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A guide for hairdressers and barbers who want to protect their tools and their craft — and spot the warning signs of unqualified sharpeners early. If you’ve been in the hairdressing industry for a few years, you may have had a “mystery sharpening.” You hand your scissors over, the sharpener disappears for ten minutes, and when they return—something feels off. They are your scissors, but they don’t feel right. The glide is gone. The tips don’t meet. They were in need of sharpening but now they are unusable and you will have to buy new ones in a hurry. The truth is, not all sharpeners work the same way. Some are trained, specialised technicians who will make your scissors feel like new. Others mean well… but they treat hairdressing scissors the same way they treat ordinary scissors. And that’s when damage happens. So before you hand over your best scissors, here’s how to ask the right questions and how to recognise when it’s time to decline their services. Do you specialise in hairdressing scissors? This is the first and most important question. Hair scissors—especially Japanese-style—are a completely different world from knives or fabric shears. They have unique geometry, different machinery requirements, and need a much more delicate, precise touch. If they hesitate, change the subject, or say “a blade is a blade”… that’s your answer. Hair scissors are normally sharpened with abrasive discs on a flat hone and deburred with a Japanese water stone and stropped with leather. Ordinary scissors are often sharpened on a small bench grinder unsuited to hairdressing scissors. Can I watch you work? Good sharpeners don’t mind at all. Whether they sharpen in your salon, in their vans or elsewhere, they’re proud to show you their skills and talk you through what they are doing. If someone refuses, rushes, or avoids being seen, that usually tells you everything you need to know. How long will it take? This is a surprisingly reliable indicator. 25 or more minutes: Normal for scissors that are worn, dropped, or overdue for a service. Around 15 minutes : Only if your scissors are already in very good condition. Under 10 minutes: That’s a major red flag. Proper sharpening simply can’t be done well that fast. Where are you based? Can I find you online? A professional should have a card, a website, real reviews, and a home base. Be cautious of sharpeners who travel huge distances, and leave nothing behind to trace them. If you can’t find them again, you can’t get support if something is wrong with their work. Do you carry spare parts? Washers, bumpers, screws, finger rings and finger rests—these things wear out. A sharpener without parts can only do half a job. Do you take the scissors apart? This is where most problems start. A correct service includes full disassembly, cleaning, inspection with a loupe before and after, sharpening, polishing, and oiling before reassembly. If they don’t take apart the scissors, they simply can’t do half of what needs to be done. Can you show me how to care for my scissors after sharpening them? A sharpener who knows their craft should easily explain: cleaning oiling tension what could be done to reduce fatigue when cutting hair for long hours. How to keep the scissors sharp for as long as possible. If they can’t explain it, it’s a sign they do not give scissors a full service and don’t fully understand how scissors work. Bonus information about scissor sharpening Refining the edge Before sharpening, the cutting edges show signs of wear, reflecting the light where they have become rounded, rolled or nicked. A true professional ensures that all damage is ground away and the sharp edge is clean and invisible. You can check it with your phone’s macro photo mode or a jeweler’s loupe or by cutting cling film or a single ply of wet tissue. No tearing means that their sharpening was successful. Finishing the tips The tips should meet cleanly with a tiny overlap, never scratchy when closed or misaligned. This may require trimming the bumper or slightly bending the handles. Lastly, the outside of the tips are shaped such that the scissors cut cleanly to the very tip but do not scratch when closed. If the finishing work is rushed, you’ll feel it when point cutting. Matching the original geometry Every pair of scissors has a special design: A slight curve to the blade; the tips should not be rounded bevel edges or convex edges Some scissors have micro-serrations on one edge the teeth of texturizers are usually notched Your scissors should come back looking like your scissors, never with a change of profile, new scratches, a blunt bevel, or missing teeth detail. If that happens, the sharpener used the wrong method or the wrong machine. Checking the set. The set is the subtle inward curve that makes your scissors glide and cut effortlessly once the rideline is polished. It is checked by taking the scissors apart and pressing the centre of each blade against a flat reference plate with a light behind. Some scissors made from forged steel can have the set corrected using a hammer or a bending block. Others, made from cast steel, like those from Jowell have little potential for correction as they snap easily and will need to be replaced if the set issues are severe. Polishing the rideline grit  Japanese-style scissors have a hollow inside and a thin ride line of less than a millimetre width. In Japanese, this is described as a clam-shell design. The scissors must be polished on a fine grit Japanese waterstone while disassembled. Cutting the burr by simply closing the blades (while appropriate for Kiepe and some other cheap models of scissors) leaves most hairdressing scissors crunchy. A smooth, buttery glide comes only from proper polishing. Wrapping up When you use a sharpener who can answer your questions with confidence, explain what they’re doing without hesitation, and work openly in front of you, you’ll notice the difference the very next time you pick up your scissors. The glide feels right. The balance feels natural. Your cuts feel effortless again. That’s when you know your tools are being cared for the way they were always meant to be. If you’re in Somerset or the surrounding counties and want this level of service, get in touch with me,   Dominic, at Toucan Blades, I am always happy to talk through what your scissors need and what you can expect from a proper professional service.

