Dotanuki Damascus Hair Cutting Shears/Scissors
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Curator’s note — Named for a swordsmith school, the Dotanuki carries Damascus steel into salon work — pattern and purpose in the same blade.
Shear Size Guide
A shear is a lifetime tool. Thirty seconds of measuring saves you ten years of the wrong one.
Measure against your hand
Hold a shear (or a ruler) against your open palm. The blade should roughly match the length of your middle finger, and the whole shear should be about the length of your palm from crease to fingertip. If the blade runs well past your finger, size down; if it disappears against it, size up.
What each length is for
5.0"–5.5" — Precision and detail work: point cutting, texturizing around the face, close control. The choice for smaller hands and exacting layer work.
5.75"–6.0" — The all-rounder. Most working stylists live here: enough blade for full sections, still nimble for detail. If you own one shear, this is the length.
6.5"–7.0" — Scissor-over-comb, barbering, and heavy section work. The longer blade covers a comb in one pass and powers through dense hair — a barber's daily driver.
The 30-second balance test
When your shears arrive, run this test: hold them with only your thumb and ring finger in the rings, open and close them slowly ten times at eye level. The blades should move without your wrist tensing, and the tips shouldn’t dip or wander. That’s balance — it matters more than any spec on the page.
Still unsure?
Order the length that tests best on your hand — every shear ships free with free returns, so if it doesn’t feel right in your hand, send it back and try the next size. And every blade we sell is backed by our lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects.
Routine sharpening & normal wear are part of shear care
Both ways, every order
Usually arrives in 2–5 business days
Dotanuki: 34 Layers of Japanese Damascus
Damascus steel is where metallurgy becomes visible. The Saki Dotanuki is handcrafted from 34 distinct layers of Japanese Damascus stainless steel, folded and forged so the pattern flowing across each blade is unique to that pair. But the layering is not just for show; beneath the pattern is a serious professional cutting shear hardened to 61-62 HRC.
The Working Geometry
- Japanese-style convex edge: The professional's edge, honed for smooth, clean cuts with minimal push through the hair.
- Sword blade: A ridged spine that stiffens the blade and drives cutting power through the full stroke.
- Offset handle: A more natural thumb position that eases wrist strain across long days.
Specifications
- Steel: Japanese Damascus stainless, 34 layers
- Blade: Japanese-style convex, sword profile
- Hardness: 61-62 HRC
- Handle: Offset
- Sizes: 5.5" or 6.0"
- Construction: Handmade
- Warranty: Backed by a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects
Who It Suits
Offered in 5.5" and 6" to fit your hand and technique, the Dotanuki belongs with barbers, stylists, hairdressers, and cosmetologists who want their primary shear to be sharp, durable, and genuinely beautiful. Handmade artistry, built to last a career.
The blade should roughly match your middle finger; the whole shear, your palm. 6.0" is the all-round choice; 6.5"–7.0" for scissor-over-comb and barbering. Shear Size Guide — find your length in 30 seconds.
Free shipping on every order. Free returns — if it doesn’t feel right in your hand, send it back at no charge. Start your return in under a minute from the Start a Return page linked in the menu at the top of every page.
Backed by a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects — if we find a defect in materials or workmanship, we repair or replace it. Routine sharpening, oiling, and tension adjustment are part of normal professional care and keep your edge in top shape.
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Complete the Set
This is a cutting shear — a master pairs it with a thinning shear.
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Lifetime Warranty
Every shear is covered for life against manufacturing defects.
Free Shipping & Returns
Both ways, every order, every day.
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