Every barber wants to deliver the absolute best quality of service for their clients. Your knowledge and skills as a barber will have a huge impact on the outcomes of your services. Still, these aren’t the only inputs of success you should take care of to remain competitive in your profession. Your equipment, such as scissors and shears also need proper maintenance to keep performing as expected.

Despite the importance, some of these tips aren’t always taught in cosmetology schools, which is why you should take a Barber License Renewal course from a top provider like RocketCert. Read on to discover the best tips for keeping your scissors and shears in top condition:

1. Handle Them Carefully

Haircutting scissors and shears are meant to be handled gently and carefully during use. Throwing them hard on the counter or dropping them on the floor can cause blade misalignment or even damage the cutting edge of the blades. Even though damaged or nicked shears can be serviced and repaired, it’s best to maintain them in their original condition for top performance.

Additionally, avoid letting others use your scissors. High-quality Hair Cutting scissors and shears are typically expensive and designed for special use. They, therefore, shouldn’t be used for everyday applications such as opening a bag of chips or cutting wrapping paper.

2. Clean Your Shears Adequately

You should clean and sanitise your shears as often as you can, typically between uses. Still, it’s a good idea to wipe the shears regularly during the same cut to keep hair fragments, water, and even perspiration from messing with the shears’ cutting performance. Besides, allowing water, sweat, and cleaning solution to dry on the surface of your scissors or shears can cause cross-contamination hence increasing the chances of spreading infections.

Here are the quick steps you should use to clean and sanitise your scissors and shears:

Step 1: Wipe off any excess dirt, loose hair, and sticky residue from the blades and around the pivot point of your shears

Step 2: Rinse the shears/scissors with soap and water.

Step 3: Dry the shears/scissors carefully

Step 4: Pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol or quaternium sanitising solution onto a cleaning cloth and use it to sanitise your scissors

Step 5: Use a paper towel to wipe off any moisture that remains on the shears

Step 6: Apply an optimal amount of oil to the pivot joint and the blades (avoid using too much oil since it can make them quite slippery, hence making it more likely to drop them). Rub the oil gently into the scissors using a soft cloth and wipe off the excess oil.

3. Store Your Shears Properly

After cleaning, sanitising, and drying your shears, you should store them in a protected and dry location to maximise their life and maintain their performance. It’s best to get a protective case with a protective, absorbent lining to ensure your shears are free from moisture and other environmental factors. The case should have a distinct compartment for the shears. In addition, you should never store the shears loosely with other tools, especially if you move your storage boxes around.

4. Maintain the Right Tension

Your shears’ blades shouldn’t only be sharp but also easy and comfortable to use. Too little tension in the shears can damage your blades in addition to stressing your hands. A lot of tension, on the other hand, will cause premature wear on the blade and faster dulling.

If loose, tighten the shears until they are cut effortlessly. You may have to make tiny adjustments until you find the perfect tension.

Get These and More Tips Through CE

As a barber, there’s a lot you need to learn throughout your career. Since learning never stops after licensing, you should invest in different forms of continuing education (CE) to enhance your knowledge and skills. RocketCert offers plenty of expertly written resources in this field, so be sure to check them out.

With online courses that are available 24/7 on most devices and a team of expert tutors, you will have everything you need to succeed in your career!