Kissaki
Kissaki is a US-based shear company founded in 2001 in Tennessee, using Japanese SUS 440C stainless steel rated at HRC 60–61.
USA
Value
Est. 2001
SUS440CVG-1VG-10ATS-314
The bottom line
Kissaki is a professional hair-scissor brand from USA, founded in 2001, building SUS440C, VG-1, VG-10, ATS-314 shears in the value range.
Compare Kissaki with another brand- Origin
- USA
- Founded
- 2001
- Headquarters
- Kissaki Inc. P.O. Box 1511 Crossville, TN 38558 USA
- Steel grades
- SUS440C, VG-1, VG-10, ATS-314
- Price tier
- Product range
- Cutting Scissors, Thinning Scissors, Left-Handed Scissors
- Official site
- kissakishears.com
- Last reviewed
- June 2026
Where to buy Kissaki
Kissaki is a US shear company, run by Kissaki Inc. out of Crossville, Tennessee since 2001. The name is a sword term, and the brand leans on Japanese steel while keeping its operation and pricing firmly American. It is one of the better-value entries among the US brands here, with most shears in the roughly $100 to $200 band, which is genuinely affordable for a stylist assembling a first professional kit.
Steel and range
Kissaki draws on a few Japanese steels across the line: SUS440C, VG-1, VG-10, and ATS-314. That spans a real range, from the dependable 440C workhorse up to the harder VG-10 and ATS-314 grades that hold an edge longer. The brand quotes its 440C blades at HRC 60–61, a sensible, believable hardness for that steel; firm enough to take a fine edge without tipping into the brittleness that very high numbers can bring.
The catalogue covers cutting and thinning shears plus true left-handed models, so left-handed stylists are not stuck adapting a right-handed pair. The thinning side is well spread: cut-and-thinning patterns at 26 to 40 teeth (20-35% removal) for blending, and wider 11-tooth chunkers (40-50%) for taking out real weight. The cutting specialties stay practical rather than gimmicky, covering blunt cutting, razor cutting, and volume and texture control.
Buying
Kissaki sells direct through its own shop at kissakishears.com, and has sold to stylists in the US and internationally for over two decades.
Sources
- Kissaki brand profile and manufacturer statements (kissakishears.com)
Kissaki in the catalogue
A snapshot of Kissaki models stocked by authorised retailers. Finishes, lengths and steel vary by series — confirm the exact specification before buying.
Kissaki FAQ
Is Kissaki a Japanese or American brand?
Kissaki is a USA-based brand, founded in 2001 and run by Kissaki Inc. out of Crossville, Tennessee.
What kind of scissors does Kissaki make?
The range covers cutting scissors and thinning shears, with left-handed models available for stylists who need them. Thinners run from finer cut-and-thinning patterns up to wider chunking blades.
What steel does Kissaki use?
How much do Kissaki scissors cost?
Most Kissaki shears sit in the entry-level band, roughly $100 to $200, which suits stylists building a first professional kit.
What is Kissaki known for?
Kissaki focuses on everyday working tools for blunt cutting, razor cutting, and volume or texture control rather than one signature style.
Does Kissaki make left-handed scissors?
Yes. Left-handed scissors are part of the Kissaki line, so left-handed stylists are not limited to converted right-handed pairs.
Sources: official Kissaki website and authorised retailer listings. Last reviewed June 2026.