Glossary of Scissor Terminology
The best shears in the world come with product sheets written in Japanese, German, or French. If you have ever stared at a spec card and wondered what 蛤刃 means, or why the German catalog keeps mentioning Konvex-Schliff, this glossary is for you.
Professional scissors are a global product with deep roots in three manufacturing traditions. Japanese bladesmiths in Seki City trace their craft back to samurai swordmaking. German workshops in Solingen have protected their blade heritage for eight centuries. French hairdressing culture brings its own vocabulary for techniques and regulations that influence how scissors are designed and sold across Europe.
As an American stylist shopping internationally, you will run into these terms on manufacturer websites, at trade shows, and in conversations with importers and sharpeners. Understanding the language helps you evaluate what you are actually buying and avoid costly mistakes when it comes to maintenance. Getting the wrong grind on a sharpening job, for example, can ruin a $500 pair of shears permanently.
This glossary covers 120 terms organized by language. Each entry gives you the original word, the English translation, and a concise explanation of why it matters for your work.
Japanese Terms (日本語)
Japanese vocabulary dominates the premium scissor world because Japan produces the majority of high-end professional shears. These terms appear on product packaging, spec sheets, and manufacturer websites. Many have no direct English equivalent, which is why Japanese brands often leave them untranslated.
Blade & Edge
笹刃 (sasaba)
English: Bamboo leaf blade
A blade shaped like a bamboo leaf with a gentle, subtle curve. This is the most common professional blade shape in Japan because it handles virtually every cutting technique well.
See: Bamboo Leaf Blade
刃線 (hasen)
English: Blade line / edge curvature
The shape of the cutting edge viewed from above. The blade line determines how hair feeds into the cut and is a primary factor in how a scissor performs different techniques.
蛤刃 (hamaguri-ba)
English: Clamshell blade / convex grind
A convex cross-section blade profile named after its resemblance to a clamshell. Pioneered by Hayashi Scissors, this is the gold standard for premium Japanese shears, producing exceptionally smooth cuts with minimal friction.
See: Clam-Shaped Edge
コンベックス (konbekkusu)
English: Convex
The Japanese loanword for convex grind. Technically similar to hamaguri-ba, but the Western term lacks the artisanal connotation that the Japanese name carries. You will see this on spec sheets from brands marketing to international buyers.
See: Convex Edge
ヒットポイント (hitto pointo)
English: Hit point
The precise point where the two blades make contact during a cut. The hit point travels from base to tip as the scissors close. Proper blade alignment at the hit point is critical for a clean cut.
See: Ride & Half Moon
裏スキ (urasuki)
English: Inner concave grind / hollow grind
The concave hollow ground into the inner face of each blade. Urasuki reduces surface contact between the blades, which lowers friction and lets the scissors glide through hair. The depth and shape of this grind is one of the primary markers of scissor quality.
See: Scissor Anatomy
動刃 (dōba)
English: Moving blade / thumb blade
The blade operated by the thumb. It moves against the static blade to execute the cut. Proper thumb technique on the dōba is fundamental to clean cutting and reduced hand fatigue.
See: Scissor Anatomy
支点 (shiten)
English: Pivot point
The point where the two blades cross and rotate around the screw. Everything about how scissors feel in your hand starts at the pivot.
See: Scissor Anatomy
セミコンベックス (semi-konbekkusu)
English: Semi-convex
A hybrid edge that blends convex and beveled geometry. Easier to maintain than a full convex and more forgiving on technique, making it popular for mid-range shears.
See: Semi-Convex Edge
鎌刃 (kamaba)
English: Sickle blade
A blade with an aggressive sickle-shaped curve. Used for specialized techniques where the pronounced curvature helps guide hair into the cutting line.
静刃 (shizuba)
English: Static blade / still blade
The blade held by the ring finger that stays relatively still while cutting. Also called seiba. It anchors the cut while the moving blade (dōba) does the work.
See: Scissor Anatomy
段刃 (danba)
English: Stepped blade / beveled edge
A two-angle grind with a visible step between the bevel and the blade body. Common on European scissors and many entry-level Japanese models. More durable than convex but produces a less smooth cut.
See: Beveled Edge
直刃 (chokuba)
English: Straight blade
A perfectly straight edge line with no curvature. Best suited for blunt cuts and precision lines where a clean, even result is essential.
See: Straight Blade
剣刃 (kenba)
English: Sword edge / single-bevel blade
A single-bevel edge inspired by the Japanese katana. Delivers extreme sharpness but is highly specialized and requires experienced handling.
