Washou
TOA SCISSORS.CO.,LTD
About Washou
In brief
Washou is a Japanese scissor brand by TOA Scissors, manufactured in Seki City with specialized thinning models for different cutting phases.
Cutting Scissors · Thinning Scissors · Left-Handed Scissors 5.5–30 in
Profile updated Apr 2026
Price
US$500–590Price band US$400–800 · PremiumTypical documented price, not a quoteWhere to buy
1 retailerBuying routes
Where to buy Washou
Retailers ScissorPedia has catalogued. Prices and stock are on each store’s site.
US & Canada 1 retailer
Maker’s own dealer information: official site ↗
Catalogue map
The Washou range
34 models · 5.5–30 in
Thinning Scissors 8 models US$503–667Price band US$400–800 · Premium
- Washou ATS UD4 Thinning Scissors US$525
- Washou NKMT Thinning Scissors US$503
- Washou NYMB Thinning Scissors US$536
5 more models are listed in the full catalogue below.
Cutting Scissors 22 models US$235–1,668Price band US$400–800 · Premium
- Washou ATS314 NKM Cutting Scissors US$500
- Washou ATS314 YN Cutting Scissors US$402
- Washou CR ATS314 Cobalt Cutting Scissors US$503
19 more models are listed in the full catalogue below.
Left-Handed Scissors 4 models US$334–667Price band US$200–400 · Mid-range
- Washou NYL Left-Handed Cutting Scissors US$334
- Washou UDHKL Left-Handed Cutting Scissors US$667
- Washou UDL Left-Handed Cutting Scissors US$534
1 more models are listed in the full catalogue below.
Pictured models
All 34 Washou model names
- Washou ATS UD4 Thinning Scissors
- Washou ATS314 NKM Cutting Scissors
- Washou ATS314 YN Cutting Scissors
- Washou CR ATS314 Cobalt Cutting Scissors
- Washou Damascus DPUDW Cutting Scissors
- Washou Damascus FTNDUD1 Cutting Scissors
- Washou Damascus NDNY Cutting Scissors
- Washou Damascus NDUD Cutting Scissors
- Washou Damascus NDYS Cutting Scissors
- Washou ESC Performance Series Cutting Scissors
- Washou FTIUD Cutting Scissors
- Washou NKMT Thinning Scissors
- Washou NY Cutting Scissors
- Washou NYL Left-Handed Cutting Scissors
- Washou NYMA Cutting Scissors
- Washou NYMB Thinning Scissors
- Washou NYMBL Left-Handed Thinning Scissors
- Washou SGUDHK Cutting Scissors
- Washou Super Gold SGKUD Cutting Scissors
- Washou UD ATS314 Cobalt Cutting Scissors
- Washou UD1 Cutting Scissors
- Washou UD1T Thinning Scissors
- Washou UD7 Cutting Scissors
- Washou UDC Performance Series Cutting Scissors
- Washou UDHK Cutting Scissors
- Washou UDHKL Left-Handed Cutting Scissors
- Washou UDL Left-Handed Cutting Scissors
- Washou UDTL Left-Handed Thinning Scissors
- Washou YNC Cutting Scissors
- Washou YNT Thinning Scissors
- Washou YS ATS314 Cobalt Cutting Scissors
- Washou YSL Left-Handed Cutting Scissors
- Washou YSSC Cutting Scissors
- Washou YSTBL Left-Handed Thinning Scissors
Thinning is where Washou goes deepest, with separate models tuned for general thinning, all-round work, and finishing. TOA Scissors has made the line in Seki City since 1963, working SUS440C and VG-10 through to ATS-314, Super Gold, and Damascus. The 34 models run US$235 to US$1,668, with four left-handed pairs.
Overview
Washou is a Japanese scissors brand manufactured by TOA Scissors Co., Ltd., based in Seki City, Gifu Prefecture. Seki is one of Japan’s most well known centers for blade manufacturing, and Washou’s location there places the brand within a long regional tradition of edged tool production.
Product Range
Washou offers cutting scissors, thinning scissors, and left-handed scissors for slide, blunt, base, dry, and wet cutting. Its texture tools include standard thinning at 18 to 25 percent, all-round thinning at 20 to 25 percent, and finish thinning at 10 to 19 percent.
That level of thinning specialization is characteristic of Japanese manufacturers who design specific tools for each phase of the cutting process rather than relying on one general purpose thinner.
Availability
Washou scissors are available through washouscissors.main.jp and online retailer Shear Integrity. These channels carry current model and ordering information.
Specifications & Availability
Washou makes its scissors in Seki City, a region with centuries of blade-making history. The official site and authorised retailers carry current specifications and prices.
See Also
How Washou compares
Similar origin and adjacent price band. Brass rows differ; “—” means the field is not documented yet.
| Spec | WashouWashou | AlphaAlpha | Alu-CobaAlu-Coba | AuroAuro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan |
| Typical price | US$500–590Price band US$400–800 · Premium | Price not documented | US$200–250Price band US$200–400 · Mid-range | US$424–499Price band US$400–800 · Premium |
| Steel | SUS440C, VG-10, ATS-314, Super Gold, Dam | SG2 | Cobalt steel | Cobalt Alloy |
| Edge type | — | — | — | Straight |
| Handles | — | — | — | Offset, Straight, Crane |
| Left-handed | 7 models | — | — | — |
| Thinning | 8 models | 1 models | — | 2 models |
| Specialties | Slide cut, Blunt cut, Base cut, Dry cut, Wet cut, Thinnin… | Volume control, Slide cut, Stroke cut, Blunt cut, Texture… | Base cut, Step cut, Volume control, Texture control | Cobalt alloy builds, Multi-tooth thinning options, Handle… |
| Founded | 1963 | 2006 | 1946 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
6 answers you can open one at a timeWhere are Washou scissors made?
Washou is the hair-scissor line of TOA Scissors Co., Ltd., founded in 1963 and based in Seki City, Gifu, a region known for centuries of Japanese blade making. Every pair is made in Japan.
What steel do Washou scissors use?
Steel varies by series. The Performance models run on SUS440C and VG-10, while higher-end ranges use cobalt ATS-314, powdered Super Gold, and Damascus.
How much do Washou scissors cost?
Guide prices on the 34 Washou models run from US$235 to US$1,668, so the line starts under the premium band and runs well past it.
What sizes do Washou scissors come in?
Cutting, thinning, and left-handed lines together cover 5.5 to 7.5 inches in the catalogue.
Are Washou scissors available for left-handed stylists?
Yes. Washou makes a dedicated left-handed range to go with its cutting and thinning lines.
What is Washou known for?
Washou is best known for its thinning shears, with separate models tuned for general thinning, all-round thinning, and finish work so you can match the tool to each stage of a cut.
Ratings & reviews
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