As a child in St Albans, I did my best to learn from my grandfather and other master craftsmen with whom I would spend my holiday time in Wiltshire. I put a lot of time into sharpening my parents’ kitchen knives, and my pocket knife and sickle. I grew into an adult that pays a lot of attention to detail, with perfectionist tendencies, actually! I continued to sharpen tools for myself and for others, getting particularly good at sharpening machetes when I was farming in Belize. Toucan Blades started with a simple passion—bringing dull blades back to their best. For a few years, some friends in Belize in Central America where I lived from 2002 were urging me to offer my sharpening skills at the local farmers’ market. I finally took them up on it in March, 2021. My business was called AjJik’ , which is Maya for “the sharpening man”. I began just with a Carborundum stone which cost £3 at a hardware store. I practised, researched and took training with very experienced sharpeners. Like my grandfather before me, I set out on my bicycle with my tools to reach my customers. As I became proficient at sharpening and established a regular clientele, I was able to invest the sharpening income into the purchase of more equipment, growing the business organically. My wife, Nuna, and I decided to relocate to my hometown of St Albans and later to Langport, Somerset. Since May 2022, I have been continuing in the sharpening trade in England but with the new name of Toucan Blades , the keel-billed toucan being the national bird of Belize. Nuna is also part of the business, she does all the graphic design, website and advertising for Toucan Blades.

Before sending your order, please contact me to discuss your needs and costs. The price list for the most commonly sharpen items can be found here . Packing your blades When you are ready send your blades to my workshop, it's important that your blades are wrapped in conformity to the safety rules of the service delivering them; to avoid damaging them or cutting through handlers or other parcels. I recommend putting plastic sleeves on each blade, and that they be inside a knife wrap or at least rolled in a towel tied tight or in a scissor case. Stay tuned, by the end of 2022, I plan to offer plastic sleeves and knife wraps on my online store. Mailing address Please send or drop by your blades to my workshop: Dominic McDonagh 83 Gurkha Road Blandford Forum Dorset DT11 7FL Tel: 07341 628018 Click here to see my location on Google Maps . At the workshop Upon receiving your blades, I will: Send you an updated estimate if it varies from what we have already discussed before. Do the work that you have agreed to Send you an invoice including the cost of the courier of your choice. Book the return courier as soon as I receive your payment, your blades should be back in your hands by the end of the next day.

Almost all mobile sharpening businesses in Britain work out of the back of a van using a range of electric machines. Some people remember a time when mobile sharpeners used to have just one grind stone that they turned with the pedals of their bicycle. I offer modern mobile sharpening using specialist power tools. One of my machines was made in Belfast of Japanese components especially designed for sharpening and polishing convex hairdressing shears. Go green: sharpen, don't discard! Sharpening is a craft which is ecologically sound because it gives a long life to tools that take large quantities of raw materials and energy to make and then distribute around the world; without sharpening, these tools get discarded and replaced with new ones. Whenever possible, I reach my clients by bicycle, so my sharpening is even greener! Find out more about the items I sharpen at www.toucanblades.co.uk/pricelist . #ToucanBlades #SharpeningService #WestHertfordshire #Sharpener

The lucky owner of these knives faced a farcical situation at his Sunday dinner party: despite having the best German knives you can buy, and everyone around the table being big foodies, no-one could slice the roast. The edges of the knives were torn up, not keen. The culprit: the pull-through sharpener (Wüsthoff Ikon like the knives). The host felt it was time to look for a sharpener, and chose Toucan Blades. The next morning, Dominic arrived and made all his knives like new. He was so pleased he sent a message on WhatsApp to his chef-brother about it, who then arranged to bring his knives and scissors from Essex for Toucan Blades to sharpen as well. Unfortunately, you get diminishing returns from using any pull-through sharpener. There are no short-cuts or easy Tik-Tok hacks when it comes to sharpening. It takes not only an investment in tools but considerable skill. So call a professional: call Toucan Blades.