See: Sword Blade
柳刃 (yanagiba)
English: Willow blade
A blade with a long, pronounced curve resembling a willow leaf. The extended curvature delivers a softer cutting action that works well for slide cutting and texturizing techniques.
See: Willow Blade
Handle & Structure
3Dハンドル (3D handoru)
English: 3D ergonomic handle
A three-dimensionally contoured handle shaped to follow the natural curves of the hand. More expensive to manufacture than flat handles but significantly more comfortable during extended use.
ベアリングネジ (bearingu neji)
English: Bearing screw / ball-bearing pivot
A pivot screw with internal ball bearings that deliver an ultra-smooth opening and closing action. Found on premium shears where blade feel is a top priority.
See: Ball-Bearing Pivot
クレーン (kurēn)
English: Crane handle
An extreme offset design with a deeply angled thumb ring. Offers the most ergonomic benefit and is often recommended for stylists dealing with repetitive strain or carpal tunnel prevention.
See: Crane Handle
ダイヤル式 (daiyaru shiki)
English: Dial-type adjuster
A wheel mechanism built into the pivot that allows micro-adjustments to blade tension without any tools. Convenient for stylists who like to tweak tension between wet and dry cuts.
See: Click-Dial Ratchet
メガネ (megane)
English: Eyeglass handle / symmetric handle
A traditional symmetric handle where both finger rings are the same size and aligned on the same axis. Named because it resembles a pair of eyeglasses. Some veteran stylists still prefer this design, though it requires a higher elbow position.
フラットネジ (furatto neji)
English: Flat screw
A low-profile pivot screw that sits flush with the blade surface. Requires a hex key for adjustment, which keeps the setting from drifting accidentally.
See: Flat Screw
オフセット (ofusetto)
English: Offset handle
A handle where the thumb ring is shorter or angled lower than the finger ring. This is the most popular modern handle design because it lets you drop your elbow and reduces shoulder fatigue over a long day.
See: Offset Handle
小指掛け (koyubikake)
English: Pinky rest / finger rest
The small hook or tang extending from the finger ring where the pinky finger rests. Provides additional control and stability. Some stylists remove them for preference, but most find they reduce hand fatigue.
See: Finger Rest
ゴム / サイレンサー (gomu / sairensā)
English: Ring rubber / silencer
Removable rubber inserts placed inside the finger rings. They cushion the fit, reduce vibration, and dampen the metallic sound when blades close.
スウィベル (suwiberu)
English: Swivel thumb
A rotating thumb ring that allows full 360 degree freedom of movement. Designed to eliminate thumb strain, though it takes time to retrain muscle memory.
See: Swivel Handle
Steel & Materials
コバルト合金 (kobaruto gōkin)
English: Cobalt alloy
A stainless steel alloy enriched with cobalt for improved hardness and edge retention. Cobalt alloy shears typically test between 57 and 62 HRC and hold a sharp edge longer than standard stainless.
See: Steel Types
ダマスカス (damasukasu)
English: Damascus steel
Multiple layers of different steel alloys forged together to produce a distinctive wavy pattern on the blade surface. In scissors, Damascus is primarily cosmetic; the cutting edge uses a hard core steel while the outer layers provide visual appeal.
See: Damascus Pattern
ナノパウダーメタル (nano pawudā metaru)
English: Nano powder metal
An advanced powder metallurgy steel with grain structure measured at the nanometer scale. Mizutani is the most prominent user, claiming blade smoothness under 0.0001mm unevenness. This is currently the pinnacle of scissor steel technology.
粉末鋼 (funmatsu kō)
English: Powder metal steel
Steel produced by compacting metal powder under extreme heat and pressure. The process creates an exceptionally uniform grain structure that holds ultra-fine edges. Found on premium scissors testing at 62 to 67 HRC.
See: SG Powder High Metal
焼入れ (yakiire)
English: Quenching / hardening
The heat treatment step where heated steel is rapidly cooled to lock in hardness. The temperature, timing, and cooling medium used during yakiire directly determine the blade’s final HRC hardness.
ステンレス (sutenresu)
English: Stainless steel
The Japanese loanword for stainless steel, from the English. Nearly all modern professional scissors use some grade of stainless alloy for its corrosion resistance around salon chemicals.
サブゼロ処理 (sabuzero shori)
English: Sub-zero treatment / cryogenic treatment
A deep-freezing step after quenching that converts retained austenite into martensite for improved hardness and dimensional stability. The blade is cooled to temperatures below minus 70 degrees Celsius.
