Tip number seven on my list of the things you can do RIGHT NOW to be a better haircutter is to use shorter scissors. It is all about control. You control the tool that builds the haircut. Good precision haircutting is done with the last half-inch of the scissor. Every scissor at any length has half an inch on the end. Why have all that scissor looking to get in trouble when you only really need the last half inch?

The 5.5-inch scissor is the standard of precision haircutters. 5.5-inch scissors are easy to handle and manipulate. Longer scissors have more leverage, but we are not cutting barber wire. Even the coarsest hair textures cut smoothly and easily with 5.5-inch scissors. In tips five and six, we addressed sections and guides. I explained the importance of cutting less hair each time you cut. All that leverage is unnecessary.

Longer scissors are preferred for shear-over-comb. That might be an interesting argument; however, I would be more inclined to suggest clipper-over-comb for nearly all tapering application in the first place. Don’t reach for longer scissors, reach for your clipper in that case.

We know not to cut past the second knuckle. We know this is not about blade length, but about tension between our fingers. Cutting with a 5.5-inch scissors takes away the second knuckle conversation, too. Three small snips for precision and control will get you from the tip of your fingers to the second knuckle. Re-comb and re-grip to make the next cut. Having more control of your cutting by way of a shorter scissor will make you a better haircutter immediately.

Happy haircutting,

Ivan