How to Become a Master Scissor Sharpener

Are you a shear sharpener looking for credibility or a hairdresser in search of a sideline? There is an organization called the National Shear Sharpeners Guild that certifies and classifies sharpeners who specialize in servicing the high-end tools of the beauty trade.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Purchase the specialized sharpening equipment used for high-quality styling shears, and be trained on its use. There are about a half dozen sites on the Internet that offer both the equipment and training in the United States. One easy way to find them is by searching for “national shear sharpeners guild.” Guild members’ sites are listed. If you purchase your equipment from one of these makers, you must take their training course. It’s a matter of liability, as well as competence.
2. Find out when the next meeting of the National Shear Sharpeners Guild is scheduled to take place. It is held once a year, generally in Las Vegas, Nevada. See "Resources" below for the association’s website, which includes contact information, as well as this year’s seminar and certification schedule.
3. Take the NSSG two-day training seminar if you want to learn more about shear design and manufacturing, sharpening mechanics, ride, hone and edging.
4. Take the certification test or competition at the end of the seminar. You will be given two extremely damaged scissors to restore to working order and appearance in 90 minutes or less. A recent test included one convex or Japanese style and one German beveled corrugated shear. Judges award participants Guild membership or the coveted higher designation of “Guild Master Sharpener.”

Tips & Warnings

• You can pay between $3,000 and $20,000 for a sharpening machine and training. Most range between $3,000 and $5,000.
• High-quality cosmetology shears cost between $200 and $500. A good sharpener will generally charge $20 to $35, depending on the geographical area and his level of experience, to sharpen a pair.
• Most shear and scissor sharpeners do not pursue certification. In the past, the job has simply involved driving locally from shop to shop sharpening the scissors of any cosmetologist who needed the service. However, as the Internet has become an additional marketing strategy for the profession, some have wanted some form of credible certification to include in their materials, and the NSSG has broadened its appeal. It is still a small organization.
• If a sharpener brags about membership in the ISSA or International Scissor Sharpeners Association, it means nothing. It’s the brainchild of one scissor company who for $15 will email you a PDF from which to print your own ISSA certificate, and that’s the whole membership deal.