2nd Jul 2026
Notching Shears 101: Texture and Blending Made Simple
Shear Fanatic — Shear Styles
What Are Notching Shears? A Stylist's Guide to Texture, Movement and Blending
Notching shears, sometimes called chunkers, are built to remove larger sections of hair in one pass and leave texture that actually shows.
Instead of the fine, closely spaced teeth on a standard thinning shear, notching shears have wider, more spaced-out teeth. That wider gap is what creates the notch, a deeper cut that adds visible texture and movement instead of just softening bulk. If a regular thinning shear is for quiet, seamless blending, a notching shear is for stylists who want the texture to show: choppy layers, piecey fringe, or a lived-in finish.
What Notching Shears Do Well
| Removes Bulk Fast Wider teeth grab more hair per pass, so you can thin out dense sections in fewer strokes than a fine thinning shear would take. | Creates Visible Texture The deeper notch leaves intentional gaps in the cut, giving you that piecey, textured look without reaching for a razor. |
| Speeds Up Blending Great for breaking up harsh lines quickly, especially on thick or coarse hair that resists a softer touch. | Works Across Hair Types Tooth count lets you dial the effect up or down depending on density and desired finish. |
Choosing the Right Tooth Count
Not every notching shear is built the same. Tooth count changes how aggressive or subtle the result looks, so matching the shear to the hair type and the finish you are going for makes all the difference.
| Tooth Count | Effect | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Tooth | Bold, heavy texture | Thick or coarse hair, statement layers |
| 14 Tooth Chunker | Strong notching, fast bulk removal | Dense hair, choppy or edgy styles |
| 40 Tooth | Softer blending, subtle texture | Fine to medium hair, seamless finishes |
For zero visible lines at all, take a look at our Master Series No-Line Thinning Shear. You can browse the full range anytime on our texturizing shears page.
Which Steel Grade Works Best for Texturizing?
A notching shear used constantly throughout the day needs an edge that holds up. Our Pro Series is built on dependable Japanese steel for daily use. The Craft Series uses authentic Japanese 440C steel for extra edge retention. The Master Series in VG-10 steel offers a smoother cutting feel, and for the most demanding schedules, the Infinity Series in ATS-314 steel is built to go the distance.
Add Comfort With a Swivel Handle
If wrist comfort matters as much as the cut itself, pairing a texturizing shear with a swivel handle makes long shifts noticeably easier. Our Revolver Series Rainbow single swivel shear is a favorite for stylists who want that added ergonomic relief without changing their technique.
Ready to add texture to your toolkit? Explore the full lineup of notching and texturizing shears and find the tooth count that fits your everyday cutting style.
Shop Texturizing Shears