Kikui菊井シザース
Kikui is a Japanese scissors manufacturer founded in 1953 in Wakayama, known for durable, long-lasting professional styling shears.
Japan
Premium
Est. 1953
Cobalt AlloyStainless Steel
The bottom line
Kikui is a professional hair-scissor brand from Japan, founded in 1953, building Cobalt Alloy, Stainless Steel shears in the premium range.
Compare Kikui with another brand- Origin
- Japan
- Founded
- 1953
- Headquarters
- 2-2-31 Kozaika, Wakayama Japan
- Steel grades
- Cobalt Alloy, Stainless Steel
- Price tier
- Product range
- Cutting Scissors, Thinning Scissors
- Official site
- scissors.co.jpen
- Known stockists in
- Canada
- Last reviewed
- June 2026
Where to buy Kikui
Kikui has a real claim to a footnote in scissor history: in 1973 the company introduced cobalt-alloy styling scissors, cited as the world’s first cobalt shears. That matters because high-cobalt blades changed what a professional pair could do, holding a finer edge longer and resisting rust without the brittleness of harder carbon steels. The brand has been at this a long time, founded in 1953 by Kiyoji Kikui and still based in Wakayama, trading as Kikui Scissors Co., Ltd.
Steel and range
The flagship line is built from a cobalt alloy running roughly 70 percent cobalt, which is genuinely high and gives blades that are non-magnetic and very rust-resistant. Alongside that, Kikui makes a forged stainless range for buyers who want the in-house build at a lower entry point. The catalogue covers cutting and thinning shears, with the technique focus on slide cutting and two thinning rates, 20-25% and 30-35%.
Kikui’s stated philosophy is refreshingly plain: a styling scissor is a tool first, and it should last and feel easy in the hand. The shears are hand-finished in Japan, and pricing sits in the premium band, roughly $400 to $800, reflecting the cobalt base and the finishing work.
Buying
Distribution is unusually broad for a Japanese maker, which makes Kikui easy to find on this side of the Pacific. Retailers include SalonCentric, LA Shear, Scissor Dude, Shear Integrity, Begley Schmit, and Takano in Canada, alongside the brand’s own site at scissors.co.jp and shops in Japan. See other Japanese brands for comparison.
Sources
- Kikui brand profile and manufacturer statements (scissors.co.jp)
Kikui in the catalogue
A snapshot of Kikui models stocked by authorised retailers. Finishes, lengths and steel vary by series — confirm the exact specification before buying.
Kikui FAQ
Is Kikui a Japanese scissor brand?
Yes. Kikui is a Japanese maker founded in 1953 by Kiyoji Kikui, with its base in Wakayama. Trading as Kikui Scissors Co., Ltd., it hand-finishes its shears in Japan.
What is Kikui best known for?
Kikui developed cobalt-alloy styling scissors back in 1973, cited as the world’s first cobalt scissors. Today the catalogue spans cutting and thinning shears, with a focus on slide cutting and two thinning rates of 20-25% and 30-35%.
What steel do Kikui scissors use?
Kikui’s flagship line is built from a Cobalt Alloy with roughly 70% cobalt, and the brand also makes a forged stainless steel range. The high-cobalt blades are non-magnetic and highly rust-resistant.
How much do Kikui scissors cost?
Kikui sits in the premium band, roughly $400 to $800. That reflects the cobalt-base material and the in-house, hand-finished build.
Where can I buy Kikui scissors?
Kikui sells through its own site at scissors.co.jp and through professional retailers across North America and Japan, including SalonCentric, LA Shear, Scissor Dude, and Takano in Canada.
Sources: official Kikui website and authorised retailer listings. Last reviewed June 2026.