What are the Best Dog Grooming Scissors Made From?
Whilst many may believe that dog grooming scissors are 'just made from steel', the types of steel used can make the difference between a dog groomer using an unreliable scissor and a very high-end dog grooming scissor.
Understanding Scissor Steel & The Different Quality Types.
It can be challenging to figure out which pair of scissors to buy, with so many brands and models available and with various names and steel types.
Scissor steel quality is determined by the Rockwell Hardness Rating (HRC/HR). In short, this scale measures a scissor's strength and overall hardness. The higher the HRC, the harder the steel, the sharper the cutting edge, the more resistant to corrosion and rust and the more expensive it is.
What are the best steels for Dog Grooming Scissors?
All types of scissors are made from various types of Stainless steel, but the most reliable stainless steel comes from Japan. The most popular Japanese stainless steels for scissors are 440c, VG10(VG-10), VG1 (VG-1) and cobalt ATS314 (ATS-314).
What is 440c Japanese Stainless Steel?
What is VG10 Stainless Steel?
VG10 is the premium-grade steel that is known for its exceptional sharpness and edge retention. It contains higher levels of carbon (around 1%) and chromium (around 15%) compared to the VG1 steel, which gives it superior hardness and wear resistance. VG10 is also more expensive than VG1 and 440c steel due to its higher quality.
To view Abbfabb's VG10 Dog Grooming Scissor collection, please click here.
What is VG1 Stainless Steel?
VG1 is a high-quality stainless steel that is known for its toughness and durability. It is also very resistant to corrosion and rust, which makes it an excellent choice for hairdressing scissors, dog grooming scissors and kitchen knives.
VG1 steel contains approximately 0.95% carbon and around 14-15% chromium and is a very high-quality stainless steel that is tough, durable, and corrosion-resistant.
What is Cobalt Stainless Steel?
The Japanese Cobalt ATS-314 steel is the highest-grade steel and is superior to all the stainless steel scissors currently available. This steel is heat treated in very high temperatures using special ceramic technology and then ice tempered in very low temperatures. The cutting edges of Cobalt scissors will maintain their sharpness for a very long time. Scissors made from Cobalt Stainless Steel are extremely expensive with starting prices of around £350.
These types of steels produce scissors with shaper cutting edges, a lightweight feel, require less frequent sharpening and make perfect ergonomics.
Dog Grooming Scissors made from Japanese stainless steel tend to use sharp convex-edged blades, and the hardened premium steel ensures that the cutting edge remains sharper for longer.
Where does the better-quality stainless steel come from?
- Japanese Steel: Highest Quality in the World
- German Steel: Best Quality Steel from Europe
- Korean Steel: Second Best Steel from Asia
- Taiwanese Steel" High-Quality Steel
- Chinese Steel: Great Quality of Steel
Lower-quality of steel is made in India, Pakistan and Vietnam. Due to the quality of the steel itself, the metal tends to be softer and cheaper to make. As a result, the scissors tend to produced in bulk and the price of each scissor made from this type steel, is cheaper to purchase, compared to 440c steel scissors. The cutting edge of the blades will blunt quicker compared to 440c Stainless Steel scissors, and will therefore, require sharpening more often.
Using a dog grooming scissor from less quality steel will mean that a dog groomer will save money on the initial purchase, but will be spending more money on sharpening and/or replacing the scissor, if and when the scissor becomes unusable.
So, why is 440C Japanese Stainless Steel the most popular steel for dog grooming scissors?
The majority of dog grooming scissors are forged from 440c Japanese stainless steel, as this steel works incredibly well with the structure and coarseness of a dog’s coat, the hardness of the steel allows the cutting edge of the blades to remain sharp for a more extended period compared to other metals. This benefit enables a dog groomer to use their scissors for longer periods between sharpening sessions.
In addition, as the steel is hard, a dog groomer may use the scissors for extended periods, especially throughout an intricate trim or when removing mats. It is the perfect all-rounder steel in the world of stainless steel.
440c Japanese Stainless Steel is also wonderfully lightweight, so for the dog groomer, they will benefit as it is kinder to their fingers, hands, wrists, and shoulders and can help prevent future aches and pains associated with dog grooming.
Durable and Rust Free
The science behind this is that stainless steel is an alloy made from steel and chromium. This chemical combination creates a strong alloy that will maintain its sharpness over an extended period. Stainless steel is very tough and, as a result, will drastically increase the blade's durability and lifespan. If the scissor is well maintained, Japanese stainless steel is expected to last between five and ten years.
Furthermore, due to the chemical combination of the 440c stainless steel, rust is extremely unlikely to occur because the alloy is highly resistant to erosion.
Reliable and Easy Maintenance
The fact that stainless steel does not rust is a fantastic bonus to a dog groomer. Scissor maintenance is a vital part of owning dog grooming scissors, but working in a moist environment, as many dog grooming salons are, can mean that the dog grooming scissors are damp, covered in wet hair, sweat and oils from the dog's coat/skin as well as the groomer's skin, for long periods during the working day.
In addition, over time, rust can develop on all metals and alloys, so using a material that reduces the risk of rust is crucial to the performance and longevity of a dog groomer's scissor collection.
So in conclusion..
Owning dog grooming scissors made from high-quality stainless steel will benefit the dog groomer in a number of ways;
- Better quality dog grooms.
- Longevity and performance from the scissors.
- Less sharpening required.
- Reliable and durable.
- Less risk of rust.
- Better ergonomics
- Better for the physical health of the dog groomer.
- Saves the dog groomer money in the long run.