The Difference Between Thinning, Texturing and Slicing Scissors

Three Types of Scissor, Three Different Results

Walk into any professional scissor range and you'll find cutting scissors, thinning scissors, texturing scissors, and slicing scissors. The differences between them aren't always obvious — but understanding what each one does will help you build a kit that covers every technique.

Thinning Scissors

Thinning scissors have one straight blade and one toothed blade. They remove a percentage of hair with each cut, reducing bulk without changing the overall shape of the haircut.

What they're used for:

• Removing bulk from thick hair
• Softening blunt lines
• Blending layers
• General weight reduction

Key spec to look for: Tooth count and reduction rate. A 30-tooth scissor with a 20% reduction rate is the most versatile choice for general thinning work.

In the Quartered Steels range: The Vespucci, 303 Thinner, and Foundation Thinner are all thinning scissors.

Texturing Scissors

Texturing scissors are similar to thinners but typically have fewer, wider-spaced teeth. They remove more hair per cut and create a chunkier, more defined texture rather than a smooth blend.

What they're used for:

• Creating movement and separation in the hair
• Point cutting effects
• Adding texture to fringes and ends
• Razor-style effects without a razor

Key difference from thinning scissors: Texturing scissors create visible texture and separation. Thinning scissors blend and reduce bulk more invisibly.

In the Quartered Steels range: The Vespucci Flip and Cabot reverse thinners are ideal for texturing techniques.

Slicing Scissors

Slicing scissors are cutting scissors used with a specific technique — sliding the open blade along the hair shaft to remove length and create soft, feathered ends. They require a very sharp, smooth convex edge blade.

What they're used for:

• Slide cutting for soft, graduated ends
• Creating movement in longer hair
• Feathering and layering techniques

Some scissors are specifically designed for slicing, with a blade geometry optimised for the sliding motion. The Vasco is Quartered Steels' dedicated slicing scissor — a 6-inch super cobalt steel blade with a dual-function design for both slicing and standard cutting.

Do You Need All Three?

Most professionals carry at minimum a cutting scissor and a thinning scissor. Adding a texturing or slicing scissor expands your technique range significantly — especially if you work across a wide variety of hair types and styles.

If you're building your kit, start with a cutting and thinning pair, then add specialist scissors as your technique demands. Browse the full range at X Series, Master Series, and Foundation Series.