Click Dial / Ratchet Tension

Click Dial / Ratchet Tension

Quick look

  • Adjustment access: Finger-friendly dial with audible clicks—no tools required.1
  • Closing feel: Smooth and predictable; each detent holds its setting between services.1,2
  • Ideal use case: Busy salon pros jumping between blunt work and dry detailing who need quick tweaks mid-shift.1,2
  • Care level: Moderate. Keep the dial grooves free of hair and product so the ratchet plate seats fully.1

Why it matters

Click dials bundle the speed of a thumb-tightened screw with the stability of an indexed ratchet. Each detent locks the screw against a spring plate, so you can bump tension tighter for coarse sections, loosen it for slide work, and snap back to the exact spot you love without guessing.

How it works

  • A grooved dial presses against a spring plate; each click settles into a detent that resists drift.1
  • Many premium dials hide a thin leaf spring under the plate to keep compression even as you adjust.2
  • Because the adjuster is external, you can tune tension on the fly—ideal for shops where multiple stylists share the same shear.2

Adjustment map

  1. Click clockwise to tighten when hair folds or you’re tackling dense fades.1
  2. Click counter-clockwise to ease the closing force for glide-heavy slide or point cutting.1
  3. After each change, perform a 45° drop test and run a comb-through to confirm the blades stay aligned.1

Best for

  • Salon stylists rotating between wet precision and dry detailing all day.1
  • Barbers who like to bump tension tighter before over-comb work.1
  • Apprentices learning tension control who benefit from audible feedback.1

Watch-outs

  • Product residue and cut hair can clog the dial; brush it out weekly.1
  • Springs fatigue over the years—if clicks feel mushy, plan a replacement dial.1
  • Don’t force the dial past its stop; over-rotating can strip the ratchet plate.1

Maintenance notes

Brush debris from the dial grooves, wipe clean, then oil the pivot monthly. If the dial starts to loosen between services, reseat the spring plate or have a technician retension the assembly.1

Related systems: Leaf Spring Assist • Thumbscrew / Butterfly

Sources

  1. Dark Stag – Understanding Scissor Tension
  2. Sensei Shears – What Shear Tension System Is Right for You

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