To get the most enjoyment from your shears and to keep them working at their peak, you must take care of them. Shears that are damaged due to corrosion and misuse often times can not be repaired. To ensure many years of optimum cutting performance follow these easy tips:
1) Clean your shears
At the end of each work day wipe away any visible impediment. Open your shears and thoroughly clean the pivot area being sure to remove all hair, dirt, oils, and hair products. Use rubbing alcohol and a micro fiber rag or cotton ball to sanitize your hair cutting scissors at the end of each day.
2) Lubricate
Oiling your shear with a lubricant is important. Regularly lubricating your scissor will wash away dirt and debris build up and ease the opening and closing of your shear. There are some really good options available on the market, but we have found WD40 to be our favorite lubricant. By spraying a thin coat to the inside of your shear edges a few times a week and wiping clean with a micro fiber rag or paper tower, you'll help add a longer lifespan to your scissor. Do not use the spray lubricants that are designed for your clippers on your shears since they contain substances that can react to the steel in some shears and cause permanent damage.
3) Be gentle
The edge work on your shears is precise and can be damaged fairly easily. One of the biggest culprits to damaging shears is dropping them accidentally. Dropping your shears on your station or table can cause the shears to be rendered useless until repaired. Depending on the manufacturing process, some shears can break if dropped.
4) Damaged shears
When you continue to use a shear that is damaged, not only can it make the damage worse, it can actually be harmful. If you continue to cut with a shear that is nicked, the nick can actually grow requiring more metal to be removed to restore the edge thereby reducing the life of the scissor. Also, by using a damaged shear, you will be working longer and harder. The result can be a repetitive motion illness or accidentally cutting your client.
5) Back up
A back up shear is invaluable if your primary shear is unusable. This shear can be used when your main shear is being serviced, especially if your sharpener has to send your scissor back to the "factory," which could take weeks. It is also a good idea to use this scissor when cutting damaged hair that you don't want to cut with your first pair.