How to Tell If Hair Scissors Are Left-Handed: Lefty VS. Flipped Shears

Hairdressing scissors are not created equally. There is a big difference between left-handed scissors and right-handed scissors.

If you are a lefty, it's important to use hair scissors that have been specifically designed for left-handed individuals. But how can you tell if your hair scissors are left-handed?

It's not always easy to determine this on your own, but don't worry! We will show you how in this article.

Read other similar articles on hair scissors here:

• The Best Left Handed Hairdressing Scissors
• The Different Types of Steel & Materials Used For Lefty Shears
• The Different Types of Hair Cutting Shears
• The Best Scissor Blades For Haircutting

How To Tell If Your Scissors Are Left-Handed?

The easiest way to determine if your hair scissors are left-handed is by looking at the thumb blade.

If the thumb blade is the back-most blade when you open and close the shears, then they are a true lefty shear. However, if the thumb blade is the front-most blade on the scissors, they are a flipped, right-handed shear.

The steps for how do you tell if hair scissors are left-handed:

1. Pick up the shears in a normal cutting position.
2. Open and close the hair scissors slowly while watching the blade controlled by your thumb.
3. If the blade controlled by your thumb is facing the back, as in facing your chest and not the client, you are holding a true left-handed ergonomic shear.
4. However, if the blade controlled by your thumb is facing the front, then you may have a flipped right-handed hair shear.

It's important to note that not all left-handed scissors are created equal, and some left-handed scissors are actually flipped right-handed shears.

How To Tell If Your Scissors Are Flipped Right-Handed Shears?

Left-handed scissors are ergonomically designed to eliminate stress and pain in your neck, shoulder, wrist, and hand. But with this ergonomic design comes a higher price for manufacturing.

Often left-handed hair stylists end up buying flipped right-handed shears. The manufacturer will re-use right-handed scissor blades and simply flip them around to appear as though they fit left handed hairdressers.

The downside to these fake left handed scissors is that you no longer get all the ergonomic benefits that the best left handed scissors would give you.

Common tell-tale signs that your left handed pair of scissors is a pair of flipped right-handed shears:

• Your middle finger feels awkward in the scissor grip.
• You feel pain or fatigue in your shoulder or neck while cutting your client's hair.
• You notice the cutting position forces you to raise your left elbow while cutting.
• You feel tightness or pain in your left hand after cutting hair.

There are various scissor handle designs, such as the opposing classic scissor handles, that can often cause some pain, but proper left-handed scissors will give you a more natural haircutting experience.

Summary: How To Tell If Your Left Handed Scissors Are Made For You!

Hair shears ought to be able to feel like an extension to your hands.

Therefore, they must be ergonomically appropriate so that you can use them comfortably with no pain or strain.

True left-handed scissors are specifically designed to cut left-handedly, ensuring that your body is naturally positioned when cutting with these shears.

If you flip other shears, it can compromise your posture and cause problems with your health and performance.

The left blade on the scissor allows you to cut hair as a left handed hairstylist effectively.

The ergonomically designed lefty handle on your hair shears is designed to naturally fit in your hand, reduce the chance of raising your elbow, and cause pain in your neck or shoulder.

When looking for a new pair of hair scissors, be sure to check if they are labeled as "left-handed" shears. If not, ask your stylist friends where they buy their left-handed scissors and whether the brand is reputable.

Remember that not all left-handed scissors are created equal! Some true lefty shears may be mistakenly labeled as "flipped right-handed shears," so it is important to do your research before purchasing a new pair.

If you are unsure whether the scissors you are using are left-handed or not, contact us, and we'll make sure you get the best left handed hair scissors available online.