焼戻し (yakimodoshi)
English: Tempering
A controlled reheating step after quenching that reduces brittleness while preserving hardness. Without proper tempering, a quench-hardened blade would shatter on impact.
チタンコーティング (chitan kōtingu)
English: Titanium coating
A thin titanium or titanium nitride layer applied to the blade surface. Adds scratch resistance, reduces friction, and is sometimes used as a solution for stylists with nickel allergies.
VG10 (VG10)
English: VG-10 steel
A high-carbon stainless steel made by Takefu Special Steel in Japan. One of the most widely used alloys in professional scissors because it balances hardness, corrosion resistance, and ease of sharpening.
See: Steel Types
Manufacturing
職人 (shokunin)
English: Craftsman / artisan
A skilled craftsperson devoted to mastering a trade. In the scissor world, shokunin carries deep respect. It implies years of apprenticeship and a personal commitment to quality that goes beyond simply doing a job.
分業制 (bungyōsei)
English: Division of labor system
The manufacturing model used in Seki City where different workshops specialize in different production stages like forging, grinding, heat treatment, and finishing. This is why multiple scissor brands can share the same component suppliers.
刃物 (hamono)
English: Edged tools / cutlery
The general Japanese term for all edged cutting tools, including knives, scissors, and razors. When you see “hamono” on a product or storefront in Japan, it means the shop deals in bladed goods.
仕上げ (shiage)
English: Finishing
The final stage of scissor production, encompassing the last polish, quality check, and any decorative treatments. The quality of shiage is where you can feel the difference between a factory scissor and an artisan one.
鍛造 (tanzō)
English: Forging
Shaping steel by hammering or pressing it while hot. Forged scissors are generally considered superior to cast or stamped scissors because the process aligns the steel’s grain structure for improved strength.
手作り (tezukuri)
English: Handmade
Made by hand rather than by machine. Many premium Japanese scissors are described as tezukuri, meaning a craftsman guided each critical step. This is a meaningful distinction in an era of CNC production.
名入れ (naire)
English: Name engraving / personalization
A custom engraving service where the stylist’s name is etched onto the blade. Common in Japan as a mark of professional pride and also a practical way to identify your tools in a busy salon.
小野市 (Ono-shi)
English: Ono City
A city in Hyogo Prefecture known as “the city of scissors” (hasami no machi). Ono’s scissor craft spans over 250 years and emphasizes high-precision hand-forging techniques.
関市 (Seki-shi)
English: Seki City
The city in Gifu Prefecture that produces roughly 99% of Japan’s hairdressing scissors. Seki’s bladesmithing heritage stretches back over 780 years to the swordsmiths of the Kamakura period.
研ぎ (togi)
English: Sharpening
The art and process of sharpening scissor blades. In Japan, togi is considered a distinct craft with its own master practitioners (togishi). The final sharpening pass is what gives a scissor its cutting character.
Technique & Maintenance
慣らし切り (narashi-giri)
English: Break-in cutting
The practice of cutting on tissue paper or practice hair before using new scissors on clients. This breaks in the blade contact and lets you evaluate tension and alignment before real work.
消毒 (shōdoku)
English: Disinfection
Sanitizing scissors between clients. Methods vary by regulation and include alcohol spray, UV cabinets, and chemical immersion. Proper disinfection protects clients without damaging the blade edge.
ドライカット (dorai katto)
English: Dry cut
Cutting hair in its dry, natural state. This lets the stylist see exactly how the hair falls and behaves, making it easier to evaluate shape and movement during the cut.
左利き (hidarikiki)
English: Left-handed
True left-handed scissors have reversed blade geometry so the upper blade is on the correct side for a left-hand grip. Using right-handed scissors in the left hand causes the blades to push hair rather than cut it.
油さし (abura-sashi)
English: Oiling / lubrication
Applying oil to the pivot area and blade surfaces. Regular oiling prevents corrosion, reduces friction, and extends the life of the scissors. Japanese craftsmen traditionally use camellia oil (tsubaki abura).
シザーケース (shizā kēsu)
English: Scissor case / holster
A carrying case or belt holster designed to hold multiple scissors, combs, and clips. Proper storage prevents blade damage from contact with other tools.
シザーオーバーコーム (shizā ōbā kōmu)
English: Scissor over comb
A fundamental barbering technique where the comb lifts the hair and the scissors cut along the top of the comb. Essential for fades, tapers, and short men’s cuts.
