The Rise of Powder Metallurgy in Professional Scissors

Powder metallurgy (粉末冶金技術 / funmatsu yakin gijutsu, abbreviated PM) steels are among the material choices in premium professional scissors. Conventional steels like VG-10 and GIN3 remain options; a steel name alone does not establish how a finished scissor will cut or wear.

What Makes Powder Metallurgy Different

In conventional steelmaking, molten metal is cast into ingots and then worked into shape. Alloying elements can segregate as the metal solidifies, affecting how carbides are distributed in the steel.

Powder metallurgy takes a different approach. Molten steel is atomised into fine powder, which is then consolidated. Takefu describes compacting, sintering, forging and rolling in its SG2 process. This route can reduce segregation and produce a fine, uniform microstructure.

For a finished scissor, edge geometry, heat treatment and finishing also affect cutting and wear.

The Key Players

Takefu Special Steel SG2 (Super Gold 2, officially SPG2®) is a powder-metallurgy steel used in professional scissors. Takefu does not disclose its composition and lists a quench hardness of at least 62 HRC, not a universal finished-blade range. R2 is a related market name, but its exact identity with SG2 remains unverified. Kasho identifies SG2 in its Millennium and SlideCut scissors; its 6.5-inch SlideCut is listed at 61–62 HRC as a model-specific finished-blade figure. Joewell identifies its FX PRO as Supreme Stainless Alloy, not SG2.

Mizutani Nano Powder Metal takes the technology further. Developed in collaboration with the University of Tokyo, Mizutani’s process uses Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP), consolidating the steel powder under simultaneous high temperature and gas pressure from all directions. The company claims their finished blades are “free of impurities under microscope.”

Hayashi HYS Steel represents another application. Hayashi lists its proprietary ultra-fine particle PM steel at HRC 63–64 and its HYS-MAX67 variant at HRC 67, which it calls an industry first for professional scissors. The maker says HYS scissors need maintenance less often than standard scissors; blades at high hardness also call for careful handling.

The Practical Question

For working stylists, the relevant question is whether PM steel justifies its significant price premium. The steel name alone cannot answer that. For many professionals, a well-made VG-10 or GIN3 scissor may deliver everything they need at a considerably lower price point.

What PM steel does not do is compensate for poor manufacturing. A badly ground or poorly heat-treated PM scissor will underperform a well-made conventional steel scissor every time. The steel is only as good as the hands that shape it.