Daily Care Protocol (毎日のお手入れ)
Description
Daily scissor care routine every stylist should follow. Cleaning, oiling, tension checks, and storage tips that extend blade life and maintain cutting performance.
Daily Care Protocol (毎日のお手入れ - Mainichi no Oteire)
Quick look
- Time required: 30 seconds per scissor
- When: After every client (wipe) and at end of day (full routine)
- Tools needed: Soft cloth or chamois (セーム皮), scissor oil, storage case
- Impact: Prevents 80% of premature wear, corrosion, and performance loss
The 5-step daily protocol
1. Wipe blades after every cut Use a soft cloth or chamois leather (セーム皮 / sēmu-kawa) to wipe both blade faces and the cutting edge. Remove all hair fragments, moisture, and product residue. Wipe from pivot to tip — never across the edge.
2. One drop of scissor oil at the pivot point Apply a single drop of scissor-specific oil (camellia oil / 椿油 / tsubaki-abura is the traditional Japanese choice) directly to the pivot screw area. Do not over-oil — excess attracts debris.
3. Open and close 10–15 times to distribute oil Work the oil into the pivot mechanism by opening and closing the scissor smoothly. This distributes lubricant across the contact surfaces and flushes out any trapped micro-debris.
4. Store in a case or pouch Always store scissors in a padded case or leather pouch when not in active use. Never leave scissors open on the counter — this exposes the edge to accidental contact, chemical splashes, and humidity.
5. Avoid chemical contact Never allow contact with: sterilization liquid, perm solution (パーマ液), bleach (ブリーチ), or hair color chemicals (ヘアカラー). Even brief exposure can cause corrosion and pitting. See the Chemical Damage Guide for details.
Thinning scissor care
For thinning scissors (セニングシザー / seningu shizā): use a toothpick or fine brush between the teeth to remove trapped hair debris before wiping and oiling. Hair caught between teeth accelerates wear on the tooth tips and affects the thinning ratio.
The tension check: 90-degree test (clock test)
Check tension at least once daily if you are a busy stylist:
- Hold the scissor by the finger ring with the tip pointing up
- Open the moving blade to 90 degrees (3 o’clock position)
- Release the blade — do not push or flick it
- The blade should fall under its own weight and stop between 10 and 11 o’clock
If the blade falls past 11 o’clock: tension is too loose — the scissor will fold hair instead of cutting it. If the blade doesn’t reach 10 o’clock: tension is too tight — you’re overworking your hand and accelerating edge wear.
Adjust the tension screw in quarter-turn increments until the drop test falls in the correct range.
Related links
| Chemical Damage Guide | Post-Drop Emergency Protocol | Sharpening & Maintenance | Pivot Point |