Selecting Shears

Shears are probably the most personal tool in the grooming shop. When groomers are asked about their favorite shear, they will most likely talk about how it feels before they mention actual performance. They will talk about it being balanced, light, comfortable or smooth. All of these terms are hard to quantify when creating criteria for selecting shears.  Of course price, functionality, durability and cutting edge are all important considerations, but if it doesn’t feel right, the rest won’t even matter.  

Comfort

People come in all different shapes and sizes, and everyone has a different idea about what is comfortable. Ideally, shears should feel light, to reduce stress and fatigue. But what is “light?” Like selecting the correct bowling ball, what feels too heavy to one person might feel just right to the next. The longer the shear, the heavier it will be.  Some manufacturers have solved this problem by putting holes in their nine-inch or 10-inch shears to reduce the weight without affecting performance. 

If the weight is acceptable, then the “fit” needs to be checked. How a shear fits is based on the length and shape of the shank and the finger holes. If these aren’t proportionate to the hand, the shear will feel like it doesn’t fit.  

The shank is the part of the shear between the pivot screw and the finger hole.  Some people prefer a longer shank, while others are more comfortable with a short shank. The shorter shank allows the shear to open wider with less hand movement, thus reducing fatigue and repetitive movement injury.  

To check the fit, hold the shear in a scissoring position.  With the hand in a natural, relaxed position, the first knuckle of the pointer finger should rest just above the pivot screw.  The thumb should be able to move the blade with minimal effort and movement.  

The next place a shear needs to fit is in the finger and thumb holes. The shear should feel secure, and the holes should not pinch or put pressure on finger or thumb. Rings are available that fit inside the holes to help customize a better fit and grip.  

Shear manufacturers are constantly looking for ways to make shears lighter, more ergonomic and more comfortable without compromising quality.  Innovations include a bent shank, double finger rings, swivel thumb rings and removable finger rests. A bent shank refers to a shear that has its shank offset from the blades. This allows the shear to scissor over an area without having the hand touch the scissored coat. It is also helpful with scissoring hard-to-reach places, like between the rear legs.  

Tension

Tension will also affect how a shear feels. Tension refers to the resistance when closing the blades. If a shear doesn’t have a good feel, check the tension. Many shears have a dial adjuster. Some have a screw and require a tool to adjust. Tension should run even through the length of the blades. It should be slight, with an even increase in resistance as the blades close. Ball bearings are sometimes added to shears with a dial adjuster. The ball bearing will create a very smooth feel while cutting.  

Blade Length

After selecting the features that make a shear comfortable, the purpose and functionality of the shear should be considered. The type of job the shear needs to perform, the average size of the pets groomed, and the skill level of the groomer will determine the type needed. The most popular shear is an 8.5-inch straight shear. This length covers an adequate amount of surface area and will work for a majority of scissoring tasks.  Standard straight shears usually range from 6.5 to 10 inches. In general, the length of the shear should be proportionate to the size of the dog being groomed. 

Blade Edge

Shear blades will have one of two common edges:  a convex edge (Japanese style) or a beveled edge (German style). Convex-edge shears provide the highest level of sharpness. Due to the craftsmanship required to make a convex edge, they tend to be more expensive to purchase and sharpen. If using convex-edge shears, always have them sharpened by a reputable professional sharpener to ensure the convex edge is maintained. As convex shears become more affordable and more widely available, they are increasing in popularity.  Again, proper maintenance and sharpening is key.  

Beveled-edge shears (also known as non-honed shears) are more forgiving and do not nick as easily. They are generally easier and less expensive to sharpen. Beveled-edge shears are still an ideal choice for novice and student groomers.  

Function

Some jobs require a shear other than the standard straight shear. A curved shear is used when a finished angle of 45 degrees or more is needed–think pom-poms or top knots on standard poodles, or balls on feet.  

Ball-tip shears are recommended when working on an animal’s face, to prevent accidental injury. Many groomers prefer curved ball-tip shears for working areas around the eyes and nose. 

Blenders and thinners are becoming increasingly popular. They have one blade that is a traditional shear blade with a second blade that looks like a comb. Thinners are designed to thin the coat and can be used to cut out mats and work close to the body. Blenders are designed to finish and blend the coat. They soften the lines and blend the coat so that there are no obvious scissor or blade tracks in the coat. The spacing of the teeth and number of teeth determines the amount of hair that will be cut or thinned. The further apart the teeth are on the blade, the greater the amount of hair that will be cut. A double-tooth thinner that has teeth on both blades will thin the most hair, while cutting the least. Blenders and thinners are particularly sensitive to tension. The tension should be tighter than a regular shear and should be adjusted as little as possible. If a thinner or blender is not cutting properly, check the tension.  

Price

Even today’s shears are still, in part, hand crafted, and good craftsmanship can be expensive.  When looking at prices, it is important to compare as many similar features as possible. Compare shears of the same length, blade edge, blade composition, etc., and select a shear that has all the features needed at the best price.  Also compare what accessories come with the shear, such as a case, extra finger/ thumb rings or silencers. Don’t forget to check product guarantees, warranties and return policies.  

Maintenance

A pair of shears can be a significant investment. Be sure to protect this investment by properly storing and caring for it.  Use premium shears only on clean hair.  Always keep shears clean and dry, and store them in a protective case to maintain the blade edge. 

Also, be careful of shears during a groom. Gary Hartwell, sharpening and repair manager for Ryan’s Pet Supplies, says that many of the shears he receives from groomers need repair due to being knocked off a grooming table. Place shears in a pocket or holster while grooming and avoid setting them on the table.  Finally, have your shears sharpened and maintained by a professional sharpener.  

Michelle Austin has been Project Manager for Ryan’s Pet Supplies since 2001. Ryan’s Pet Supplies manufactures, imports and distributes professional pet care products. Michelle is involved in most aspects of the business. She participates in new product selection and development, catalog production, and managing marketing and communications for the company.