Whether you're a newly qualified groomer, or an experienced grooming pro, with a huge variety of grooming scissors out there on the market, it can be difficult to know which pairs are the best to invest in for your grooming needs.

At Groomers, we offer a wide selection of grooming scissors tailored to multiple grooming experience levels, from beginners to experienced professionals. In this guide, we're breaking down all the main points to consider when choosing your next pair of grooming scissors and why we believe our exceptional scissors are the perfect choice for you, regardless of your grooming experience.

Table of Contents:

On a dog - which scissor do you use where?

Popular scissor terms explained

Why is scissor tension important?

Dog grooming scissors - which scissor is best for you?

Scissor collections explained

Simply G

Topaz

Kanpeki Scissors

On a dog - which scissor do you use where?

If you're new to grooming, before you even shop for your first pair of scissors, it's helpful to understand the different types available to you and determine which pair is used on which part of a dog's coat.

There are at least five or six different scissor options available in a collection of dog grooming scissors, with any extra options usually being a size variation of the collection's core staples. Most grooming scissor collections include the following:

Straight scissors

Straight scissors are a key component of any groomer's collection. Multipurpose scissors that create beautifully sharp, straight lines, these are often used for general purpose grooming or creating a crisp finish to the coat. Ideal for trimming down the legs and for full-body styling, they're also suitable for delicate areas when used with extra care.

Bull nose scissors

Bull nose scissors are small safety scissors that are straight but have a rounded end rather than coming to a point. Because of their construction, bull-nose scissors are perfect for taking care of the delicate areas of a dog's coat, such as around its eyes, ears and paws.

Curved scissors

Curved scissors are ideal for shaping the hair in places such as the feet and ears of a dog. Effortlessly creating rounded looks, they're great for rounding off faces and feet and for body angulation.

If you closely inspect a dog's form, they have many more curved lines than you'd originally think. For example, their thigh muscles curve down to the hock, their chest blends down into their front legs, and their eyebrows curve off to the shape of their head. Curved scissors help accentuate their natural shape for a more even and natural finish.

Thinning scissors

Thinning scissors are used for thinning and removing bulk from a dog's coat. Also used to remove harsh scissor lines, you can use them all over a dog's coat. A great tool for thinning the featherings on double-coated breeds, they are characterised by their teeth, which depending on the type of thinner, run down one or both sides of the scissor.

Blending scissors

Also known as blending shears, these scissors blend the coat, removing harsh lines and softening the hair around the face and ears. Usually consisting of a solid cutting blade and a serrated teeth blade, the teeth blade allows more hair to be cut and removed in bulk.

Invest in blenders for blending short and long hair effectively for a more natural texture, to blend away straight scissor lines and uneven areas.

Chunker scissors

Another type of finishing scissor, chunker scissors, or chunkers, are particularly useful for finishing a groom on heavy-coated dogs with thick, dense hair, removing sharp clippers or scissor marks with ease and adding a more natural finishing texture to the coat. Chunkers are also a great choice for blending wavy coats.

Blenders, thinners and chunkers are often grouped under the category of thinning scissors. To find the best pair to invest in for your needs, why not read our blog on the differences between blenders, thinners and chunkers?

Popular scissor terms explained

Now you know the differences between each type of scissors and where best to use them when grooming, we thought we'd explain some other scissor features terminology that you might encounter when shopping for your new grooming scissors. Here are some of the most common:

• Convex edge - a sharp straight edge that provides a smooth, precise cut.
• Off-set crane handles - with your comfort in mind, off-set crane handles allow the hand to sit in a natural position when grooming to minimise tendon strain.
• Fitted-finger rest - lopping away from the top of the handles, a fitted finger rest adds an element of security and helps provide maximum control and comfort whilst you groom.
• Scissor sizes - many scissors come in different sizes, and the size you opt for comes down to personal preference. Smaller scissors are a good choice for beginners and are perfect for grooming smaller breeds.
• The number of teeth - concerning blenders, thinners and chunkers, as a general rule, the more teeth your scissors have, the more hair is removed.
• Stainless steel - a perfect choice for grooming scissors as it's hard-wearing, long-lasting, durable and resilient. At Groomers, our stainless steel scissors are made from recycled and fully recyclable steel with the planet in mind and are abrasion-free to ensure that your scissors will stay looking at their best groom after groom.
• Japanese stainless steel - offering the same benefits as stainless Steel, Japanese stainless steel adds an extra sharpness and sturdiness to a groom.

Scissor tension and why it's important

You’ll find information on scissor tension and how it's correctly adjusted when purchasing your scissors.

Scissor tension is important for maintaining your dog grooming scissors correctly, ensuring your blades perform efficiently, and preventing edge damage.

[Image demonstrating how to test dog grooming scissor tension by holding one handle up and dropping the blade]

Scissor tension is important for professional groomers to get right because loose scissors can bend or fold the dog's coat instead of cleanly cutting it, while overly tight tension causes rapid friction wear and thumb strain over long shifts.

As a general rule of thumb, regular check-ups can prevent accidental nicks and extend blade longevity.

Dog grooming scissors - which scissor is best for you?

There's no single option that serves every single coat layout seamlessly. Finding your sweet spot within our selection depends on the type of dog breeds you are clipping and your current level of experience.

