Why Top Hair Stylists Pay $2000 For Japanese Hair Shears | So Expensive | Insider Business

While standard hair scissors cost less than $10, high-end professional hair shears can cost over $2,000. One of the main reasons is the attention paid to the point where the two blades meet. At Naruto in Japan, 12 skilled artisans spend hours perfecting the blades of scissors that can last decades.
Link to Naruto Scissors Website: narutoscissors-overseas.com/
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Why Top Hair Stylists Pay $2000 For Japanese Hair Shears | So Expensive | Insider Business

[@DeleLang]

There was a shop named 'Sasuke' who specializes on bonsai shears. Never though Naruto and Sasuke's rivalry would come to this.

[@spaceoven8788]

i don’t believe you

[@anr5525]

​@@spaceoven8788i think that video also came from here so just look for it

[@DeleLang]

@@spaceoven8788 search this one: Why Bonsai Scissors Can Cost $26,000 | Still Standing | Insider Business

[@pumpthewater419]

They aren’t rivals

[@MariaMartinez-xm4fl]

😂😂😂

[@13BulliTs]

It is good that this is shown, I bought my first japanese Kasho scissor and my boss paid half of it. $800,- that was 25 years ago and it is still one of the best scissors I ever bought. People thought I was crazy, but it is true, less maintenance and better for your wrists. The quality and sharpness is unparalleled.

[@mchanz3584]

@RepentandbelieveinJesusChrist5dude, it’s just a pair of nice expensive scissors. Calm down.

[@ziolan8970]

​@@mchanz3584 let homie enjoy their little luxuries. They're hurting no one and get to spend all day working with their favorite tool.

[@LordLaavineshNithianandan]

​@@mchanz3584 nope 25 years strong is excellent scissors

[@donnakawana]

So true was given as a gift on my graduation... I was 16.. they thought I was19.. I was honored an at 56 I still have an use them.. I have sent them away to maker for care an maintenance after 20 years had past... Lol!

[@malsawmtluanga7341]

cut your own hair using scissors then only you will understand​@@mchanz3584

[@elluisito000]

By the quality of their work, one can tell they don't cut corners 😊

[@tomtommiest]

If Africans can copy this from the Japanese, they'll transform themselves

[@TheRationalDutch]

Shows nothing but their shear dedication.

[@slowcyclist4324]

Their scissors wins the competitors by more than a hairs breath as well.

[@AhmadIzzJ]

Of course they don't cut corners, they cut hairs.

[@cedricvelarde]

I see that ur puns are sharp

[@xristinarose2409]

So when i was cutting my own hair, i did it with random scissors i found in my parents kitchen. Pretty soon i found out that it didn't a good job at all. My parents also did have a hairdressers set, but those scissors were almost as bad as the kitchen ones. Then i saved up and bought the cheapest ones from a professional shop, those cost me around 30usd and that seemed like an insane amount of money for me for "just" scissors and were more pricey that my parents whole hairdresser set. But the difference was day and night. From that day i knew i would never cut my hair with random household scissors again. About a year later a professional hairdresser stayed about a week at our house and offered everyone free hair appointments to thank us for the stay. So i gave her my 30usd scissors and asked her professional opinion on quality. She said: so glad that i don't have to do it with household scissors 😄👍 but compared to mine, they are beyond bad. I feel the difference immediately and ive never had scissors this bad before. Even for training our school didn't allow this poor quality. That's when i understood. While they are good enough for me, you def get what you pay for

[@nextleveleffort]

Mad respect to the Japanese scissor makers. That's something special.

[@rafflesiadeathcscent3507]

they are indeed special and top of the line quality, but the narration is overly exaggerated, "mathematical precision" no math at all lol

[@cgimovieman]

The man who cut my hair until just recently when he retired, had some of the sane scissors he had been using since the late 80’s or early 90’s. They were expensive, but so we’ll made that they lasted, and he only had to rarely have them sharpened. I love things like that. They’ve gotten harder and harder to find today. I also have been to Japan a few times, and something that a very much admire about most Japanese, is their patience, cleanliness, appreciation of everything, and how they put such attention to detail and pride in everything that they do. That’s another thing that I feel like a lot of people in other places don’t do anymore. If they ever did at all.

