Kikui Cobalt Alloy Innovation: From 1973 to Good Design Award
Kikui has received the 2015 Good Design Award for their cobalt alloy scissors — a recognition that brings renewed attention to a material innovation that dates back more than four decades. In 1973, Kikui developed the world’s first cobalt alloy styling scissors, and the technology remains unique in the professional scissors market.
What Makes Cobalt Alloy Different
Kikui’s cobalt alloy scissors contain approximately 70% cobalt — this is not a cobalt-infused steel, but a fundamentally different material from the stainless steels (VG-10, GIN3, SG2) used by most scissor manufacturers.
The most immediately notable property is absolute corrosion resistance. Cobalt alloy scissors will never rust. Not “rust-resistant” in the way that stainless steels resist corrosion — genuinely immune to it. For professionals working in wet environments with constant chemical exposure from colour treatments, perming solutions, and cleaning products, this is a meaningful practical advantage.
The cutting characteristics also differ from steel. Cobalt alloy produces a distinctive feel that stylists tend to either strongly prefer or find unfamiliar. The material holds an edge well, though the sharpening process differs from conventional steel scissors and requires appropriate expertise.
A Rare Craft
One reason cobalt alloy scissors have not been widely adopted by other manufacturers is the difficulty of working the material. Only a limited number of craftspeople in Japan possess the skills and equipment to machine, grind, and finish cobalt alloy to the precision required for professional scissors. This constraint naturally limits production volume and keeps prices in the premium range.
WPC Processing and DLC Coating
Kikui has continued to develop their finishing technologies. Their current premium option combines WPC (Wonder Process Craft) processing with DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coating — a dual-layer treatment that first improves the base material before applying a surface coating.
The WPC process involves spraying ceramic particles of approximately 50 micrometres at high speed against the blade surface. This micro-peening treatment modifies the surface structure of the steel, improving hardness and fatigue resistance at the surface level. The DLC coating is then applied over this prepared surface, creating an extremely hard, low-friction outer layer.
The combined treatment is available as an option at an additional cost of 39,600 yen — a significant investment, but one that extends blade life and reduces cutting resistance measurably.
Good Design Award Recognition
The Good Design Award (Gマーク / G Mark), administered by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion, evaluates products on both aesthetic and functional criteria. Kikui’s recognition reflects not just the visual refinement of their scissors but the underlying innovation of bringing a genuinely different material to a market dominated by variations on stainless steel.