Straight Shears
Straight shears ae exactly what the name says. Shears with two straight blades.
The length of the shear is measured in inches. The whole shear is considered the length and is measured from the tip of the blades to the furthest edge of the finger hole.
The proper length of a shear is dictated by the size of your hand and your cutting technique.
Groomers with very small hands may have trouble working with a 10 inch shear because of the length and weight of the shear. The shear may just be too heavy and may cause hand fatigue as well as poor technique.
Whereas a shorter shear for a groomer who has big hands, may feel awkward and the groomer may not be able to get a far enough spread of the shears on a small pair. This can result in cramping of the hand.
Straight shears typically range in size from 4 inches to 10 inches. The length of the blade can impact the type of cut you're able to achieve and the amount of control you have over the shear.
4-inch shears are the shortest straight shears available and are typically used for fine detail work, such as trimming around the eyes, ears, and paws. These shears offer a high level of precision, making them ideal for delicate areas that require a light touch.
5-inch shears are slightly longer than 4-inch shears and are commonly used for precision trimming and finishing work, such as shaping the coat around the head, face, and ears.
These shears are also useful for trimming and shaping beards and mustaches.
6-inch shears are considered the standard size for straight shears and are the most versatile. They can be used for a wide range of grooming tasks, including trimming and shaping the coat, removing bulk, and finishing work. They are also useful for blending different lengths of fur and creating natural-looking transitions.
7-inch shears are longer and provide more cutting power than smaller shears. They are often used for trimming and shaping larger areas of the coat, such as the body and legs. They can also be used for blending and feathering techniques, which involve creating soft, gradual transitions between different lengths of fur.
8-10 inch shears are the longest straight shears and provide the most cutting power with one cut. Used mainly on large dogs, a few cuts will shape a leg with They are also useful for creating longer, sweeping lines when trimming the coat.
A 7-inch shear is a basic shear that any pet groomer will get many years of usage.
Long shears will take less cuts to connect lines and to shape legs, balance the top-line and shape the under-carriage. Shears between 8-10 inches, will shorten scissoring time, decrease hand fatigue and offer a smoother finish.
But, the groomer must choose a shear the appropriate size for their hand to balance the shear and work your thumb will be doing.
Shorter shears can use techniques other than strictly using your thumb cutting action. Shorter shears excel with smaller dogs who have shorter legs and bodies.
Shears that are under 7 inches are typically used for shaping feet and bevels, poms poms, face shaping, ear shaping and trimming, and top knots.
The shorter shears use a more precise technique and although a thumb technique can be used, an open shear technique, where both blades are engaged in the cut is often the popular technique.
Shears of 5.5 inches and shorter are popular in the cat grooming and creative world for shaping faces and creating neat sharp lines in creative carving.
Whatever size fits your hands, style and client size, straight shears are a necessary tool for pet groomers.