1.  HOW OFTEN SHOULD I SHARPEN MY HAIR CUTTING SHEARS?  Generally we recommend serviceing a  "pair of shears"  about every 3-4 months, or about 600-700  cuts for a quality pair of shears.  Low quality scissors will require more frequent sharpening costing you money.  If you use your hair scissors  until they will not cut,  your scissor sharpener is forced to take off more metal, thus decreasing the life of your expensive investment.  Also, keep in mind that using dull tools puts tremendous stress on your hand, takes more time (money?) for the cut,  as well as contributing to spit ends.  You owe to yourself and your clients to use top of the line instruments and keep them like razors.  Please make the investment.  It's a win-win combination!  And, while I'm at it, I am absolutely amazed by the very high percentage of people that only have 1 (one) pair of shears.  Shame, shame, shame!  You need a minimum of one back-up.

2.  WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SHEARS AND SCISSORS?       In recent times,  as far as hair cutting is concerned,  the two terms have basically become synonomous.  Xzacta Shears uses them interchangably.  Sometime ago,  Shears denoted a long scissor, usually 8 inches or longer.  Today, the term Shears has become fashionable to denote any hair cutting scissors.  So, it's really a matter of what you like.  So, call 'em what you want...just don't call 'em late to the scissor sharpener.

3.  WHAT IS "ROCKWELL"?    Rockwell Hardness Test is a test to determine  the hardness of a material, and in our case the hardness of the metal of your hair scissors.   We consider  58-60 to be ideal.  Unfortunately, when you buy  a pair of scissors, you at the mercy of the honesty of the scissor salesperson or company.  Many will not know or just tell you whatever comes to mind to help close the sale.  Having your scissors tested cost money, can ruin them, or at least put a dent in the blade as that is where the test should be performed.  So, you have to trust someone.  Having the rockwell hardness "in writing" may help with your cause.  Please note that Xacta post the rockwell in many places on our web site.   We do not sell scissors with a rockwell of less than 58.  Below 58, and you are going to be sharpening much more frequently, again costing you money.  Above 60, and the metal gets harder and harder increasing brittleness.  This means that they could chip severly if dropped and possibly  even beyond repair.  Quite a few companies advertise a rockwell of 60-61.  In many cases the test was done prior to finishing the scissors.  Finishing the scissor or blank involves removing the concentration of carbon on the outside of the blank, thus reducing the rockwell.  Hope we didn't get to technical.  Our rockwell test, as well as metal analysis is done on finished scissors.  Although expensive, Xzacta Shears does test on new shipments to insure that you are getting what we say.  I'm not saying that above sixty is bad.  I saying that we find 58-60 a good middle ground. Hope this clears things up for you.

4.  Why are Xzacta Shears scissors so inexpensive if they are of such great quality?       ...very good question.   At present time, Xzacta imports   in quanity to obtain a very good price, and for a little while longer we will have no distributors.  Because we are  the importer, with no distributors or sales people at present time. there is only one level of mark-up, not anywhere from 2 to 5 with many other companies. This is great news for you.  Many of the sales prices on our "scissors hair" that we offer are  below what distributors will be paying.  At that time, we will not be able to offer these incredible prices in fairness to distributors.  We will always have very affordable prices.  Also, at times we need to turn inventory in order to allow purchase of additional  styles and models.   BELIEVE ME......NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY!!!!

