TOGINON

Planning, development, manufacturing, sales, and maintenance all happen in-house at TOGINON, by its own account. Founded in 1980 with its head office and factory in Seki, Gifu, the company builds its range on a proprietary cobalt powder steel. The 36 catalogued models run 5.2 to 7.0 inches, with guide prices from $77 to $640.

Manufacturing and Sharpening

What sets TOGINON apart from most shear manufacturers is the scale of its sharpening and maintenance operation. According to the company, TOGINON sharpens over 100,000 shears annually, making it one of Japan’s largest sharpening volume operations. This is not limited to their own products. TOGINON offers sharpening and maintenance services for shears from any manufacturer, a practice rooted in their philosophy of extending the working life of quality tools.

The company sells directly to stylists through a face to face sales system and provides a long term free maintenance program for shears purchased through their sales network.

Patented Technology

TOGINON holds patents in Japan, the United States, and Germany. Two of their most recognized innovations are the “Queen Thinning Series” and the “Oil-Free Oilless Contact Point System,” which eliminates the need for traditional pivot oiling. According to TOGINON, the oilless system reduces maintenance demands while preserving smooth blade action over time.

Product Range

TOGINON’s lineup includes cutting shears, thinning shears, and left-handed models. The company also manufactures kitchen knives for professional chefs, reflecting their broader identity as a blade specialty company rather than a shears only operation.

Direct Sales System

TOGINON sells its shears through a face to face sales network rather than through traditional distributor channels. Company representatives meet with stylists directly, which allows for hands on demonstration and fitting. This sales model is more common in the Japanese domestic market than it is in the US, where most shears are sold through catalogs, trade shows, or online retailers.

Shears purchased through TOGINON’s direct sales network come with a long term free maintenance program. This means the company handles sharpening and adjustments at no additional cost, keeping each pair in working condition over its lifetime. The combination of direct sales and ongoing maintenance creates a relationship between manufacturer and stylist that goes well beyond a single transaction.

International Presence

TOGINON holds patents not only in Japan but also in the United States and Germany, indicating that the company has pursued intellectual property protection in major markets outside its home country. Their shears are carried by international retailers including Scissor Story (South Korea) and Refun (Japan based resale platform).

See Also

Best TOGINON scissors →

Where to Buy

Refun → SCISSOR STORY →