How to Choose a Scissor Set

The benefits of buying a set

Most cuts use both Cutting Scissors and Thinning Scissors. You can choose the two pairs separately, but getting them as a set has these benefits.

• The handle shapes match: because they are from the same series, the lengths and angles of the thumb-side and ring-finger-side handles are close, so your finger position barely changes when you switch.
• The look and finish match: the colour and finish are the same, so they look like a set in your scissor case and are easy to tell apart from your other scissors.
• Less choosing: you decide the combination of Cutting and Thinning Scissors in one go, so it is easier even if you are choosing for the first time.
• Easy to compare prices: some sets are priced lower than the total of buying the two pairs separately. Compare with the single-pair prices on each product page.

The difference in role between Cutting Scissors and Thinning Scissors is covered in “Cutting Scissors vs Thinning Scissors”.

What to check before choosing a set

Because a set means choosing two or more pairs at once, there is a little more to check than with a single pair. Deciding in this order makes it easier.

1. Number of pieces: do you need just Cutting and Thinning Scissors, or another pair of Cutting Scissors in a different length?
2. Size of the Cutting Scissors: does it suit your hand size and the cutting you do most?
3. Handle shape: is it a shape that is easy for you to hold, such as offset, semi-offset or classic?
4. Tooth count of the Thinning Scissors: are they for removing weight or for creating texture?
5. Hand: if you are left-handed, is the set available left-handed?

2-piece, 3-piece and 4-piece sets compared

The sets Scissor Lab carries come in these combinations, depending on the number of pieces.

Some 2-piece sets pair the Cutting Scissors with texturising scissors (Thinning Scissors with fewer teeth) instead of standard Thinning Scissors. You can check the actual contents in the “Contents” column of the comparison table further down this page, and on each product page.

Choosing a 3-piece set

Most 3-piece sets let you choose the Cutting Scissors in two lengths. Two shorter pairs, such as 5.0 and 5.5 inch, work well for dry cutting and finishing details. A bigger gap, such as 5.0 and 6.0 inch, lets you split the roles clearly: the short pair for finishing, the long pair for base cutting.

Combining sizes

With many sets, you can choose the size of the Cutting Scissors when you order. The Thinning Scissors are usually fixed at around 6.0 inch.

Thinning Scissors the same size as your Cutting Scissors, or slightly shorter, make switching feel more natural. Even if your Cutting Scissors are 5.5 inch or shorter, they work with 6.0 inch Thinning Scissors. How to measure size is covered in “How to Choose Your Scissor Size”. If you are looking for a longer combination for short back and sides or scissor over comb, see “How to Choose Barber Scissors” as well.

Tooth count and texturising scissors

The Thinning Scissors in sets are mostly standard pairs of around 30 teeth. Thinning Scissors with around 30 teeth work for both removing weight and blending as a finish, which makes them an easy tooth count for your first pair of thinners.

Thinning Scissors with fewer teeth, such as 15 or 16 (texturising scissors), take more hair in each cut and are used to add movement and piece-y texture to the ends. When choosing a set, think about it like this.

• Mostly removing weight and blending: a set with Thinning Scissors of around 30 teeth
• Mostly creating texture and piece-y effects: a set with texturising scissors with fewer teeth
• You want to use both: a 4-piece set with both Thinning Scissors and texturising scissors

How to read tooth count and thinning rate is covered in detail in “How to Choose Thinning Scissors”.

Sets for left-handed stylists

Some sets are available right-handed or left-handed. For models where the “Hand” column in the comparison table says “Right-handed, left-handed”, you can choose the hand when you order. You can get left-handed Cutting Scissors and left-handed Thinning Scissors together, which is especially convenient if you are left-handed.

The difference between left-handed and right-handed scissors is covered in “Scissors for Left-Handed Hairdressers”.

When buying separately is the better choice

Sets are convenient, but in these cases choosing one pair at a time may suit you better.

• You want different handle shapes for cutting and thinning: for example, an offset handle for your Cutting Scissors and a classic handle for your Thinning Scissors.
• You already have Cutting Scissors: if you already have a pair that suits your hand, adding just Thinning Scissors avoids waste.
• You want to choose the tooth count precisely: if you want a tooth count not offered in a set, such as 10 or 21 teeth.

Find single Thinning Scissors in the “Thinning Scissors” list and Cutting Scissors in the “Cutting Scissors” list.

For hairdressing students and new stylists

For hairdressing students and new stylists who want to get their first two pairs together, a 2-piece set is an easy combination to choose. If your school specifies scissors, follow that first. How to choose a first pair is set out in “Scissors for Hairdressing Students and New Stylists”. For orders for a school or a class, contact us through the wholesale page.

Summary

• With a set, the handle shape and feel of your Cutting and Thinning Scissors match.
• Check the number of pieces, the size of the Cutting Scissors, the tooth count of the Thinning Scissors and the hand, in that order.
• If you already have a pair that suits your hand, or want to combine different shapes, choose single pairs.

All sets are listed under “Scissor sets”.