2012 Year in Review: The State of Professional Scissors

As 2012 draws to a close, the professional scissors market continues to evolve along lines that have been developing for several decades. Here is where things stand.

Steel Remains the Core Story

VG-10 (V Gold 10) remains the dominant steel in the premium professional scissors segment. Developed by Takefu Special Steel in Fukui Prefecture, VG-10 offers an effective balance of hardness, corrosion resistance, and edge retention that has made it the industry benchmark since its widespread adoption in the 1990s. If a manufacturer claims “premium Japanese steel” without further detail, VG-10 is the most likely candidate.

Correction reviewed 3 October 2026: Kikui describes its cobalt-base alloy family as approximately 70% cobalt and dates its development to 1973. Its corrosion and edge-life statements are maker claims; the reviewed material does not establish corrosion immunity, measured cutting feel or chemical compatibility. Maker catalog and exact current cutting listing. This is a current source correction, not evidence of market conditions in 2012.

The emerging tier is powder metallurgy steel. Takefu Special Steel’s SG2 (Super Gold 2, officially SPG2®) is one example used in premium scissors. Takefu leaves its composition undisclosed and publishes a quench hardness of at least 62 HRC for the material, not a finished-scissor hardness. A maker’s specification for a particular model is needed to establish its finished hardness. R2 is a related market name, but the producer records reviewed do not establish that it is chemically identical to SG2.

Two Traditions, One Market

The global market still divides broadly along two edge geometry traditions. Japanese manufacturers favor the convex (hamaguri) edge — a clamshell-shaped bevel that produces an extremely sharp, smooth cut but requires skilled sharpening. German and European manufacturers traditionally use the beveled edge, which is more forgiving to maintain but produces a slightly different cutting action.

Pricing Landscape

Japanese domestic prices varied widely by maker, model and finish, with handmade models from established craftspeople at the top of the range. Prices outside Japan also included distributor costs, so a domestic yen price and an overseas price were not directly comparable. For how to compare prices today, see our Japanese scissor prices guide.

Looking Ahead

The trends to watch in 2013 are powder metallurgy adoption broadening beyond the ultra-premium tier, and increasing international buyer interest in purchasing directly from Japanese manufacturers rather than through traditional distributor networks.