When you make a significant career shift, many things change. Your source of income and how you spend your day will look different, and you will also need new tools and skills. If you have recently become a hairdresser, you will need specific supplies like hairdressing shears.
Some shears are better than others and safer to use because of their handles. Keep reading to learn about the best handle designs for your hairdressing shears so you can find an effective and comfortable pair.
Offset Handles
Offset handles are an improvement from the classic shear design that left hairdressers with carpal tunnel and repetitive strain injury. The bend that gives this handle its name means you do not have to position your wrist or arm at uncomfortable angles to get the right cut. It is also comfortable to hold with your ring finger and thumb through the finger holes, which is how most people learn to hold shears in hairdressing school. If you are just starting your hairdressing career and want to use an easy, safe pair of hair shears, choose ones with offset handles.
Swivel Thumb Handle
If you want to be able to move your thumb and wrist at any angle to achieve the perfect cut without causing wrist pain, then you need shears with a swivel thumb handle. Since this handle is made for complete circular rotation, you can cut however you need to without straining your fingers or wrist. You can even leave your palm in a more open, relaxed position while opening and closing the shears. Holding the shears like this is one way to prevent carpal tunnel and repetitive strain injury.
The only downside to swivel thumb handles is that they can feel unstable to use. There is an adjustment period, but once you get the hang of them, you will love using them.
Crane Handle
The crane handle balances the benefits of the offset and swivel thumb handles. While it does not offer quite as much freedom as the swivel thumb, this design still allows you to drop your elbow and wrist out of uncomfortable angles. New hairdressers will enjoy this handle because it prevents them from forming bad cutting habits that will create pain over time. Experienced hairdressers enjoy this handle because it helps them learn how to correct their posture and angles after experiencing pain on the job. Crane handles are found on many ergonomic shears and can help you maintain wrist and hand health in your new career.
You can find hairdressing shears with various handle designs that help you cut hair well and protect your body. The ones we have listed above are some of the best designs because they reduce the risk of stress on your joints. Experiment and practice with various hair shears until you find the handle that works best for you.
