Well, it has been way too long since I posted! I have been fine tuning my website and anyone who has built a website knows what I mean.
While visiting salons in the Portland, Or area this week I encountered a great question from a customer. "I just bought these Japanese shears. Can you tell me if I got a good deal?" First of all, I am not in the practice of dissing other brands of shears. But, moving on. Something I run across a shear labeled "Japanese Steel" or "Japanese Design" or Japanese Whatever. It DOES NOT say Made in Japan or Japan on it. The deception really bugs me! This shear is exactly what it says Japanese Steel. Most likely it is made in Korea, Taiwan or the US. Sometimes they are made in Pakistan...Hopefully not!
Just because it isn't made in Japan doesn't mean it isn't a good shear. If you are shopping for a Japan shear, they are usually a bit more expensive.
So. if you are shopping for shears. Purchase from someone that will backup their product. If you are buying at a show, find out what recourse you have if, when you get back home and find that they don't cut, etc....can you return them? There are reputable shear companies and then there are all the rest. Be Careful!