Keep your hairdressing scissors sharp and smooth for years If you’re a stylist or barber, you already know—your scissors aren’t just tools, they’re an extension of your hands and your livelihood. But I’ve seen far too many beautiful shears ruined by the wrong cleaners, lack of oiling, or simply by being left damp or tossed in a drawer. That’s why I put together the Toucan Blades Scissor Care Kit, designed for professionals who want to protect their tools for the long haul. It’s a simple, no-fuss set of essentials to help your scissors stay smooth, sharp, and corrosion-free for years. The kit includes: ✅ Microfibre cloth ✅ Professional scissor cleaner ✅ Pivot oil You can also get my loupe, sold separately. It lets you see close-up details of your blades—great for spotting build-up, nicks, or early corrosion. It’s the same kind of magnification sharpeners use to inspect the edge before and after service. Here’s how to do a daily scissor care routine: 1. Wipe after every cut Hair, product, and moisture build up fast. Use the included microfibre cloth to gently clean your blades after each client. It’s quick and makes a real difference. Just remember to keep the cloth clean, too—don’t transfer grime from one pair to the next. 2. Disinfect daily—gently Spray your shears with the cleaner included in the kit. Then polish them dry with the cloth to lift away any residue and oil. Got thinning scissors? Run dental floss between the teeth and use a stiff brush to get into those tricky corners. ⚠️ Never use Clippercide or Barbicide—they can corrode the blades and ruin your edge. 3. Oil the pivot At the end of your shift, add a single drop of scissor oil to the pivot point. It keeps the action smooth and reduces wear from friction. Your hand (and your sharpener) will thank you. 4. Store smart Scissors should always be stored closed—in a protective case or with the handles tied. Leaving them open increases the risk of chipping and misalignment, especially in busy salon drawers. Based in Somerset and want to get the kit? The Scissor Care Kit is available directly from me. It’s often purchased alongside my premium convex and thinning scissors from Bladez and Kata, but you can grab the kit on its own too. I also offer refills, so you can keep your kit stocked for the long term — and if you’re unsure how to use it, I’m happy to walk you through the daily scissor care routine in person when I deliver it. 📞 Call or message me on 07341 628018 to arrange a sale. #ToucanBlades #ScissorCare #HairShears #SomersetStylists #SharpToolsSharpResults

If you’re a hairdresser or barber in Somerset, you know how important a good pair of scissors is. But buying online can feel like a gamble. Will they fit your hand? Will they suit your cutting style? And what happens if they don’t? That’s where I come in. Engineered to last - Professional hairdressing scissors you can try before you buy At Toucan Blades, I stock a wide range of professional hairdressing and barbering scissors — including both convex and thinning shears, and even left-handed models. You’ll find top-quality brands like Bladez  and Kata , trusted by stylists for their comfort, balance, and precision. The best part? You get to test them in person. Feel the weight, try the grip, make a few snips. No guesswork - just the right tool for your hand and your work. As a sharpener by trade, I don’t just sell scissors - I know  what makes them last. Most scissors sold in the UK are cast, which limits how well they can be sharpened over time. The scissors I sell are forged from high-grade stainless steel, meaning they can be finely honed again and again over years of service. They also feature replaceable hardware, which I stock in a variety of colours, so your shears stay in great shape for the long haul. Prices are competitive with what you’ll find online - most pairs range from £150 to £300  - but with me, you’re not buying blind. You’re getting proper, local support and a pair of scissors you’ll actually enjoy using every day. I also provide Scissor Care Kits and loupes - along with hands-on guidance - so you can look after both your new and well-loved scissors with confidence. 📍 Based in Somerset? Give me a ring or WhatsApp me to schedule a visit. I’ll come to you, scissors in hand. 📞 07341 628018 Professional hairdressing scissors for sale

See what your scissors are really telling you: Why every stylist needs a loupe Ever wondered what sharpeners are looking at so closely when they inspect your shears? Chances are, they’re using a jeweller’s loupe — a small but powerful magnifier that reveals the tiniest nicks, chips, and wear patterns on your blades. And it’s not just for us sharpeners anymore. If you’re a hairdresser or barber who wants to take better care of your tools, a loupe is one of the smartest little investments you can make. A jeweller’s loupe is a compact magnifying lens — mine offers 10x magnification, which is ideal for scissor inspection. It’s strong enough to show you exactly what’s happening along your cutting edge, without distortion. That means you can see: ✅ Tiny chips or dings that could tug on hair ✅ Residue buildup that regular wiping misses ✅ Whether your oil is actually reaching the pivot ✅ The condition of your screw and ride area ✅ How your thinning scissors’ teeth are holding up These are the same things I look for before and after sharpening. Having your own loupe lets you catch issues early, before they affect your cutting or lead to damage. How to use it Using a loupe is easy once you get the hang of it: Hold your scissors under a light — Natural daylight or a strong lamp works best. Bring the loupe close to your eye — Not the object. Move the scissors toward the loupe until the blade edge comes into sharp focus. Tilt and rotate slowly to catch reflections from the edge — this helps reveal chips and dull spots. It’s especially handy for checking your scissors after cleaning or before a big haircut. You’ll spot buildup or damage you’d never see with the naked eye — and you’ll know exactly when to call in your sharpener. A smart habit, not just a gadget Many pros only notice a problem once they feel it — tugging, folding, or pushing hair. But by then, the edge may already be damaged. With a loupe, you can stay one step ahead. It helps you fine-tune your daily scissor care routine and know when it's time for a service or deep clean. If you’ve picked up my Scissor Care Kit , the loupe fits right in as a bonus tool for serious scissor love. And if you’re using premium shears — like the ones I stock from Bladez and Kata — it’s a great way to protect your investment between sharpens. Want one? The loupe is available directly from me (just like the care kits and scissors). I can show you how to use it properly when we meet — no guesswork. Call or WhatsApp me at 07341 628018 to arrange a visit. #ToucanBlades #HairShears #ScissorCare #SomersetStylists #SharpToolsSharpResults #KnowYourEdge