TONDEO
United Salon Technologies GmbH
About TONDEO
In brief
TONDEO is a German scissor manufacturer founded in 1928 in Solingen, known for Damascus steel production and CONBLADE precision technology.
Cutting Scissors · Thinning Scissors · Left-Handed Scissors 5.5–7.0 in
Profile updated Apr 2026
Price
US$100–1,179Price band US$400–800 · PremiumTypical documented price, not a quoteWhere to buy
6 retailers- Scissor City (opens in a new tab)
- DIRECT HARIDRESSING SCISSORS (opens in a new tab)
- yoiscissors.co.uk (opens in a new tab)
- SalonCentric (opens in a new tab)
- TONDEO NORTH AMERICA (opens in a new tab)
- Williamsport Bowman (opens in a new tab)
Buying routes
Where to buy TONDEO
Retailers ScissorPedia has catalogued. Prices and stock are on each store’s site.
New Zealand 1 retailer
UK & Ireland 2 retailers
US & Canada 3 retailers
Maker’s own dealer information: official site ↗
Catalogue map
The TONDEO range
23 models · 5.5–7.0 in
Cutting Scissors 15 models US$100–1,799Price band US$100–200 · Entry-level
- Tondeo A-Line Spots Offset US$100
- Tondeo Craene Offset US$563
- Tondeo Earl Offset Conblade US$550
12 more models are listed in the full catalogue below.
Thinning Scissors 4 models US$647–755Price band US$400–800 · Premium
- Tondeo Countess Offset Tulip Conblade US$647
- Tondeo Orgaenic Offset Tulip Conblade US$662
- Tondeo Supra Doppeleffi US$755
1 more models are listed in the full catalogue below.
Scissor Set 2 models US$395Price band US$200–400 · Mid-range
Texturizing Scissors 2 models US$500–1,179Price band US$800+ · Luxury
- Tondeo Pure Inspiration Offset Tulip US$1,179
- Tondeo Supra Textura 15 US$500
Pictured models
All 23 TONDEO model names
- Tondeo A-Line Spots Offset
- Tondeo Countess Offset Tulip Conblade
- Tondeo Craene Offset
- Tondeo Earl Offset Conblade
- Tondeo Element Offset
- Tondeo Gera Offset
- Tondeo Expert Collection Man Box
- Tondeo Mythos Damast Offset Conblade
- Tondeo Mythos Offset Conblade
- Tondeo Orgaenic Offset Tulip Conblade
- Tondeo Pure Inspiration Offset Tulip
- Tondeo Selection Offset
- Tondeo Sensation Damast Offset Conblade
- Tondeo Seven Offset
- Tondeo Expert Collection Slim Box
- Tondeo Supra Doppeleffi
- Tondeo Supra Fasson Classic Tulip Thinning
- Tondeo Supra Textura 15
- Tondeo Supra Offset Conblade
- Tondeo Thor Damast Offset Conblade
- Tondeo Unique Offset
- Tondeo Victory Offset
- Tondeo Zentao Offset
Two years short of a century in Solingen, TONDEO has made shears in the German blade city since 1928. The 23 models span Niolox, vanadium steel, and Damascus builds from 5.0 to 7.0 inches, including two matched sets, with guide prices from US$100 to US$1,799. Thinners and texturizers fill out the count.
Company Background
TONDEO was founded in 1928 in Solingen, Germany. That makes the company one of the longest running scissor manufacturers in a city that has been synonymous with blademaking for over 600 years. The “Made in Solingen” designation is legally protected. Only products manufactured within the city boundaries according to specific quality standards may carry it. TONDEO’s shears qualify for this mark, and the company’s flagship THOR DAMAST model carries the historic “Me Fecit Solingen” label, a seal of quality that dates back to the medieval period when it was engraved on swords and rapiers.
TONDEO is part of the United Salon Technologies GmbH group, which also includes Jaguar. United Salon Technologies has been part of Certina Holding AG since 2021, though the two brands operate as separate product lines with distinct positioning. Where Jaguar focuses on high volume professional production (around 3,000 shears per day), TONDEO occupies the premium end with more emphasis on precision engineering and advanced blade technology.
Key Technologies
TONDEO has developed several proprietary systems that distinguish their shears from other Solingen manufacturers.
CONBLADE Technology. This is TONDEO’s approach to precision blade geometry. According to TONDEO, the CONBLADE process uses CNC machining to achieve exacting tolerances on the blade profile. CNC (computer numerical control) manufacturing allows for repeatable precision at a level that hand grinding alone cannot match, while the final finishing is still done by Solingen craftsmen.
