Salon Shear & Knife Sharpening, Done in the Japanese Way
your tools get a traditional Japanese Waterstone polish - full Factory restoration
WHO THE PROS CALL
AUSTIN’S #1 SHEAR EXPERT
SHEARS
We are highly trained the the Japanese method for Salon Shears; one of the best in the country. We do a full-on A+ factory-style restoration that meets manufacturer warranty:
Shear is taken fully apart, new parts as needed, ride-lines flattened & polished by hand on Japanese stones, clamshell re-shaped and honed back to new looking and cutting.
Depending on the quality of your steel, you can expect it to stay sharp for 6-12 months. 6 or more if you do a ton of dry-cutting.
We often spend up to 90 minutes on a scissor, which results in an absolutely silky glide through the hair - and a joy in the hand.
We'll even educate you in special methods for maintaining that sharpness much longer.
All of our work is done on an expensive Japanese factory flat-hone, waterstones, and related equipment. This is the reason we are able to achieve not only that razor-like glide but also bring even your favourite old shear back to life.
Hair professionals get a $900 loaner while we have your shears - and all stylists are welcome anytime to borrow the latest shears for a day, free of charge, just to be able to try out the latest dry cutters & texturizers. Just ask for a test drive!
For reference, most “sharpening” in our industry happens in about 15 minutes, feels ok for about two weeks, and leaves your scissor’s lifetime seriously shortened. This is a bad industry habit from the old days when razor-sharp was not a thing. And as you will see in our reviews, our approach is the way to go - and we love the smiles we get when we bring and old-favorite back to life.
ON JAPANESE WATERSTONES
SUSHI-GRADE SHARP, BY HAND
OUR PROCESS
Shear Emporium does a full Japanese-style waterstone polish for Fine Chef's Knives & all Salon Shears, completely by hand.
Traditionally, the method still uses high-end whetstones, a water bath, and unique techniques - the same method used to polish sushi knives, joinery chisels, and swords for the past thousand years.
This is not a quick, rough sharpening on a gadget, grinding wheel, belt sander, or buffer.
Using the same, your tools will be made truly razor-sharp, typically far sharper than brand new! On stones, in the old-school way. The factory does not have bandwidth for the effort needed to get that sharp.
But we do. Our meticulous process leaves your tools cutting like you’ve never felt them, and those sword-shiny cutting edges will stay sharp for a year or more due to the high level of polish.
Longer if you learn the art of ‘stropping’ on specially-treated leather. We love sharing - so will be happy to show you the way.
Be welcome to borrow a sharp loaner, while yours is on the bench.
Yes, you can shave with it! Salon scissors included.
KNIVES
We repair all damage done by improper sharpening and cheap gadgets.
We customize each knife’s edge geometry for your individualized cooking style, even optimizing select blades for specific right- or left-handed technique.
Chipped edges, broken points, dropped shears, misshapen bolsters: repaired-reground as needed. Any evidence of dullness, damage, and bad sharpening technique…banished.
Not just knives: We also attend to fine garden pruners, straight razors, axes, high-end tailor’s shears, and hand-woodworking tools such as Japanese chisels and plane blades.
Our team repairs damaged handles and even craft custom leather sheaths. We carry a selection of superb leather strops and knife rolls.
And, whether you are a professional- or home-Chef, we will get you sharp, and keep you sharp, for years at a time. Ask us for a demo & lesson on edge-retention!
We offer a full weekend of hands-on, traditional training in Japanese-style waterstone sharpening - and we do this several times a year. It’s just so wonderful to take each student from wherever they are at, beginner or of experience, to a new level of skill and mastery.
Hand-Sharpening + Restoration for your Finest Knives & Shears
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Japanese Salon Shears
factory restoration, ride lines, razor finish, free loaner shear
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Tailor Shears
an entirely new level of smooth sharpness, 10x better than new. kai, shozaburo, gingher
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Chef's Knives
sharper than brand new. tips, chips, bolsters repaired
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Sharpening Training
comprehensive full weekend training in japanese-style sharpening
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Handles~Repairs
as former knifemakers, we do all manner of custom work from handles to sheaths
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Fine Woodworking
chisel & plane blades, woodplane tuning & instruction
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Straight Razors
german, english, & japanese. restoration~honing~strops
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Garden Tools
pruners~loppers. tuned, upgraded, and razor sharp
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Foundation Polish for Sushi Knives
maximum performance for brand new sushi knives
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Handmade Leather Goods
our own line of handmade knife rolls in solid leather
From Our Customers
“I have purchased two pair of Shear Emporium’s Dry-Cutting shears, and I -love them-!! Super sharp and glide through the hair. Roger is so knowledgeable and truly has a passion for his work.
After many failed attempts with other shear sharpeners, our salon finally found our guy! Very happy customer!”
— Denise Peatross, Breeze Salon & Day Spa
“Love the work Roger does with my shears! Sam Villa shears are a special type of shear, and I need a crafted hand to get them just right. They stay so sharp, even after months of use. His sharpening price is bit up there, but it is -so- worth it. After hearing many horror stories from coworkers and friends about stop & shop sharpeners ruining their favorite shears, I’ve only trusted Roger with my shears.”
— Bethany Gatrell, stylist & barber
“I'm a dog groomer from Washington, and I usually get my shears sharpened almost every month by mobile sharpeners. NEVER AGAIN!!! After talking to Roger and hearing just how passionate and knowledgeable he is, I decided to try him out. That was 5 months ago, & my shears are still sharp! My grooms look better, I don't take as long, and I've already saved money since I haven't needed to sharpen them for 5 MONTHS. Roger is awesome, look no further.”
— Kat Rogue, dog groomer
“Bought a pair of shears from Roger, and they are wonderful quality and even better price.
Also had him sharpen a pair of my current shears and he was very knowledgeable and helpful with making them be so sharp. Very impressed!”
— Sierra Emerson, stylist
“Roger has a team that he personally vets. His work is impeccable, and he is a true artist and perfectionist. Shear Emporium sharpened two of my stylist scissors that turned out amazing.
They also sharpen knives and hold sharpening classes which I found informative and fun.”
— Lori Lozano, Proud People Barber Botanica
Roger is such a pro. It’s difficult to find a good shear sharpener, and Roger isn’t just good,…he’s fantastic.
My shears are better than new after his masterful work on them.”