Shear Fanatic™ — Professional Shear Sharpening Curriculum Overview

Instructor: Scott Wilson • Format: Streamable video modules with optional downloads • Audience: Professional sharpeners & advanced beginners seeking pro, convex-edge results

1. Convex Edge / Japanese Edge / Hamaguri Theory

You’ll learn

• Geometry of the convex arc vs. flat/bevel; where the true cutting apex lives.
• What “Hamaguri” means in practice: progressive curvature and blended facets.
• Ride line function as the air-tight seal; how sealing impacts push vs. slice.
• Edge radius, micro-bevels, and why “too sharp” can fail under hair load.
• Burr formation & removal that preserves convex geometry (no roll-over).
• Loupe-based inspection: scratch patterns, apex continuity, contact zones.

Tools & references

• Flat hone with films/pads, water stones (3k–8k), loupe (10–20×), marker test.

Outcome

• Ability to identify, explain, and protect a true convex/Hamaguri edge.

2. Sharpening Machines

You’ll learn

• Flat Hone vs. Twice As Sharp (TAS): architectures, strengths, trade-offs.
• Setup, speed control, platen care, angle control, and safety standards.
• Maintenance rhythms: alignment checks, wheel profiling, film adhesion.
• When TAS is appropriate (bevel & utility) vs. flat hone (convex fidelity).
• Contamination control & cleanliness to protect the ride line and apex.

Tools

• Flat hone, TAS, alignment blocks, angle jigs, dressing sticks.

Outcome

• Confident, safe machine operation with predictable, repeatable results.

3. Ride Lines

You’ll learn

• Identifying the ride line and sealing surface under magnification.
• When to restore vs. preserve; polishing sequences that don’t dish the spine.
• Diagnosing seal failure: light leak test, push test, drop test correlations.
• Stone prep for sealing; slurry management; finishing without rounding.

Tools

• Water stones (e.g., 3k–8k), nagura, lapping plate, loupe, marker.

Outcome

• Reliable, repeatable sealing that prevents pushing and restores glide.

4. J-Hooks

You’ll learn

• What J-hooks are (and nylon guides), how they form, and symptoms in cutting.
• Inspection and mapping of the hook; differentiating from burr artifacts.
• Removal strategies that preserve apex and ride line—no over-polishing.
• Prevention via angle discipline, grit transitions, and tension setting.

Outcome

• Confident diagnosis & correction of hooks with minimal material loss.

5. Sharpening Pads for Flat Hone

You’ll learn

• Pad bases (glass, acrylic, foam-cushioned) and how they affect convexity.
• Film grit mapping (e.g., 15µ → 9µ → 3µ) and scratch-pattern reading.
• PSA vs. hook-and-loop; adhesion, cleaning, and lifespan management.
• Choosing sequences for finish vs. bite, based on scissor use case.

Outcome

• Build custom pad/film stacks to target feel (buttery vs. grabby) on demand.

6. Sharpening Wheels for Twice As Sharp

You’ll learn

• Wheel types (coarse → fine, deburr/polish, leather) and correct pairing.
• Profiling/dressing to maintain flatness and predictable edge formation.
• Angle setups for bevel & utility edges; cautions for convex shears.
• Deburr/polish workflows that don’t round the apex.

Outcome

• TAS workflows that produce crisp, durable bevels with clean cut tests.

7. Water Stones

You’ll learn

• Soak vs. splash-and-go; grit selection for sealing and finish work.
• Flattening cadence; pencil-grid method; stone wear diagnostics.
• Slurry control for fast cut vs. fine polish; avoiding edge rounding.
• Glass-backed stones (e.g., Shapton Glass): stability and feel.

Outcome

• Confident stone prep & finish that upgrades smoothness and sealing.

8. Lapping Plates

You’ll learn

• Diamond plate choices (e.g., Atoma/DMT) and grit selection for flattening.
• Trueness checks; avoiding stone dishing; keeping edges safe.
• When to flatten mid-job; water management and plate care.

Outcome

• Dead-flat stones that produce consistent ride-line seals and finishes.

9. Tension Systems

You’ll learn

• Knob, coin/slotted, click-plate, spring/washer, bearing, and UFO systems.
• Drop test, 45° fall, and in-hand feel tests; reading feedback correctly.
• Washer inspection & replacement; stack height & preload basics.
• How tension interacts with set, sealing, and cutting faults.

Outcome

• Precise, repeatable tensioning that holds through a full workday.

10. Setting Shears / Hammer & Anvil

You’ll learn

• Support points, anvil selection, and hammer control for micro-adjustments.
• Creating/relaxing set along the blade; keeping the tip cross clean.
• Sequencing: sharpen → set → tension → test → micro-corrections.
• Avoiding over-set, toe-in, light leaks, and clicky closes.

Outcome

• Confident, controlled set work that restores alignment and cut quality.

11. Proper Tip Alignment

You’ll learn

• Diagnosing tip offset vs. twist vs. bend; when to adjust which area.
• Soft-jaw tool use; micro-bends near the tip; creep-up methods.
• Light-leak/feel tests and safe closing sound benchmarks.

Outcome

• Tips meet perfectly with safe close, no bite, no daylight.

12. Scissor Types

You’ll learn

• Left vs. right hand geometry; what truly makes a left-hand scissor left-handed.
• Swivel thumbs: ergonomics, set/tension nuances, testing approaches.
• Thinning, chunking, texturizers: tooth shapes, set behavior, burr traps.
• Barber vs. stylist patterns; long-blade stability considerations.

Outcome

• Tailored sharpening per type for best feel, control, and durability.

13. Edge Types

You’ll learn

• Convex, semi-convex, bevel, micro-bevel, and serrated edge behaviors.
• When to add micro-bevels for strength vs. pure convex for silkiness.
• Serration patterns for utility vs. hair; how to preserve or re-create.

Outcome

• Matching edge geometry to use-case for performance and longevity.

14. Forged vs. Cast

You’ll learn

• Forging vs. casting: grain flow, toughness, and sharpening feel.
• Common steels (e.g., 440C, VG10, ATS-314) and their polishing response.
• Heat-treat clues and how they present during sharpening/setting.

Outcome

• Material-aware technique choices that reduce risk and rework.

15. Oiling & Maintenance

You’ll learn

• