(Your shopping cart is empty)
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Section
2: Which Blade Type is for You?
A critical factor to take into consideration is blade
type. A shears’ blade type will have a direct effect on its performance
and cutting ability. Often thought of as one of the most important factors
to consider when purchasing haircutting shears — this decision should not
be taken lightly.
Scissor manufacturing techniques have evolved tremendously over the last
few decades. Innovative new forging and crafting techniques have been developed
leading to a variety of scissor blade types being released into the market.
Below we explain the blade types that you are most likely to encounter when
purchasing a new pair of shears.
Beveled Edged Blades
The beveled edge blade design is one of the oldest
and most commonly used in production today. This blade type can cut well
but requires considerably more force and pressure than convex blades currently
on the market. Although predominantly the least expensive blade type, a
major drawback of the beveled edge is that it can’t be used for advanced
cutting techniques such as “slide cutting”. [Back to Top]
Serrated or Corrugated Beveled Edges
This type of blades has fine lines or grooves cut
into the surface of the beveled edge. The purpose is to hold
the hair from slipping on the edge. This is typically done on inexpensive
shears to help otherwise blunt edges cut straight.
This type of edge tears the hair off against the serration as it meets
the opposite blade. This edge will cut straight for a long time but
it requires much more force to cut and it can be damaging to the hair
ends. [Back to Top] |
|
Convex Edged Blades
This type of blade design is extremely powerful and
facilitates smooth and sharp cutting. As the outer face of the blade is curved this blade type
is especially suitable for ‘slide cutting’ and allows for more advanced
cutting techniques to be used. The sharper angle of the cutting edge on
a convex shear makes them cut smoother and stay sharp longer. Due to these
attributes this blade type is harder to make than others and so shears with
convex edges are usually more expensive than a comparable beveled shear. [Back to Top]
All Sensei
Shears have a Convex Blade
Other Terms Associated with Blades:
Hollow Ground - You may hear blades referred to as
hollow ground. This refers to the inside of the blade. Nearly all higher
quality shears are hollow ground meaning the inside of the blade is concave.
In other
words, lower in the center of the blade and getting higher as it moves to
the edge or to the back of the blade. This allows the edges to contact but
then the edge is not forced to drag against the inside of the blade as it
closes.
Honed Edge is
a term that is used by some to describe a smooth finish beveled edge. In
reality all high quality edges are honed which is a sharpening methodology.
Semi-Convex Edge is
a term used to describe a narrow beveled edge but it is not the same as
a true convex edge.
Sword Blade
Sword Blade describes a blade that has it’s peak or
highest point, in the center. This blades slopes in both directions from
that ridge line, toward the back of the blade and toward the edge. It makes
the blade stiffer and some argue better for cutting thicker sections. The
cut from a sword blade is not quite as soft or effortless as a convex edge
because the angle of the edge is more blunt. [Back to Top]
|
|
|
