow-ground edge and crane handle, and the 2000, an ATS-314 build with a sword-blade design. The Japanese brand takes its name from Niigata Prefecture, a region with centuries of forging history around Sanjo; in the US, Scissor Mall and Dynamic Sharpening carry current models and pricing.
Specifications & Availability
For current models, steel, and pricing, Scissor Mall serves as the authoritative source.
Niigata scissors are currently carried by Scissor Mall and Dynamic Sharpening LLC in the United States.
Steel and construction
The two-model range spans distinct positions in the Japanese professional steel hierarchy. The 1000 uses Super Gold 2 (SG2), a powder-metallurgy grade that achieves high Rockwell hardness and holds its edge considerably longer than standard 440C — a specification suited to stylists running high-volume dry sessions where edge longevity matters most. The SG2 build pairs with a crane handle, which is the preferred configuration for stylists who cut with a relaxed thumb position to reduce wrist load. The 2000 uses ATS-314, a premium Japanese stainless grade known for high corrosion resistance and edge retention, finished in a sword-blade design suited to point-cutting and precise tip control.
Niigata Prefecture, which the brand name references, includes Sanjo, one of Japan’s five established cutlery districts, with a forging tradition dating back several centuries. That regional connection anchors the brand’s Japanese manufacturing identity without a specific workshop currently on the public record.
Help Us Fill In the Gaps
If you work for Niigata, distribute their products, or have firsthand experience with the brand, we would appreciate any corrections or details you can share. Please reach out through our contact page.
Where to Buy
Dynamic SHARPENING LLC → SCISSOR MALL →
See Also
Niigata at a glance
- Budget
- Mid-range $200–400
- Based in
- Japan
- Catalogue
- 2 models listed
Materials & Construction
The steel, edges, and handle styles Niigata works in:
Where to Buy
Authorized Retailers
Retailers stocking Niigata
ScissorPedia catalogues 2 retailers carrying Niigata.
- Dynamic SHARPENING LLC — USA · ships to USA
- SCISSOR MALL — USA · ships to USA
Products
How Niigata Compares
| Brand | Niigata | DOWA | Ichiro | Kamisori |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan |
| Typical price | Mid-range | US$250–US$350 | US$116–US$443 | US$97–US$1,624 |
| Steel | Super Gold 2 (SG2), ATS-314 | ATS-314, Damascus | 440C, VG-10, ATS-314 | ATS-314, VG-10, VG-1, 440C, Takefu Cobalt, Damascus |
| Blade types | — | Convex, Sword | Convex Edge, Semi-Convex Edge | Convex Edge |
| Handles | — | Offset | Offset, Crane | Offset, Crane, Swivel, Double Swivel |
| Specialties | — | Blunt cut, Volume control, Texture control, Cut & Thinning | Blunt cut, Slide cut, Point cut, Volume control, Texture control, Cut & Thinning | Blunt cut, Slide cut, Point cut, Precision cut, Texturizing, Scissor-over-comb, Layering, Slicing |
| Known for | — | — | — | Signature KAMISORI ATS-314 Japanese cobalt steel blades |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Niigata is a Japanese hair-shear line that takes its name from Niigata Prefecture, a region with deep metalworking roots. Its models are forged in Japan by master craftsmen.
The core range is the Niigata 1000 and the Niigata 2000. The 1000 uses a convex, hollow-ground edge with a crane handle, while the 2000 has a sword-blade design.
The Niigata 1000 is built from powder-metallurgy Super Gold 2 (SG2), and the Niigata 2000 uses ATS-314.
Scissor Mall and Dynamic Sharpening LLC list current Niigata pricing in the US; ScissorPedia has no recorded guide prices for the 1000 or 2000 yet.
Niigata is carried by Scissor Mall and Dynamic Sharpening LLC in the United States, which list current models, sizes, and pricing.
Ratings & reviews
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