スライドカット (suraido katto)
English: Slide cut
A technique where the scissors glide along the hair strand while slightly open, creating a tapered, feathered effect. Requires a sharp convex edge and a light touch.
セニング (seningu)
English: Thinning
The technique and tool category for removing bulk and reducing volume from the hair. Thinning scissors have toothed blades with a specific tooth count that determines the percentage of hair removed per cut.
梳き率 (sukiritsu)
English: Thinning ratio / cut rate
The percentage of hair removed with each closing of a thinning scissor. A 20% thinning ratio removes roughly one fifth of the hair in the section. Higher ratios remove more hair per pass.
Commerce
理容師 (riyōshi)
English: Barber
A licensed barber in Japan. Riyōshi hold a separate national license from hairstylists and are legally authorized to use straight razors on clients, which biyōshi are not.
美容師 (biyōshi)
English: Beautician / hairstylist
A licensed hairstylist in Japan. The biyōshi license is a national certification that requires completing beauty school and passing a government exam. Japan distinguishes biyōshi (beauty) from riyōshi (barber) by law.
美容室 (biyōshitsu)
English: Beauty salon
A beauty salon or hair salon in Japan. Japan has over 250,000 registered beauty salons, making it one of the most salon-dense countries in the world.
ディーラー (dīrā)
English: Dealer / distributor
A sales representative who visits salons with sample cases. In Japan, dealers remain the dominant purchasing channel for professional scissors. They let stylists try before buying and provide ongoing service.
ふるさと納税 (furusato nōzei)
English: Hometown tax donation
A Japanese tax program that allows citizens to donate to regional municipalities in exchange for local products. Scissors from Seki City are available through this system, making it a unique way for Japanese stylists to acquire shears at a tax advantage.
German Terms (Deutsche Fachbegriffe)
Germany’s Solingen region is the only Western manufacturing center that rivals Japan’s scissor heritage. German vocabulary shows up when you buy European shears, read sharpening instructions from Jaguar or Tondeo, or encounter German-engineered pivot systems. Several terms describe proprietary technologies that have no equivalent in other languages.
Blade & Edge
Klingen
English: Blades
The German word for blades. Also the name of a district within Solingen, reinforcing how deeply blade manufacturing is embedded in the city’s identity.
Konvex-Schliff
English: Convex grind
The European convex sharpening method. German sources emphasize a critical distinction: European scissors need Konvex-Schliff while Japanese scissors need Hamaguri-Schliff. Using the wrong method causes permanent damage.
See: Convex Edge
Wate
English: Cutting edge
The actual sharpened cutting edge of the blade. A precise technical term used by German sharpeners and manufacturers to distinguish the edge from the blade body.
Hohlschliff
English: Hollow grind
The concave inner blade surface found on most scissors. The German term is the equivalent of the Japanese urasuki.
See: Concave Edge
Mikroverzahnung
English: Micro-serration
Tiny teeth along the cutting edge that grip hair and prevent it from sliding forward during the cut. Common on German scissors and recommended for beginners or wet-cutting specialists.
See: Micro-Serrated Edge
Handle & Structure
Stellschraube
English: Adjustment screw
The tension adjustment screw on a scissor. Stell means to adjust or set. This is the screw you turn to change how tight or loose the blades feel.
Kugellager
English: Ball bearing
Ball bearings used in premium pivot systems. Kugel means ball, Lager means bearing. German manufacturers like Tondeo and e-kwip prominently feature ball-bearing screws in their premium lines.
Anschlagpuffer
English: Buffer stop / bumper
A small rubber or plastic bumper between the handles that prevents the blades from over-opening. It also dampens noise and absorbs impact when the scissors close. Found on nearly all German-made professional shears.
Crane-Form
English: Crane handle
The German term for the extreme ergonomic offset handle. Borrowed directly from the English word crane.
See: Crane Handle
Fingerhaken
English: Finger hook / pinky rest
The small hook extending below the finger ring for the pinky to rest on. Finger means finger, Haken means hook.
See: Finger Rest
Griffform
English: Handle shape / grip form
The overall shape and ergonomic design of the scissor handle. German manufacturers categorize their scissors primarily by Griffform.
Offset-Griff
English: Offset handle
The German term for the offset handle design. As in Japanese scissors, offset is the most popular modern handle shape in German-made shears.
See: Offset Handle
Schraube
English: Screw
The general German term for screw. In scissor context, it refers to the pivot screw (Stellschraube for the adjustable version).