[@LIZZIE-lizzie]

@cgimovieman At one time, the artisans of all cultures took great pride in their work. Indias' artisans still takes great pride in their work and creations. Some remote weaving villages take great pride in their work! However, todays' generations (being born 1957, with older parents), do not have the concentration, focus and patience needed. Not all but some. The other day I watched a small doc on a fashion designer who takes interest in French mens' fashions of the 1940s and '50s. All wonderful but for the shoes! His white buck leather Wallabees were "noticably" dirty and scuffed - so much so I thought they were passing over them - until they focused on the shoes. He likes that "look" on his shoes. He looks pristine and well put together until you get to his feet. Now - - does this mean I can wear my old and worn white buck leather loafers as he does or am I old fashioned? That's all it takes for ones' work to be well polished or not. His shoes give him 95, not 100 😂😂😂

[@SkyeAten]

This is how we can fight global waste. Quality products like these.

[@kiyoponnn]

It's not all rainbows and sunshine. Death by overwork exists too and some stupid rules too like unpaid overtime, being forced to accompany your bosses on a midnight pub crawl on a weekday (for this part the youtuber sora the troll explains it best) which ironically has the opposite effect and reduces productivity. Of course this only applies to corporate work and not craftmanship shown in the video.

[@logandunlap9156]

@@kiyoponnnyeah but they got cool shit too shut up doomer

[@MatteV2]

@@LIZZIE-lizzie I wouldn't blame "todays generation" so much as I would blame todays economy and politics. There's just no room in todays culture to let artisans produce in weeks, what machines can do in minutes. We live in an age of economies of scale, where everything has to be quick and easy to make. A damn shame really.

[@JessicaReinke]

My Mizutanis were $1200, I use them all day long and they’re amazing

[@richyox9486]

Mizutani for life 🧡

[@galaneretina9764]

Mizutani is wooden garbage if you ever in your life happen to hold Naruto or Hikari Dragon Cosmos in your hands you will gasp

[@betamax1091]

Amazing product. Japan takes such care in creating so many things. Unreal!

[@psyche141]

Of course it's Japanese. They have a similar obsession with producing all kinds of specialized high-end equipment. Bonsai shears, inksticks / blocks, knives, etc.

[@ruhtam8971]

Cars you forgot cars

[@ohjin]

And it requires a lifetime experience

[@LibsRDumbarses]

Fishing poles even! $1k for a bass rod is not uncommon to the high end buyer...it's nuts, in a good way.

[@ClockworkGFX]

Where do you start getting diminishing returns for scissors, ink, and fishing poles? At a certain point you're just paying the price to pay the price.

[@ahyaan2552]

@@ruhtam8971other than lexus their cars are average. However their engines are mad reliable

[@samithaediriweera1270]

"Quality can not be imitated". Well said Sir

[@juanmanqn]

"quality cannot be imitated" that's all the difference! Amazing

[@tedmarakas2626]

unlike the Chinese philosophy, quantity and knock off is all they do

[@floraluxla]

I love the So Expensive series. If it hasn't yet been made, it would be great to have one on Why Flowers Are So Expensive.

[@mndlessdrwer]

I appreciate his mentality: our quality speaks for itself. If you buy a copy, you will only be disappointed and you'll eventually come back to us for the real thing.

[@sophiaisabelle0227]

Professional hair scissors are crafted to perfection. They must have the perfect shape. Probably explains the price tag.

[@succesthobela7084]

😂😂😂😂 As if other scissors have imperfect shapes

[@Alsry1]

​@@succesthobela7084they do though. Have you tried to cut cloth using a bad pair of scissors

[@DionDPR]

​@@Alsry1ignore cloth, even plastic is hard

[@GameXin]

nah, it's just japanese

[@me1134]

@@Alsry1 a $12 pair of fiskars will do a better job than any of these $3000 pairs lol

[@thomasnew2113]

That’s a very nice holster for her shears and tools. The Japanese as usual are always passionate at what they do.

