Thinning shears

A thinning shear is usually the second pro shear you buy. Its teeth catch only part of the hair each time it closes, so you can blend, soften a weight line or take bulk out of thick hair without losing length. As a rough rule, more teeth that sit closer together take out less hair at a time, and fewer, wider teeth take out more; makers often call the wider kind a texturizer. If you're still learning, the finer kind is more forgiving. It helps if your thinner feels like your cutter in the hand, so look for the same handle style and a length close to it. Each card shows the handle, the lengths and the hand, and every product page lists the tooth count the maker states. Check the cutting hand before you buy, and read the first pro shear guide if you want the basics first.

New to pro shears? Read the first pro shear guide

Thinning shears, explained