How to Properly Oil Your Shears: The Essential Guide for Stylists & Barbers

Keeping your shears in peak condition isn’t optional — it’s the difference between clean, effortless cutting and a frustrating, inconsistent performance. If your shears ever feel rough, sticky, stiff, or sluggish, odds are simple: they need oiling.

This guide breaks down exactly why oiling matters, how often to do it, and the correct way to protect your investment. Whether you use professional hair shears, swivel shears, texturizing shears, or barber shears, these steps apply across the board.

Why Oiling Your Shears Matters

Hair-cutting shears are precision tools. Without proper lubrication, they wear down faster and stop performing the way they should. Oiling your shears helps with:

• Preventing rust and corrosion — Even premium Japanese steel like 440C, VG10, and ATS-314 can develop rust if moisture and hair products build up.
• Reducing friction — Oil allows the blades to glide smoothly, reducing hand and wrist fatigue.
• Extending blade life — Less friction = less wear on the cutting edge.
• Removing hair and debris — Oil helps flush out micro-hairs and residue that hide inside the pivot.

If you want your shears to cut as cleanly as the day you bought them — or better — regular oiling is non-negotiable.

When Should You Oil Your Shears?

• Daily (or after each use) — Especially if you cut 8–12 clients a day or use advanced tools like swivel shears.
• After cleaning with alcohol or disinfectant — These strip natural lubrication and leave the pivot dry.
• If your shears feel stiff, tight, or grabby — Oil often restores performance instantly.

Stylists and barbers who oil regularly get smoother cutting, longer edge life, and fewer sharpening emergencies.

How to Properly Oil Your Shears