[@ar_krrish]

When it comes to perfection, there’s only one word. JAPAN 🇯🇵

[@tedmarakas2626]

If a Japanese person wants perfection, he/she won't stop until perfection is achieved. Price and money means nothing to them.

[@gregoryturk1275]

Yes, I have perfected the way to make high end rods of protactinium after 50 years!

[@cathoderay305]

Except when you're talking firearms, than you have to look to companies like Holland and Holland, Bergara, Korth, etc. in England, the United States, and a handful of European countries.

[@flummi6966]

@@cathoderay305 their Type 10 Tank is quite something, firearms no idea,maybe time for H&K to open up a plant there.

[@cathoderay305]

@@flummi6966 Japanese firearms have the problem that seems to plague cultures which are not currently gun obsessed. They were designed by Engineers with little to no input from actual end users. They are working to improve that, but it is a long time coming.

[@rayleighg9235]

I'm always amazed by artisans and their passion for their craft. Yes they are always imitated but you cannot compare the quality and the craftsmanship of the original.

[@fuferito]

All _Naruto Scissors_ employees are instructed, upon hiring, that they can run to their hearts' content, but never, ever with scissors.

[@DominikKristek]

This is how products should be. Expensive, but perfect and last for a long time.

[@GirixK]

There's a reason why they don't really do "So Expensive" for designer clothes, most of it is just overpriced garbage, but a good, high quality suit? or a pair of pants that if treated right can last you decades? yeah that's worth making videos about, extend that to quality tools, and you have this video

[@chaytonhurlow840]

There should be low price alternatives too. But I get what you're saying. Quality over quantity.

[@KamiKaZantA]

Not everything has to be. Cheap and disposable has its place.

[@jasonanno3073]

So I’m very into fashion, not to be confused with luxury clothing (think Gucci t shirts, Armani exchange hoodie, etc), and honestly the quality of some very expensive items I have isn’t amazing. Many of them have ripped easily or faded quickly. I love fashion but it is what it is. There are exceptions for sure but for the most part that is my experience

[@purona2500]

This is how products should be out of reach for 99.99% of people. 200x more expensive than what people can afford

[@niallmartin4098]

Japanese pride in their products is something I respect immensely. If I want to be confident in getting a quality product, and i am willing to pay the extra money, Japan is always a safe bet.

[@Golden0422e]

Japan is the country to take true pride in their work for anything/everything

[@blackmagicbarbering1100]

Ive been a barber for 16 years now and I can say her shear game is black belt level.

[@ChadWilson]

These scissors remind me of Ernest Wright handmade scissors. If you are on the fence about getting these kinds of scissors, don't let the cost scare you off, as they are soooo worth it.

[@cathoderay305]

The best scissors (for cutting fabrics and canvas, not hair) that I've seen were still made in England. Where are the Ernest Wright's made?

[@ChadWilson]

@@cathoderay305, Sheffield

[@puppy6688]

wow, its amazing how the heck they figured out what makes the scissors being sharpen over time. Its mind blowing how they found away to maintain the sharpness of the scissors. 🤯🤯🤯🤯

[@vectrex28]

Back when I lived in Hokkaido, I used to go get my hair cut at a very friendly haidresser's place. We'd always chat and he once told me to guess how much his scissors cost - he was using one of these. As you might guess, I completely missed the mark, hahaha

[@rilke3266]

Japan doing it right as always

[@LIZZIE-lizzie]

I'd love to show this to my guy who's been cutting my hair since the 1990s. In my mind there's no doubt he can cut with shears from the dollar store 😂 What a great gift this would make!

[@nizlor]

It's a thoughtful gesture but I'd steer away from ever buying a craftsman a surprise new tool. Every craftsman or tradesman develop strong preferences towards specific tools that suit their individualistic needs. There may be a tool that is considered 'the best' but doesn't mean the best for everyone.

[@quiet_shy]

An expert in their field can work with anything and make a masterpiece out of it, the question is why would they want to when there are superior tools to enable them to produce something of higher and better quality.

[@LIZZIE-lizzie]

@@quiet_shy That's not even a question - they wouldn't.

[@LIZZIE-lizzie]

@@nizlor Absolutely and the best "gift" is cash.

