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
Considerations & Trade-offs
Steel & Edge Performance
UTSUMI from Osaka is a terminology pioneer — they coined both カット率 (cut rate, the industry standard metric for thinning percentage) and スライド率 (slide rate) for cutting scissors. Their セニカ (Senika) is a patented thinning shear with a cutting blade at the tip. They also pioneered both-comb thinning (両クシ) where both blades have teeth, eliminating contact lines for the softest thinning result. UTSUMI's innovation is in blade design and cutting mechanics rather than exotic steel grades.
Value Assessment
UTSUMI sits in the mid-to-premium tier. Their value comes from genuine engineering innovation (patented designs, industry-standard terminology they created) rather than premium materials. For stylists who do significant thinning and texturizing work, UTSUMI's specialized blade designs may offer performance advantages that no amount of premium steel can replicate — the tool geometry matters as much as the material.
Service & Support
UTSUMI scissors use standard Japanese steels serviceable by any qualified sharpener. The both-comb thinning shears have a unique blade configuration that sharpeners should be aware of.
Best For
- Stylists who do heavy thinning and texturizing work — UTSUMI's specialization
- Those interested in the engineering behind cut rate and slide rate metrics
- Professionals who value functional innovation over steel grade prestige
Consider Alternatives If
- Buyers focused primarily on edge retention and steel hardness metrics
- Those seeking brand recognition outside Japan — UTSUMI is less known internationally
- Stylists who primarily do cutting rather than thinning/texturizing
Product Types
Specialties
Where to Buy
Official Brand Websites
Authorized Retailers
Products
How Utsumi Compares
| Brand | Utsumi | Jonetsu | TRACKS | NBAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan |
| Price Tier | Mid-Range | Mid-Range | Mid-Range | Mid-Range |
| Steel | — | — | — | — |
| Handles | — | — | — | — |
| Specialties | Blunt cut, Base cut, Slide cut (10-40%), Slide cut (80-90%), All-round thinning (20-25%), Finishing thinning (10-19%) | — | Dry cut, Chop cut, Slide cut, Stroke cut, Soft blunt cut, Blunt cut, Wet blunt cut, Volume control(18~25%), Texture control | — |
| Founded | 1987 | — | 2016 | — |
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.
