Are you tired of feeling like you’re playing a game of “Guess Which Shears” every time you pick up a pair of scissors? It’s time to add some excitement to your hair styling game! In this article, we’ll not only help you distinguish between blending shears and thinning shears but also give you some fun tips and tricks to make your hair cutting experience more enjoyable. Get ready to up your hair styling game and have some fun while doing it!
What are Blending Shears Used For?
Blending is a popular technique in hairstyling that creates seamless transitions between different sections of the hair. And for achieving that perfect blend, blending shears are the go-to tool for hairstylists. These specially designed shears are perfect for creating natural-looking and gradual layers in the hair.
What are Thinning Shears Used For?
Thinning shears are a must-have tool for anyone looking to remove extra volume or thin out thick hair. Unlike blending shears, which are designed to create seamless transitions, thinning shears have two serrated edges that remove hair in a more jagged pattern. This allows hairstylists to thin out hair significantly without losing length. True thinning shears are also able to be used close to the skin without causing damage.
But volume can be removed using thinning shears and blending can be done using thinning shears. So what’s the difference between the two?
Professional blending shears have a blunt blade and the other blade has teeth while professional thinning shears have teeth on both blades.
Professional texturizing shears are designed to have more teeth on the side of the blade, which allows them to remove hair in a more controlled and precise manner. Premium thinning shears, in particular, can have up to 40 teeth or more, making them highly effective at removing volume and creating texture.
Check out the HH40T Mazeru – 40 teeth texturizing shear
When it comes to blending shears, they can also add texture to hair, but the degree to which they do so depends on the amount of texture you want to achieve. Professional blending shears typically have a blunt blade on one side and teeth on the other, which allows for a more subtle blending effect.
Similarly, professional thinning shears feature teeth on both blades, which enables them to remove hair in a more jagged pattern, creating a more pronounced texturized effect. Ultimately, the design and number of teeth on each type of shear make them best suited for different hair cutting techniques.
Can Thinning Shears Ruin Your Hair?
Thinning shears can damage hair if not used properly. If the thinning shears are not used properly, the hair can take several months to grow back. Teeth are evenly spaced on thinning shears and depending on the cutting/thinning ratio. These shears can cut the 2nd, 3rd, and 4rth strand depending on the thinning ratio.
If these thinning shears are used too much on a particular section of hair, they can take away a whole bunch of hair which can be disastrous for the client. This is a common problem known as over-texturizing or over-graduation. Care must be exercised while using texturizing shears.
Guide to Using Thinning & Blending Shears Properly
Thinning shears are an intricate affair requiring care and attention. To use the thinning shears for blending layers properly, follow the steps below.
1. Section the hair
The hairstylist should divide the hair into sections using clips. Professional hairstylists generally start from the bottom layer of the hair.
2. Identify areas that need thinning
choose the areas that need to be thinned out. This includes sections with too much bulk or uneven layers. Hanzo offers several swivel shear options with excellent ergonomics and left-handed sear options are also available.
3. Holding the thinning shears correctly
Hold the thinning or blending shears in your dominant hand and keep the comb size downwards.
4. Start thinning/blending
Hold the section of hair in one hand and use the thinning/blending shears to cut at a diagonal angle. Use a swift zigzag motion.
5. Repeat for all Sections
Repeat step 1 to 4 for all the sections and keep checking for balance in between.
Always avoid removing too much hair at once and causing an uneven effect. Try to check the balance all along while blending or thinning sections.
How to Take Care of Thinning Shears?
For a professional hairstylist, shears are the most important tool and they need to be cared for. A few simple steps can improve the lifespan of your beloved hair thinning shear.
Cleaning after use
Use a clean soft cloth to remove hair off the shears. Avoid use of harsh and abrasive chemicals for cleaning. The Hanzo Chamois cleaning cloth costs just $2 and can help you keep your shears clean.
Lubricate Regularly
To prevent rust, apply some shear to the pivot area.
Store Properly
Always store your shears properly using a quality shear case. Hanzo has awesome shear case options to choose from. The HHC4 Shear Case is made with 100 percent vegan leather and can store 4 shears.
Chunking Shears vs Thinning Shears
Professional hairstylists often differentiate between chunking shears and thinning shears. Chunking shears are the ones that are used to remove bulk mass from the hair. These shears have wider teeth that remove chunks of hair. These chunking shears can be used for creating excellent textured finish. Thinning shears have finer teeth and are more useful in creating tapered looks.
Blending Shears Vs Thinning Shears FAQ
What are blending shears used for?
Blending shears are used for creating natural-looking and gradual layers in the hair, using a technique called blending that creates seamless transitions between different sections of the hair.
What are thinning shears used for?
Thinning shears are used for removing extra volume or thinning out thick hair, using a technique that removes hair in a more jagged pattern.
What’s the difference between blending shears and thinning shears?
Blending shears have a blunt blade on one side and teeth on the other, which allows for a more subtle blending effect. Thinning shears, on the other hand, have teeth on both blades, which enables them to remove hair in a more jagged pattern, creating a more pronounced texturized effect.
Can thinning shears ruin your hair?
Yes, thinning shears can damage hair if not used properly. If used too much on a particular section of hair, they can take away a whole bunch of hair, leading to over-texturizing or over-graduation, which can be disastrous for the client.
How to prevent over-texturizing?
Care must be exercised while using texturizing shears. Always avoid removing too much hair at once and causing an uneven effect. Try to check the balance all along while blending or thinning sections.
What is the best blending shear from Hanzo?
The HHVT1 Mamba Texturizer is made from premium high-carbon Japanese stainless steel. It features 14 angled teeth that are ⅛ inch in size, allowing it to glide smoothly through hair, making it an ideal tool for blending.
What is the best thinning shear from Hanzo?
The HHVT3 is the best option for a thinning shear. It has countersunk locking tension control, with a brushed handle, and screw-in bump. This thinning shear features 27 teeth and is designed to soften hair.
Top Thinning And Blending Shears by Hanzo
Now that you have a good idea of blending shears vs thinning shears, why not explore some of our best shears? Hanzo offers a vast range of quality texturizing shears which are perfect for blending and thinning. If you are looking for excellent blending and thinning shears, the Mamba series is the best choice for your professional needs.
Best Blending Shear from Hanzo
The HHVT1 Mamba Texturizer is made from premium high-carbon Japanese stainless steel. It features 14 angled teeth that are ⅛ inch in size. These teeth have sword-like edges that allow it to glide smoothly through hair, making it an ideal tool for blending. The high-quality materials ensure that it will perform effectively and provide a precise and consistent cut for a long time.
If you are looking for excellent thinning shears, the HHVT3 is the best option. It has countersunk locking tension control, with a brushed handle, and screw in bump. This thinning shear features 27-teeth and is designed to soften hair. This is such a versatile tool that can be used at the end of every haircut. Perfect for dry cutting.
Best Thinning + Blending Shears from Hanzo
The HHVT2 is a versatile texturizing shear that combines the best features of the HHVT1 and HHVT3 models. This 23 tooth shear is perfect for both thinning and blending. It is crafted from high-carbon Japanese stainless steel and includes a countersunk tension control for added precision. This shear can be used to cut dry hair without causing damage. If you are a professional hairstylist, the HHVT2 texturizing shear is a great choice.