[@flummi6966]

@@LIZZIE-lizzie Should still be a nice conversation while there.There are good enough tools,and then there is that.

[@liamfoxy]

These guys almost need to start putting a laser etched serial number on their scissors so they can be tracked and registered as authentic. Im sure it would be beneficial to such a high end product to have some way of digitally authentication their products as legit. Could even help with product warrenty, sharpening, and maintenance plans.

[@zac08]

They would rather hand chisel or carve the numbers in... They pride themselves in hand made products, not laser etching with computers.

[@thematias4]

@@zac08 then do that :D he still got a point

[@SkyeAten]

​@@zac08womp womp

[@SkyeAten]

Yeah good idea

[@flummi6966]

I dont think you understand that level of craftmanship. They will very well know, if a scissor that was sent to them is of their production.They will only need to hit the base of it with one wooden hammer once and they will know so many things about that scissor, just from the sound it makes.

[@kuunib7325]

I love this stuff. Just masters making the best tools for other masters of their respective work. I work at a company that makes lasers machines for cutting metals but this is something so simple yet sophisticated compared to all the science and measurements and maths that goes into my work. Really nice to see that some can improve even the seemingly mundane to this outstanding level.

[@gabrielmoro3d]

Such an amazing video. Thanks for making it!

[@vidhoard]

Now this is something I've actually been wondering!!

[@jaymzx0]

My partner is a cosmetologist and cuts hair for a living. She has 'OK' shears in the $500 range, but she has been using them for 12 years and has had to sharpen them about five times. She's not making money during 'downtime' when the shears are being sharpened, so the ability to hold an edge is critical. Hair shears are really an extension of the person's hand, and they must feel like an extension of the hand to work quickly without wrist or hand pain as barbers and cosmetologists are using them for hours per day every day they work. She has always wanted a nice pair of Naruto shears and may consider a pair in a few years as a gift to herself. She's afraid of how long it will take to get used to them since her current shears are as natural to her as having fingers at this point.

[@13gan]

When she orders her's, send that pair of scissors to them along with the order. That way, they know how to design the handle to fit into your friend's scissors handling habit. That way, even if she already got used to her current shears, the new one won't feel alien in her hand.

[@Mr_Smackle]

just buy 2 pairs of the $500 so she has something to use while the others are being shaprpened. problem solved.

[@mepkl]

You definitely have my sub. This content is next level. For me cannafarm ltd was the turning point. Please keep doing what you do and keep being you, love it.

[@gaveintothedarkness]

ANYTHING JAPAN: "It takes years to master putting the scissors in the presentation box"

[@fayaazalibhai4665]

It's abit ridiculous everything of theirs is over the top their fruit and now scissors 😊

[@Chinhnguyen0497]

So what about a $100k/1 jet engine propeller blade? it's just a piece of steel with a curved shape

[@Snugglez187]

I love this kind of craftsmanship. It's so rare to see these days.

[@VicariousReality7]

7:50 This is a valuable opinion from a professional, when ever you need a tool

[@user-cn7ez4dm6e]

They take great pride in whatever they make, from shos, food, maching, ect

[@pimpinassassin323]

Perfection is everything

[@G02372]

Japan is a special place with special people 🇯🇵 Great minds.

[@Zero_8347]

Seeing a polished convex grind like that instantly makes me think of Rockstead Knives

[@flopilop4596]

Honestly 2K for something you will hold 70% of your work time is not that crazy of a price

[@jkid4855]

the artisan spirit is the reason why Japan makes so many of the world's best thing, from beef to scissors.

[@debojyotisarkar72]

There's some different level of craftsmanship when it comes to Japanese people

[@wickandde]

Hi, can you please do one on clothes shears, I'm not a tailor sew as a hobby and getting blunt scissors is the worst. Your channel is the perfect shopping guide honestly. Thank you in advance ❤

[@ladynori]

I love my hitachi, I’m not a professional but it’s the cleanest cut I could ever imagine❤

[@MrAntiKnowledge]

A tool that does it's job well and lasts a long time is always worth paying a little extra.