Ball-Gliding Screw System. TONDEO’s pivot mechanism uses a ball gliding design that reduces friction between the blades during the open and close action. The result, according to the manufacturer, is a smoother feel and less hand fatigue over a long day of cutting.
Niolox Steel. TONDEO’s premium non-Damascus models use Niolox, a nitrogen-alloyed stainless tool steel patented in Germany. Nitrogen replaces some of the carbon in the steel matrix, producing very fine and evenly distributed nitride particles rather than the larger chromium carbides found in conventional stainless. This gives Niolox a combination of high hardness, excellent corrosion resistance, and fine grain structure. Niolox-equipped TONDEO scissors require a sharpener experienced with high-hardness tool steels.
Damascus Steel Production. TONDEO’s top tier models use Damascus steel, which involves layering and folding multiple types of steel to create both a distinctive visual pattern and a blade with the properties of its component metals. According to TONDEO, each pair goes through over 150 individual production steps.
Handle Geometry System. TONDEO offers four handle geometries: Classic (symmetrical), Chiro (offset for a neutral wrist position), Ergonomic (angled to reduce strain), and Crane (an extreme offset). Stylists can match the handle to their cutting posture and technique.
Scherenwissen: Educational Resources
TONDEO maintains a section on their website called “Scherenwissen,” which translates to “Scissor Knowledge.” This educational hub covers four scissor forms, blade technology, and tooth patterns for thinning shears. For American stylists who may not be familiar with German manufacturing conventions, the Scherenwissen section is a useful resource for understanding how Solingen shears differ from Japanese models in areas like blade grind and steel hardness.
Market Position
TONDEO is consistently listed among the top professional scissor brands in European markets. French trade sources rank them as one of the top five brands alongside Takai, Jaguar, Joewell, and Dune. In the German domestic market, TONDEO carries particular prestige due to its Solingen heritage and 90 plus years of continuous production.
For American stylists, TONDEO distributes through TONDEO North America. Their shears occupy the premium tier and are carried by professional suppliers including SalonCentric.
TONDEO’s specialties cover point cutting, slide cutting, blunt cutting, texture control, and barrel cutting. The barrel cut technique in particular is associated with TONDEO’s blade geometry, which the company has optimized for rounded layering effects.
Sources
- TONDEO official website: tondeo.com
- TONDEO North America: tondeonorthamerica.com
- French trade publication brand rankings
See Also
How TONDEO compares
Similar origin and adjacent price band. Brass rows differ; “—” means the field is not documented yet.
| Spec | TONDEOTONDEO | EKSEKS | NicNic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Germany | Germany | Germany |
| Typical price | US$100–1,179Price band US$400–800 · Premium | Price not documented | US$549–999Price band US$400–800 · Premium |
| Steel | Niolox, Vanadium Steel, Damascus | — | Cobalt, Stainless steel |
| Edge type | — | — | — |
| Handles | — | — | — |
| Left-handed | — | — | — |
| Thinning | 6 models | 2 models | — |
| Specialties | Point cut, Slide cut, Blunt cut, Texture control, Barrel … | — | — |
| Founded | 1928 | — | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
7 answers you can open one at a timeWhere are TONDEO scissors made?
TONDEO is a German maker founded in 1928 and based in Solingen, the city long associated with blademaking. Its shears are made in Solingen and qualify for the protected Made in Solingen designation.
Who is behind the TONDEO brand?
TONDEO is part of United Salon Technologies GmbH, the Solingen group that also includes Jaguar. The two run as separate product lines, with TONDEO sitting at the premium end.
How much do TONDEO scissors cost?
Guide prices on the 23 TONDEO models run from US$100 to US$1,799 across the range, from entry pairs to the premium Solingen lines.
What sizes do TONDEO scissors come in?
The spread goes 5.0 to 7.0 inches, two matched sets and two texturizers included.
Does TONDEO use Damascus steel?
Yes. TONDEO’s top-tier models use layered Damascus steel, formed by folding multiple steel types into a single blade.
Are TONDEO scissors good for precision cutting?
They are built for it. TONDEO specialises in point cut, slide cut, blunt cut, barrel cut, and texture control, and its CONBLADE blade geometry is aimed at clean, controlled contact through the cut.
Does TONDEO make left-handed scissors?
Yes. Alongside cutting and thinning shears, TONDEO produces left-handed models so left-handed stylists can match the brand’s range.
Ratings & reviews
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