Washi
- USA
- Est. 1988
-
Budget Luxury
Washi is an American scissor brand founded in 1988 in Florida, using guaranteed Hitachi Japanese steel across its professional shear lineup.
Marc Milman founded Washi in 1988, and the Florida company still runs his shear line with blades made in Japan. ATS-314, VG-10, ATS-34, and V1 steels spread across the range; the 27 catalogued models run 5.0 to 7.0 inches at guide prices from $139 to $749. The Anti-Push edge is...
Marc Milman founded Washi in 1988, and the Florida company still runs his shear line with blades made in Japan. ATS-314, VG-10, ATS-34, and V1 steels spread across the range; the 27 catalogued models run 5.0 to 7.0 inches at guide prices from $139 to $749. The Anti-Push edge is the house signature.
About Washi
Washi is a U.S. based hair shear company founded in 1988 by Marc Milman. The company operates as Washi Scissor Company, headquartered in Hobe Sound, Florida. Washi positions itself as a provider of professional shears at fair prices.
Product Range
Washi produces cutting scissors, thinning scissors, and left-handed scissors. Their specialties are extensive: slide cutting, point cutting, scissor-over-comb work, blending, texturing, weight removal, volume control, texture control (10 to 20%), weave cutting, separation, and weight removal at 40%.
According to the company, their “Ultimate Shears” line is made from Hitachi Japanese steel. Washi states that they guarantee the authenticity of the Hitachi steel used in their products.
Availability
Washi scissors are sold through the company’s own website as well as through retailers including Stay Sharp Shears and Edgemaster International.
Heritage
Marc Milman started the Washi shear business in 1988, giving the company over 35 years in the industry. According to the brand, Washi has received the American Salon Professional’s Choice Award and the Launchpad Readers Choice Award across multiple consecutive years, recognition built with working professionals over its long history.
Sources
- Washi brand profile and manufacturer statements (washiscissor.com)
See Also
Product range overview
Twenty-seven Washi models are catalogued, spanning $139 to $749. The extensive catalogue covers a full professional range from accessible mid-entry builds through to upper-professional and high-end scissors, with cutting and thinning options across the price ladder. The $139–$749 spread makes Washi one of the more broadly positioned Japan-made scissor brands in the catalogue.
Where to Buy
Washi at a glance
- Budget
- Mid-range $200–400
- Makes
- Cutting Scissors, Thinning Scissors, Left-Handed Scissors
- Based in
- USA
- Catalogue
- 27 models listed
- Established
- 1988
Product Types
Specialties
Materials & Construction
The steel, edges, and handle styles Washi works in:
Where to Buy
Official Brand Websites
Authorized Retailers
Retailers stocking Washi
ScissorPedia catalogues 2 retailers carrying Washi.
- EDGEMASTER INTERNATIONAL — USA
- Stay SHARP — USA · ships to USA, Worldwide (free US shipping over $199)
Products
How Washi Compares
| Brand | Washi | VIA | Yasaka | Etaro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country | USA | USA | Japan | USA |
| Typical price | US$139–US$695 | US$270–US$380 | US$227–US$617 | US$249–US$450 |
| Steel | ATS-314, VG-10, ATS-34, V1 | Cobalt Alloy, VG-10, 440C | 440C, ATS-314, VG-10 | — |
| Blade types | Convex | Convex | Convex | Convex |
| Handles | Offset, Swivel | Offset | Offset, Classic, Semi-offset | Offset, Swivel, Crane |
| Specialties | Slide cut, Point cut, Scissor over comb, Blending, Texturing, Weight removal, Volume control, Texture control(10~20%), Weave cutting, Separation, Weight removal(40%) | Blunt cut, Slide cut, Precision dry cut, Wet cut, Facial trimming, Detailing, Blending, Thinning, Speed cut, Perimeter lines | — | Sculpting, Shaping, Finishing, Texturizing, Texturizing, No line demarcation cut, Line demarcation cut, Angle cutting |
| Founded | 1988 | 2000 | 1965 | 2011 |
| Known for | Founded 1988 by Marc Milman; built on Japanese Hitachi steel | — | Clam-shaped convex-edge blades, handcrafted in Nara, Japan | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Washi is a US-based shear company founded in 1988 by Marc Milman, run as the Washi Scissor Company out of Hobe Sound, Florida. Its shears are made in Japan.
Guide prices on the 27 catalogued Washi models run from $139 to $749 across the range.
Sizes start at 5.0 inches and stop at 7.0, and one true left-handed build, the Black Star Lefty, is among the catalogued models.
Yes. True left-handed builds such as the Black Star Lefty sit in the catalogue with the cutting and thinning shears.
Washi shears are built for slide cutting, point cutting, and scissor-over-comb work, with convex edges and an Anti-Push edge on its cutting models. The brand has also earned the American Salon Professional’s Choice and Launchpad Readers’ Choice awards across multiple consecutive years.
Ratings & reviews
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