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

... its* job (it's = it is)

[@zhanderreydeoferio2298]

The thought of a scissors that's perfect sized for your hand and made for you only is cool

[@ambroiserabier4294]

I believe the human attention that is put into also has value in itself. The same way a restaurant kitchen that spend some time perfecting your plate, taste much better than an equivalent restaurant rushing your plate like it was some factory work. Attention is key. I would be tempted to have those scissor just because I admire the attention, the love that is put into it.

[@icreatedanaccountforthis1852]

This makes me want to learn how to cut hair just so I can buy these scissors.

[@SantoshKumar-pz4qu]

Even after 19 Years, the Shintato San says he is not an expert, 5:28 Greatest Respect to him..

[@karsen001]

Respect to Japanese craftsmanship

[@deepakkamath3689]

Anything handmade in Japan is expensive, not a surprise...!!!

[@henrylarson1]

have a friend who is a hairdresser and owns a pair of these. They won them at a competition of some sort. They said the average pair of sheers costs 2-6 hundres usd so this is a big step up haha

[@knightsimmer]

As a hairdresser in training, seeing the craftsmanship helps me to better understand why shears are so expensive. Still stunningly expensive but… I definitely will have to invest in a pair in the future 😅

[@Shack263]

With scissors this expensive, no wonder hairdressers try to get as much use out of them as possible, even when I wanted just a trim

[@Reezy884]

If they last decades without sharpening then I guess it’s worth the price

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

... they're* worth the price.*

[@Nachos237]

I want these and the British scissor guys to meet and compare work

[@Firebeat.]

amazing craft 👍👍👍❤❤❤

[@DirtCheapFU]

I loved the price and value claims because you have no idea. It just sounds like a good thing to know.

[@kundankumar6963]

Japanese products are truly Awesome and World best.

[@mattpearson9905]

Very very impressive!

[@colleenuchiyama4916]

The biggest wow factor for me is knowing they can go for so long without sharpening. Extremely impressive, given that Japanese people(look at my name, people) have some extreme hair types.

[@ray101892]

In germany it's precision by measurements. In japan it's by your instincts because you've been doing it for x years. An ocd person like me resonates well with products made from these countries.

[@arthurtamerango1089]

I'll take measurements anyday. The obsession with "I've been doing it for X amount of years" is the most pretentious and self-aggrandizing shit I've ever seen. It's a way to artificially drive up prices due to to the inefficient man hours needed to produce products. Life isn't a videogame where you unlock special talents and skills at arbitrary years of experience. A "Master" with 40+ years of GOOD experience and something to show for it can train up a novice extremely quickly compared to other craftsman who had no formal teacher. That novice will produce items that took others decades to learn.

[@user-tr7qy1qv7s]

@@arthurtamerango1089 People say things like that until they actually use it. There are reasons why professionals who knows what they are doing choose these product.

[@scbonsaijowo87]

Nice video❤❤❤

[@real_smilegamez]

I swear Business Insider could make even the simplest job seem complicated 🤣

[@EliosMoonElios]

"artisans spend hours perfecting the blades of scissors that can last decades" My father bring scissor he found in the garbage, it was used for a stylist for no one know how many years and we use them for 40 years and counting and those scissors was not $2,000 fancy stuff.

[@dazaspc]

Scissor making used to be a trade unto itself. I was once asked to make a pinking (Zig Zag cut)shear set. I think it took me 50 odd hours to get the blades so they would cut properly . Those need to be twisted, curled and bent to achieve the correct cut contact. easy to do on on point but take that to 30 and if the last one is loose you have to adjust (normally with a stone) the other 29 to achieve 30 being correct.

[@boohere2]

Where does he get the hair from for the wigs? I never knew in general that hair scissors were so expensive

[@Novilicious]

I cannot believe this is done entirely by hand. If this was America, they would’ve had this down to an algorithm optimizing the pitch angle of the scissors. God bless artisans like these. 😊

[@zhanderreydeoferio2298]

I would like to have a job like this, slow but perfect, high demand and high price.

[@Bob_Adkins]

I love the craftsmanship and pride that go into such exquisite tool, but can't help thinking there' may be a little sickness involved.

[@MariaMartinez-xm4fl]

I want tailor/seamtress scissors!