Steel & Materials
Kobalt
English: Cobalt
Cobalt as a steel alloying element. German manufacturers use cobalt in premium alloys for the same reasons as Japanese makers: improved hardness and edge retention.
Damaststahl
English: Damascus steel
The German term for Damascus steel. German manufacturers like Cerena and Tondeo produce Damascus scissors that combine Solingen craftsmanship with layered steel aesthetics.
See: Damascus Pattern
Friodur
English: Friodur (ice-hardened)
Jaguar’s proprietary ice-hardening process. The steel is heated and then subjected to extreme cold treatment, producing improved hardness and edge stability. The name comes from Latin frigidus (cold) and durus (hard).
Nickelallergie
English: Nickel allergy
An allergic reaction to nickel in scissor metal. German research found that 11.4% of hairdressers are affected. Titanium coated scissors and low-nickel alloys like those from Joewell (under 0.6% nickel) are common solutions.
Edelstahl
English: Stainless steel / noble steel
The German term for stainless steel. Literally “noble steel.” You will see this on nearly every German scissor specification sheet.
Manufacturing
Haarschere
English: Hair cutting scissors
An alternative German term for hair scissors, emphasizing the cutting function. Haar means hair.
Friseurschere
English: Hairdressing scissors
The standard German term for professional hairdressing scissors. Friseur means hairdresser, and Schere means scissors.
Schere
English: Scissors
The general German word for scissors. You will encounter this root word in compound terms across German scissor catalogs and product descriptions.
Solingen
English: Solingen (City of Blades)
The German city in North Rhine-Westphalia with over 800 years of bladesmithing heritage. “Made in Solingen” is a legally protected designation that carries the same weight in western markets as “Made in Seki” does in Japan.
Modellierschere
English: Texturizing scissors
A texturizing scissor with one smooth blade and one toothed blade. The German market maintains a clear vocabulary distinction between these and Effilierscheren.
Effilierschere
English: Thinning scissors
Thinning scissors with double-toothed blades. Distinguished from the Modellierschere (texturizing scissors) which has only one toothed blade.
Technique & Maintenance
Scherenwissen
English: Scissor knowledge
Literally “scissor knowledge.” Tondeo uses this as the name for their comprehensive educational hub covering scissor forms, blade technology, and tooth patterns. In general German usage, it refers to professional expertise about scissors.
Scherenöl
English: Scissor oil
Lubricating oil specifically formulated for scissor pivots. The German market produces several dedicated scissor oil products, and German maintenance guides emphasize daily oiling.
Schärfen
English: Sharpening
The German term for professional scissor sharpening. German sources strongly warn that self-sharpening destroys scissors in virtually all cases and that professional service is essential.
Slice-Schnitt
English: Slice cut
The German term for the sliding cut technique. Requires convex-edge scissors and produces a feathered, tapered result.
Texturieren
English: Texturizing
Creating texture and movement in hair using a single-toothed texturizing scissor (Modellierschere). The German market distinguishes clearly between effilieren (thinning) and texturieren (texturizing).
Effilieren
English: Thinning / effilating
The German term for thinning hair with specialized scissors. Effilieren uses double-toothed blades (Effilierschere) to remove volume evenly throughout a section.
Brand Technology
Ball-Gliding
English: Ball-Gliding screw system
Tondeo’s proprietary ball-bearing screw system designed for ultra-smooth blade action. Representative of how Solingen brands develop and name their own pivot technologies.
CONBLADE
English: CONBLADE (proprietary blade tech)
Tondeo’s proprietary blade technology developed in Solingen. A branded manufacturing process that the company positions as their core technical advantage.
Heiße Schere
English: Hot scissors / thermocut
Electrically heated scissor blades that reach 110 to 170 degrees Celsius. The heat seals the hair cuticle as it cuts, which proponents claim reduces split ends. CARECUT is the leading brand in this category.
Commerce
Friseur
English: Hairdresser
The standard German word for hairdresser. Germany has a formal apprenticeship system (Ausbildung) for hairdressers that includes training in scissor selection and care.
Salon
English: Salon
A hair salon. The German salon industry is large and well-regulated, with professional standards that include specific guidance on tool maintenance.
French Terms (Vocabulaire français)
French scissor vocabulary matters because France has the largest hairdressing market in continental Europe and its own regulatory framework that shapes how scissors are sold and maintained. French terms appear when you encounter European brands like Takai or Exthand, or when researching ergonomic innovations that originated in the French salon industry.
