Utsumi
内海
- Japan
- Est. 1987
-
Budget Luxury
Utsumi is a Japanese scissor manufacturer founded in 1987, pioneering CNC shear production and known for innovative double-bladed thinning shears.
About UtsumiUtsumi 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...
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 sits in the mid range price tier but carries significant heritage and technical credibility. 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
Product Types
Specialties
Where to Buy
Official Brand Websites
Authorized Retailers
Retailers stocking Utsumi
ScissorPedia catalogues 2 retailers carrying Utsumi.
- Scissors shop Hayashi — Japan
- SHEAR INTEGRITY — USA · ships to USA
Products
How Utsumi Compares
| Brand | Utsumi | S-Gate | Hineta | Juntetsu |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan |
| Price Tier | Mid-Range | Mid-Range | Mid-Range | Premium |
| Steel | — | — | — | VG-10, Cobalt Alloy, Japanese Stainless Steel |
| Handles | — | — | — | Offset, Crane, Swivel |
| Specialties | Blunt cut, Base cut, Slide cut (10-40%), Slide cut (80-90%), All-round thinning (20-25%), Finishing thinning (10-19%) | Thinning(20-50%), Wet cut, Dry cut, Blunt cut, Stroke cut, Slide cut, Chop cut, Effect cut, Volume control | Blunt cut, Slide cut, Stroke cut, Volume control(15~25%), Texture control, Base cut | Blunt cut, Slide cut, Point cut, Precision cut, Texturizing, Scissor-over-comb, Layering, Slicing |
| Founded | 1987 | 2009 | — | 2000s |
Verified Sources
- Primary 🇯🇵 内海 (UTSUMI) — Brand Page (manufacturer official)
Frequently Asked Questions
Utsumi scissors are manufactured in Japan, established in 1987 in CA 92614.
Utsumi scissors are in the mid-range price tier ($150–$350). At this price point, they compete with Alu-Coba, Axis, BMC. Value depends on your cutting volume, technique preferences, and maintenance habits.
Utsumi specializes in Blunt cut, Base cut, Slide cut (10-40%), Slide cut (80-90%), All-round thinning (20-25%), and 1 more.
