Kyoto
Kyoto is an economy-priced professional shear brand sold through US and UK retailers, offering cutting and thinning scissors from $195.
Japan
Value
440C
The bottom line
Kyoto is a professional hair-scissor brand from Japan, building 440C shears in the value range.
Compare Kyoto with another brand- Origin
- Japan
- Steel grades
- 440C
- Price tier
- Known stockists in
- United Kingdom
- Last reviewed
- June 2026
Where to buy Kyoto
First, a name to clear up: this Kyoto is owned by Dowa International and built as an economy line for the salon trade. It is not Kyoto Hasami Shokunin, the one-craftsman maker in Kyoto Prefecture. They share a city’s name and nothing else.
The series
The lineup is organised into coded series rather than poetic model names. The GJ, GM, GV, and GT families cover standard cutting shears from 5.0 to 8.0 inches, with the GV line adding single and double swivel handles for stylists who want to keep the wrist neutral through a long day. Thinners and a left-handed GJ round things out. Blades on the US-market GJ, GT, and GV series are forged from 440C stainless, twice tempered, and given a hand-honed convex edge, which is more finishing than the price tag usually buys.
Who it suits
Retailers file Kyoto under economy pricing, and that is the honest pitch. Most models land between 195 and 250 dollars in the US, and roughly 60 to 130 pounds in the UK. At that level the brand makes sense for cosmetology students, apprentices, and working stylists who want a dependable second pair without putting a premium shear through the rough days. It will not pretend to be a hand-forged flagship, and it does not need to.
You can find Kyoto on both sides of the Atlantic, through Shear Integrity, Scissor Dude, Tricut, and Dynamic Sharpening in the US, and through Dowa International and Direct Hairdressing Scissors in the UK. For more makers, see our Japan hub.
Kyoto in the catalogue
A snapshot of Kyoto models stocked by authorised retailers. Finishes, lengths and steel vary by series — confirm the exact specification before buying.
Kyoto FAQ
Is Kyoto a Japanese scissor brand?
Yes. Kyoto is a Japan-based shear brand owned by Dowa International Co., Ltd., which positions the line around traditional Japanese craftsmanship.
What steel do Kyoto scissors use?
Kyoto’s US-market GJ, GT, and GV series are forged from 440C stainless steel, twice tempered with a hand-honed convex edge.
How much do Kyoto scissors cost?
Kyoto sits in the entry-level band, roughly $100 to $200, which keeps it within reach for students, apprentices, and stylists wanting a dependable second pair.
Who are Kyoto scissors a good fit for?
They suit cosmetology students, apprentices, and working stylists who want a reliable economy-priced shear, with cutting, thinning, and swivel-handle options to choose from.
Are left-handed Kyoto scissors available?
Yes. The GJ cutting series is offered in a left-handed version alongside the right-handed model.
Where can I buy Kyoto scissors?
Kyoto is stocked by specialist shear retailers in the US and UK, including Shear Integrity, Scissor Dude, Tricut, and Dynamic Sharpening, as well as Dowa International directly.