Blade & Edge
Lames convexes
English: Convex blades
Convex-ground blades. French retailers position lames convexes as the premium blade geometry, often noting their Japanese origin.
See: Convex Edge
Handle & Structure
Vis de réglage
English: Adjustment screw
The tension adjustment screw. Vis means screw, reglage means adjustment. French product listings always specify the screw type.
Ergonomique
English: Ergonomic
Ergonomic design. The French market places strong emphasis on ergonomics due to high awareness of TMS (troubles musculo-squelettiques), the French term for musculoskeletal disorders among hairdressers.
Repose-doigt
English: Finger rest / pinky rest
The finger rest or pinky hook. Literally “finger rest.” French product descriptions consistently list whether the repose-doigt is removable or fixed.
See: Finger Rest
Entablure
English: Pivot / joint
The pivot joint where the two blades connect. A technical French term used in professional descriptions and repair contexts.
Anneau
English: Ring / finger hole
The finger ring on a scissor handle. French ergonomic discussions focus on anneau size and shape as key comfort factors.
Steel & Materials
Revêtement
English: Coating / surface treatment
Any surface coating or treatment applied to the scissors. French product specifications use this term to describe everything from titanium to DLC (diamond-like carbon) finishes.
Acier cobalt
English: Cobalt steel
Cobalt-alloyed steel. French retailers highlight acier cobalt as a premium material, especially in Japanese-made scissors sold in the French market.
Damas
English: Damascus
The French shorthand for Damascus steel (Acier Damas). French consumers associate Damas patterns with premium Japanese craftsmanship.
See: Damascus Pattern
Acier inoxydable
English: Stainless steel
The French term for stainless steel. Acier means steel and inoxydable means stainless (literally “unable to oxidize”).
Titane
English: Titanium
Titanium, used as a coating material on scissors. French product listings specify titane coatings as both a cosmetic upgrade and a practical solution for stylists with metal sensitivities.
Manufacturing
Forgé
English: Forged
Indicates the scissors were shaped by forging rather than stamping or casting. French retailers use this as a quality indicator, especially when describing Japanese-made shears.
Ciseaux de coiffure
English: Hairdressing scissors
The standard French term for professional hairdressing scissors. Coiffure means hairstyling.
Ciseaux
English: Scissors
The French word for scissors. Always plural in French because a scissor has two blades.
Ciseaux sculpteurs
English: Sculptor scissors / thinning scissors
The preferred French term for thinning scissors. Literally “sculptor scissors,” reflecting the French view that thinning is a sculpting technique rather than simple volume removal.
Technique & Maintenance
Coupe sèche
English: Dry cut
Cutting hair while dry. French stylists use coupe sèche for final shaping and evaluation, similar to the Japanese dorai katto philosophy.
Affûtage Hamaguri
English: Hamaguri sharpening
The Japanese clamshell sharpening technique as referenced in French technical literature. French sources specifically note that Japanese scissors require this method rather than the European convex grind.
Sculpteur
English: Sculptor (texturizing technique)
The French approach to texturizing, which emphasizes sculpting the shape of the hair rather than just reducing volume. This philosophy influences how French brands design their thinning scissors.
Affûtage
English: Sharpening
Professional scissor sharpening. French brands like Takai maintain dedicated sharpening workshops (ateliers), with turnaround times of about one week from their Frejus facility.
Glissé
English: Slide cut / glide cut
The French term for the slide cutting technique where the scissors glide along the hair strand. The word literally means “slid” or “glided.”
Effiler
English: To thin / to taper
The French verb for thinning hair. The related noun effilage describes the slide-cutting technique that originated in French hairdressing and was later adopted in Japan.
Commerce
Certibiocide
English: Biocide certification
A French regulation requiring hairdressers to hold biocide certification for proper scissor and tool disinfection. Compliance has been required since 2026 and affects how salons purchase and maintain disinfection supplies.
Exthand
English: Exthand (ergonomic brand)
A French ergonomic scissors brand that eliminated traditional finger rings entirely. Developed by designer Julien Gandon after five years of research. Clinical studies showed complete elimination of repetitive strain symptoms after six months of use.
CAP Coiffure
English: Hairdressing certificate (apprenticeship)
The French national apprenticeship qualification for hairdressers. Training includes scissor handling, anatomy, and technique. Similar in concept to the Japanese biyōshi license but structured as a vocational apprenticeship.
Takai
English: Takai (brand)
The number one Japanese scissors brand in France, with over 30 years in the French market. Takai operates a French service center in Frejus and offers four steel types with hamaguri sharpening.
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