[@accountid9681]

it's nice to see an artisan craft which has a growing demand. many handmade, precision goods like this are losing their audience, or just becoming irrelevant in the modern day.

[@frogtoast7809]

From a marketing and engagement standpoint, good job for changing the title! I've seen this video come across my feed a number of times, but it failed to interest me until the title was altered. Good choice :)

[@chancerabon5426]

"Why Japanese artisans spend 7 years to make one piece of paper...and the price will surprise you"

[@icecreamdee]

As a hairdresser and has friends who make scissors. The women in the video is getting rip off a good cobalt scissor who cost anything from £250-£500. Not £2000-£3000. I get my scissors from Dowa international here in the UK and they have a factory in Japan

[@babaorhum6901]

Interesting.

[@jacoblahr]

I. Had. No. Idea! Much respect for the Japanese un matched attention to detail and passion for perfection in everything they do. The best craftsmen and artist on this earth in my opinion. 🇯🇵👍

[@DecrepitBiden]

Wait till you find out the price of 1 ink stick for calligraphy in Japan, vs $1 pen in the USA.

[@DanielStern-ct7mq]

I know nothing of Japan, hairstyling, or scissors, but that was worth the 9 minutes.

[@hjkjccdggjhvb]

hands down japan has some of the best tools, cars and technology ..

[@Headloser]

I wonder when the Light Sabre version of the Hair Shears will be coming soon?

[@pizzadood21]

5:07 well, i certainly didn't expect this kinda voice outta him 😩

[@andrewgramlich9124]

Seeing these business insiders make me want material things in my life. I don't want absurd money i want absurd craftsmanship 🤭

[@Killerean]

I'd expect Naruto scissors to have nine blades. 😁

[@whisperinghaircutsasmr]

those are some nice looking shears! maby one day! ☺

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

Why? Are you a professional hairdresser? Otherwise you'd have no use for these.

[@whisperinghaircutsasmr]

@@einundsiebenziger5488 I actually am 😉

[@abdurrahman6469]

when they say (it,s rely sollely on experience) i just think, this guy is legend

[@rangerfurby]

Nearly had a panic attack when I heard that name of the brand

[@hobear637]

These scissors have an insane amount of chakra stored inside them

[@TheEpicPwnSauce]

how would you sharpen something like this?

[@bingbangbongmukbang3015]

I have never heard of this brand. I am always looking for the best scissors

[@bloom.11.25]

I wonder if Insider ever buys the things they make documentaries about, since they often show crafts that are dying because there’s not a big market for them anymore. Like that they help preserve it with not just showing everything about the product but also with buying it.

[@edgarasf123]

It makes no sense for them to purchase the items if they have no use for them. But they do provide significant help to these small companies by exposing their products to millions of people. It would bankrupt the companies if they tried to reach same level exposure by themselves through marketing. I bet handful of people have bought the shears after watching the video.

[@dont-want-no-wrench]

my barber, who is an old school guy, paid what seemed to me an enormous amount for a pair of japanese shears, and swears by them.

[@user-uc3um5nw2p]

Cool video! Id like to add that there are other investment options in businesses like cannafarm ltd as well.

[@absoleet]

The Jaguar scissor company has its youtube video showing how its scissors are made. The difference btwn Jaguar/Naruto seems to be more automation/expensive machinery used by Jaguar but Jaguar also makes more affordable product lines which don't need as many skilled workers.

[@ameunier41]

That's one item I see on this show rhat i would be interested in buying if i had the need. Maybe if they did one about kitchen knives...

[@topspin1715]

Stylist: I cannot afford more than one pair of Naruto shears/scissors Customer support: *Kage Bunshin No Jutsu*

[@MrBalrogos]

3:0 you know almost every scisors like this have twist and one point of contact right in poland u can buy cheap cast iron steel scisors for like 2.5$(10pln) insetad of screw it have bras pin hammered so it never losen up.

[@ricoh881227]

I was about to mentioned "why did yall do the same topic" than realized its the japan product not the british one that also goes very high price..

[@diGritz1]

Naruto? Didn't know the hidden leaf village was also known for their scissors. "0_o"

[@annon3816]

Japan, the country that turns everything into art