Straight or Curved Scissors?

What is the difference between Straight & Curved Scissors?

We often get asked when to use each of these blades on our scissors.

Simply put, curved scissors cut curved lines and straight cut straight lines.

There is also a matter of personal preference and results wanted to achieve but these are our recommendations:

The curved blades have the sharpest point facing upwards allowing you to follow the natural contours of the cuticle zone to remove cuticle and hangnails without worrying about damaging the surrounding or the underlying skin. When tailoring forms with the curved blade it allows you to follow the natural contours and shape of the nails free edge which is curved. This saves time versus trying to achieve curves using straight scissors.  The curved blades are ideal for making controlled cuts because they can be closed without the user needing to worry about accidentally cutting surrounding tissue.

Straight scissors are required to achieve a straight line such as when wishing to cut nail art items or relief cuts that are required to be straight to get the perfect form closure. They leave a smoother outline and finish.

 

Why different pairs for different tasks?

Whilst our form tailoring scissors can be used to remove cuticle or hangnails, due to blade size, we recommend our cuticle scissors. However, whichever your preference most importantly it is essential to never use the same scissors for two different tasks. For example never use scissors to cut forms and the same pair to remove cuticle.

Is it just a marketing gimmick or is it really vital?

All paper products contain minerals that are abrasive and will eventually dull even a razor-sharp pair of scissors. Paper (and cardboard) filling and coating contain kaolin clay, titanium oxide, calcium carbonate and talc. These stiffen the paper, fill it out, and adjust how the paper absorbs ink. They can also be used to enhance opacity, whiteness, and pitch.  Kaolin clay and ground calcium carbonate are quite hard and these are what can destroy a set of scissors that are not designed to be used with them.

This means that over time, scissors that are used to cut paper will blunt and need sharpening. You can resharpen your tools with us to help them last longer, depending on use we recommend once a year.

When working on areas as delicate as the cuticle area, using a blunter pair of scissors can make them more prone to causing damage due to additional force required.

Always keep different sets of tools for their designed purpose.

Check out our YouTube for videos on how to best use each tool

 

Scissor Measurements

KB Cuticle Scissors

Blade tip to interlocked leaf handle (full length) - 8.5cm

Pivot point to tip - 1cm

Cutting edge blade - 0.5cm

KB Form Tailoring Scissors®️

Blade tip to interlocked leaf handle (full length) - 12cm

Pivot point to tip - 1.6cm

Cutting edge blade - 1cm