5.  HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM BUYING  HIGH QUALITY?       ....another very good question, and a very difficult one to answer.... so here goes.       It is the Xzacta's  policy not to mention other company names on this site unless it is  positive.  Unless, I know quality of  particular name brands,  I cannot determine metal quality by looking at the scissors.  I can tell immediately once beginning scissors sharpening, but that doesn't do you any good.  Ask the sales person for rockwell in writing and see what they say?  Ask what kind of metal they are made from?  Ask if they were cast or forged.  Go on-line and try to get a little education.  And of course, if you know a metal expert, that would be great.  Also, you might consider buying from a local sales person.  They are much more likely to stand by what they sell.  If buying at a trade show,  stick to known companies.  There is alot of, excuse me, junk sold there.  Be  careful if the shear just  says "Japan".   on it.  All that means is that something on the scissor was made in Japan,  perhaps a little nylon washer, or screw or something.  If you want Japanese,  It should say "made in Japan".  Many of the Japanese scissors have come down in quality in recent years, and I'm talking about some of the major well known brands.  Xzacta Shears will blow some Japanese scissors that cost over a thousand dollars out of the water.  Look for craftsmanship.....smoothness, tensioning, are the inside of blades hollow ground (concave) all the way to the tip,  and very important, check the "ride line"  (this should be a thin, even, shiny, smooth line on the inside edge of the blade.  It should be thin (there are some very rare exceptions)  and very even.   If the ride line is wavy or uneven, it is not correctable and will only get worse with future scissor sharpening.  The ride line on the shears is where the two blades come together when hair cutting and I cannot stress enough how important this is.  It is the first thing I examine when picking up a pair of "hair cutting shears".  Also be wary if the ride line is very thick.  A thick ride line can indicate that there is actually an angle on the inside of the blades (not visible even with a magnifier).  What this means is that the two blades do not engage each other on the edge, and will usually "crunch" when hair cutting even though the blades may be razor sharp.  And, the only way to correct this is removing metal to thin the ride line.  This will decrease the life of your shears by two or three sharpenings.  Bottom line.....look for a thin even ride line when buying a pair of scissors.  It is very important to proper hair cutting.  I spend almost as much time honing and polishing the ride line as I do on the outside.  This is just another area where Xzacta Scissors Sharpening  leaves competitors and even manufacturers in the dust (pun intended).  Many, many only sharpen  on the outside of the blade.  They only did half the job...shame on them!!!   Also, the way we  polish the ride line is very unique to the scissor sharpening industry.  It is truly what may appear to be minor things to some that make a huge difference.   Happy Shopping!

6.   WHAT ARE DAMASCUS HAIR CUTTING SHEARS?      Damascus steel is made my combining layers of hard and soft metal.  Historically, it was used to make swords for battle.  The hard metal was to hold a sharp edge, and the softer metal was to keep the sword from breaking which was a very desirable characteristic when engaged in life or death battle.  Now, Damascus steel is being used to make hair cutting scissors even though hair stylist are not in hand to hand combat, although at times we feel like we are with a few of our clients.  Real high quality Damascus scissors will be very smooth cutting as they can be sharpened at less of an angle that normal shears and still hold the edge.  And, they are expensive.  They are usually very pretty.  But, let the buyer beware, as it is difficult to tell if you are getting the real deal.  Some shears sold as Dasmascus are simply etched out to look like the usually wavy lines that you will see on real damascus steel.  And they will still carry the high price.  If you are one of those fortunate stylist that gets $400/cut, then what the heck...go for it.  But, be careful, and get someone who knows something about metal to examine the scissors.  Most people I know that have money have it because they are careful.  For more technical information, search "damascus steel".  Searching "damascus scissors" wil lead you mainly to those who are selling them.  Do yourself a favor and get some education before jumping in, and remember....you are not going into battle..I hope! 

7.  DO I HAVE TO OIL MY TITANIUMS?  MY FRIEND SAID THAT I DIDN'T NEED TO OIL.         You most difinitely need to clean as well as lubricate or oil your titanium scissors!   Let me explain.  There is no titanium coating on the inside of the pivot area or on the edge of the blades and ride lines of the titanium hair cutting shears.  While it is highly unlikely that the titanium coating would rust, the exposed stainless steel can and will oxidize or rust if not protected with lubrication or oil.  Please, clean, and Oil, baby Oil!

GOT A QUESTION?   Email us at    SALES@XZACTASHEARS.COM