If you're unsure which cut to choose for your dog, why not read our guide on breed-specific styling, where the most popular styling variations are explained in detail to help you decide?

Our scissors collections explained

Whichever scissors you choose, you're guaranteed exceptional quality and value from all scissors across our ranges. Read on to discover more about each collection.

Simply G - perfect for at-home groomers and amateurs

Scissors included in the Simply G range:

• Straight (7")
• Curved (6")
• Bull Nose (4.5")
• Thinner (6.5") With 46 teeth on one side and a smooth edge on the other.
• Chunker (7") With 21 teeth on one side and a smooth edge on the other.

Our Simply G scissors range is perfect for at-home grooming or student groomers. Although these scissors are suitable for all long-haired breeds, they're an ideal choice for Golden Retrievers, Cocker and Springer Spaniels and Irish Setters.

High quality, affordable, and made from durable, hard-wearing and abrasion-free recycled stainless Steel, Simply G scissors are great workhorse tools that are perfect for cutting and grooming all long-haired coats.

With a convex edge that offers a sharp, smooth cut and a comfortable design, they're a great investment if you're starting on your grooming journey.

Each scissor in the range is designed with your comfort in mind, with an off-set crane handle to keep your hand in a natural position to prevent strain. Fitted finger rests and removable finger inserts add maximum comfort and control. And with an easily adjustable flat tensioner and a tension key included, it's never been easier to keep your scissors in exceptional condition.

In the interests of sustainability, our Simply G range is made from fully recycled and recyclable stainless steel. Each pair comes in a fully recycled and recyclable plastic pouch, so you can be safe knowing that your purchase is completely planet-kind.

Topaz - premium scissors perfect for newly qualified and experienced groomers

Scissors available in the Topaz range:

• Bull Nose (4.5")
• Straight (7" or 8")
• Curved (7" or 8")
• Thinner (7") with 50 teeth
• Blender (7") with 40 teeth
• Chunker (7") with 23 teeth

An excellent choice for professional groomers, our Topaz collection's sizing variety, elegance and sophistication make them a desirable scissor option. Designed for maximum comfort and with ultimate precision, they're designed to cut all long-haired coats but are ideal for Cockapoos, Maltese, Shih Tzus and Bearded Collies.

Made in China from recycled and recyclable stainless steel with a convex edge for the smoothest of cuts, each pair of Topaz scissors is incredibly durable and hard-wearing, perfect for busy dog-grooming salons and mobile groomers.

In true Groomers style, each pair of Topaz scissors features removable finger inserts and fitted finger rest for unbelievable comfort. Their off-set crane handle allows the hand to sit in a natural position to prevent strain, and their raised tensioner is eye-catching and simple to adjust.

The thinning scissors in the Topaz range have more teeth than the blenders, allowing them to remove hair more quickly.

A stunning choice that is incredibly durable, the Topaz scissor range from Groomers is a stylish scissor selection that you can rely on!

Kanpeki - exceptional quality scissors for expert groomers

Kanpeki Blackbird Scissors

Scissors included in the Kanpeki Blackbird range:

• Bull nose (4.5”)
• Curved (5.5” and 7.5”)
• Chunker (6.5” with 18 teeth)
• Straight (7” and 8”)
• Thinner (7.5” with 40 teeth)

The exceptional Kanpeki Blackbird scissors range is perfect for an experienced grooming hand. With a modern British design, these scissors are all-around hardworking, suitable for even the toughest of grooms and were built with comfort, power, smoothness and accuracy in mind.

Each pair in the collection features an offset handle and an ergonomic thumb and fixed finger rest to provide the most comfortable experience for the groomer, whilst their Teflon coating increases their durability, offering extra protection against any chemical and moisture damage.

Crafted from toughened stainless steel, the Kanpeki Blackbird range is perfect for all coats but works particularly well on thick, dense and curly coats which may otherwise be difficult to cut.

Kanpeki Gold Scissors

Scissors included in the Kanpeki Gold range:

• Straight (5”, 7” and 8”)
• Chunker (7” with 16 teeth)
• Thinning (7” with 50 teeth)
• Curved (7.5”)
• Blending (7.5” with 25 teeth)

Crafted from specially hardened Japanese steel for extra durability, the Kanpeki Gold range was built with comfort, control and accuracy in mind and is exclusive to Groomers.

Perfect for all-around grooming for an expert hand, each pair offers an ergonomic profiled offset handle for a comfortable scissor grip, a fixed finger rest for ultimate comfort and ball-bearing tension for smooth, accurate, effortless scissoring.

The Kanpeki Gold collection is not only effective, but it looks exceptional. With a stunning gold finish and white pearlised inserts, this collection is a pleasure to use, no matter the groom.

Shop our full collection of grooming scissors at Groomers

Whatever your level of grooming experience, you'll find exceptional scissors to suit it across our scissors range at Groomers. Explore our four collections using the links above to shop for your scissor essentials, then browse our scissor care maintenance for our top tips on caring for your scissors.

Related posts:

Essential Scissor Care For Student Groomers

The Best Scissor Care Maintenance For Your Dog Grooming Scissors

Clipper Maintenance For Pro Groomers