Utsumi
内海
About Utsumi
In brief
Utsumi is a Japanese scissor manufacturer founded in 1987, pioneering CNC shear production and known for innovative double-bladed thinning shears.
Cutting Scissors · Thinning Scissors 5.5–7.0 in
Profile updated Apr 2026 · 1 sources
Price
US$900–1,200Price band US$800+ · LuxuryTypical documented price, not a quoteWhere to buy
2 retailersBuying routes
Where to buy Utsumi
Retailers ScissorPedia has cataloged. Prices and stock are on each store’s site.
US & Canada 1 retailer
Japan 2 retailers
Maker’s own dealer information: official site ↗
Catalog map
The Utsumi range
5 models · 5.5–7.0 in
Cutting Scissors 5 models US$900–1,200Price band US$800+ · Luxury
- Utsumi UMIX MX Damascus Cutting Scissors US$1,200
- Utsumi U&U ER Cutting Scissors US$940
- Utsumi U&U NY DRYCUT Cutting Scissors US$950
2 more models are listed in the full catalog below.
By the company’s account, Utsumi founder Chimaki Utsumi was the first person in the world to produce professional shears using CNC machining; he started the Osaka scissor maker in 1987. Five cutters are listed at US$900 to US$1,200 guide prices, 5.5 to 7.0 inches long. Before that, his work behind the Tenyo barber shears earned him the industry nickname Mr. Tenyo, and the company later bought the Tenyo factory.
About Utsumi
Utsumi is a Japanese scissor manufacturer founded in 1987 by Chimaki Utsumi. The company is based in Japan with a U.S. operation, Utsumi America, located in Irvine, California. Before starting his own company, Chimaki Utsumi was widely known as the person behind the Tenyo barber shears, earning him the nickname “Mr. Tenyo” in the industry.
Heritage
Utsumi has a significant history of technical firsts. According to the company, Chimaki Utsumi was the first person in the world to produce professional shears using Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) technology. This led to the creation of brands like U&U and NOVA under the Utsumi umbrella.
In 1994, Utsumi developed a double bladed thinning shear in collaboration with leading hair stylists. This design became widely popular and remains in production. The company also produced a video series called “Let’s use thinning shears” that helped popularize thinning shears across Japan.
Utsumi later acquired the Tenyo factory (founded in 1946), which allowed the company to combine modern CNC methods with traditional handmade techniques. This brought brands like Jyo-Utopia and Nova into the Utsumi product family.
U.S. Operations
In 1998, Utsumi purchased B.W. Boyd Shears Inc., a California company that had been distributing Japanese shears since 1976. The resulting company, Utsumi America, operates under the B.W. Boyd Shears trade name and is led by CEO Kazumi “Christy” Hagino.
Utsumi America participates in conventions and trade shows across the country, runs seminars on their product line and proper shear maintenance, and offers sharpening services performed by technicians trained at the Utsumi factory in Japan.
Product Range
Utsumi produces cutting scissors and thinning scissors. Their specialties include blunt cut, base cut, slide cut (at both 10 to 40% and 80 to 90% ranges), all round thinning (20 to 25%), and finishing thinning (10 to 19%). The company has exhibited at Hair World trade shows in Japan, England, and the United States since 1990.
Market Positioning
Utsumi models carry guide prices from US$900 to US$1,200, at the upper end of the professional market. For American stylists, the Irvine based Utsumi America office provides direct access to the brand, along with sharpening and education. The brand is also carried by Shear Integrity and Scissors Shop Hayashi.
Sources
- Utsumi America official website: utsumiamerica.com
- Utsumi Japan official website: uu-utsumi.co.jp
See Also
How Utsumi compares
Similar origin and adjacent price band. Brass rows differ; “—” means the field is not documented yet.
| Spec | UtsumiUtsumi | AlphaAlpha | AuroAuro | bmacbmac |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan |
| Typical price | US$900–1,200Price band US$800+ · Luxury | US$514–1,207Price band US$400–800 · Premium | US$424–499Price band US$400–800 · Premium | US$390–3,200Price band US$800+ · Luxury |
| Steel | Japanese steel | SG2 | Cobalt Alloy | VG-10, Super Gold II |
| Edge type | — | — | Straight | — |
| Handles | — | — | Offset, Straight, Crane | — |
| Left-handed | — | — | — | 2 models |
| Thinning | — | 1 models | 2 models | 9 models |
| Specialties | Blunt cut, Base cut, Slide cut, All-round thinning, Finis… | Volume control, Slide cut, Stroke cut, Blunt cut, Texture… | Cobalt alloy builds, Multi-tooth thinning options, Handle… | Blunt cut, Slide cut, Dry cut, Texturizing, Blending, Cre… |
| Founded | 1987 | 2006 | — | 2002 |
Sources
- 🇯🇵 内海 (UTSUMI) — Brand Page (manufacturer official)
Frequently Asked Questions
7 answers you can open one at a timeIs Utsumi a Japanese scissor brand?
Yes. Chimaki Utsumi founded the firm in 1987, and it works from Settsu City, Osaka. Its shears are hand made in Japan.
What is Utsumi best known for?
Thinning and texturizing innovation. Utsumi developed a double-bladed thinning shear in 1994 and is credited as the first to produce professional shears using CNC machining.
What types of scissors does Utsumi make?
Utsumi makes both cutting and thinning scissors, with specialties spanning blunt cut, base cut, slide cut, and all-round and finishing thinning.
What lengths do Utsumi shears come in?
The range runs 5.5 to 7.0 inches. The UMIX MX Damascus spans 5.5 to 7.0 inch, the USSX comes in 6.5 and 7.0 inch, the ER in 6.2 and 7.0 inch, and the NY DRYCUT and Slide Control are 6.0 inch.
Who is Utsumi for?
Stylists who do a lot of thinning and texturizing work, where Utsumi’s specialized blade designs are the main draw, and anyone who values functional engineering over steel-grade prestige.
How much do Utsumi scissors cost?
Guide prices begin at US$900 with the U&U USSX, step to US$940 for the ER and US$950 for the NY DRYCUT and Slide Control, and finish at US$1,200 with the UMIX MX Damascus. That accounts for all 5 models.
Where can I buy Utsumi scissors in the US?
Utsumi runs a US operation, Utsumi America, based in Irvine, California, which also handles sharpening and education for the line.
Ratings & reviews
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