Slicing

Slicing (ストロークカット)

Quick look

  • What it is: A sweeping arc motion through the hair with a partially open blade to remove weight
  • Also called: Stroke cut (ストロークカット), effilating (in European traditions)
  • Key requirement: Smooth, snag-free blade action through the full sweeping motion
  • Best scissors: Willow blade or bamboo leaf blade, convex edge, 5.5 to 6.5 inch

Why it matters

Slicing removes weight through a continuous sweeping motion rather than individual snips. You draw the partially open blade through a section in an arc, and hair is cut progressively as it contacts the edge. The result is graduated weight removal that feels natural and avoids the choppy look that aggressive point cutting can produce.

This is a go-to technique for creating soft layers, reducing bulk in the mid-lengths, and blending disconnected sections. It works on both wet and dry hair, though dry hair gives you better visual feedback on where the weight is actually sitting.

The blade needs to do the work. Forcing a slice through hair with a blade that isn’t smooth enough creates drag, pulling, and an uneven cut. Willow blades excel here because their elongated curve maintains consistent contact through the arc. Bamboo leaf blades also work well, especially for more aggressive weight removal near the ends.

Feature Recommendation
Blade type Willow or bamboo leaf
Edge type Convex
Size 5.5 to 6.5 inch
Handle Offset or crane for comfortable wrist angle during the arc

Technique notes

Slicing and slide cutting are closely related but distinct. Slide cutting uses a linear motion along the hair shaft. Slicing uses an arc that sweeps across or through the section. Think of a slide cut as drawing a straight line and a slice as drawing a curve.

Start with wider sections and lighter pressure. You can always take more weight out. You can’t put it back.

The angle of the blade relative to the hair determines how much weight comes out. A shallow angle (blade nearly parallel to the section) removes less. A steeper angle removes more. Most stylists default to about 30 to 45 degrees.

For thick, coarse hair, longer blades (6.0 to 6.5 inch) give you more cutting surface per sweep, which means fewer passes and a more even result.

Willow Blade Bamboo-Leaf Blade Convex Edge Slide Cut Scissor Sizes

Sources

  1. KAMIU (kamiu.jp) professional cutting technique resources
  2. Pivot Point International advanced cutting curriculum
  3. Toginon Scissors technical documentation on blade profiles and cutting techniques

Related Cutting techniques