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	Left Handed Scissors - The right advice
Not all Scissor Reps have expert knowledge on scissors, some sell a wide range of 100's of products. If you are a left handed hairdresser, I'm sure you have heard these ones before. " These scissors are interchangeable from right to left !" or " All the left handed hairdressers I know use right handed scissors! " or maybe " Its left handed if you turn it upside down!" It may well be that these little gems of advice were well meaning, it's just as likely that the Rep who was trying to sell to you just didn't know any better. I must point out at this stage that most Reps that sell hairdressing scissors in Australia read and appreciate my articles, so this one is for the Reps and the hairdressers. True left handed scissors are a mirror image of the right handed scissor. They are not the same, the "blades and handles" are opposite. You can not convert a right handed scissor to a left handed scissor. If you have a right handed scissor and change the adjustment assembly over to the opposite side of the scissor it is still a right handed scissor. If you put the finger rest on the opposite finger hole and flip the scissor over, it will still be right handed scissor! What you will have is a right handed scissor that has been converted to be used in the left hand, BUT THE SCISSOR IS STILL RIGHT HANDED! More on this later... Here are some Frequently Asked Questions and their Answers Are my Scissors Left Handed? If you are left handed it is easy to tell if the scissor you are using is also left handed. The blade with the thumb hole handle should be at the back of the scissor and is called the "moving blade". Look at the two photos. The first photo shows a right handed scissor in the left hand, you will notice that the thumb handle blade is in front. In photo two the thumb handle blade is at the rear, this is a left handed scissor. My scissor is right handed should I buy a pair of left handed scissors? Not necessarily. If you are a junior or have been cutting less than five years it would be advisable to buy a pair of left handers and learn how to use them. On the other hand if you have been using right handed scissors for over ten years and are not experiencing any hand pain (RSI) it may be better for you to buy a Right handed scissor converted for use in the Left hand as previously discussed. The reason I say this is that your hand has adapted to the "crab grip" needed to use right handed scissors and it may be difficult to change at this stage. Best bet is to talk to an expert about a trial. What's the advantage of changing to Left Handed? Many LH hairdressers who use right handed scissors have difficulty with certain techniques. In particular a) cutting close to the skin and around perimeters b) slide cutting and slicing, and c) scissor over comb. This is because their RH scissor must always be used with reverse pressure to cut (crab grip). Unfortunately it is very difficult to maintain reverse pressure on every technique and the scissors tend to pinch or fold hair. If you learn to use Left Handed scissors these techniques will become much easier and your scissors will cut smoother. A left handed scissor will also stay sharper, longer for you because you do not need to use pressure. What is the Crab Grip Look again at photo 1, the RH scissor is being used crab grip. The thumb is inserted through the hole and as the hairdresser cuts its is bent and the scissor is pulled toward the palm. The hairdresser exerts reverse pressure to enable the scissor to cut. Many LH hairdressers experience cramps around the thumb from this and can lead to RSI in people that are prone to it. Photo 2 shows a LH scissor being used normally. Notice the hand is relaxed and the action is natural. I've just bought a left handed scissor and it is folding hair and pinching, What's wrong? You are still using crab grip and reverse pressure! Your hand needs to "re-learn" how to cut with your new scissor. Some hairdressers can start cutting and notice the difference right away. Others need to practice the correct technique to get out of the old crab grip habit. I suggest you carefully study the photos and practice to relax your hand, keep your thumb straight and cut naturally. A thicker inset for the thumb hole is a good idea so that you can't pull with the thumb. Cut slowly at first and check your grip every time your scissor folds hair or pinches. You can not learn to cut correctly if you are still also using your old right handed scissors ( pack them away or better still sell them to a right handed hairdresser, you can't use both). It may take a little time but you'll get there. If you need any other advice feel free use the Sharpline Scissors question page, I'm always happy to help. Happy Cutting! Adrian Schlemmer
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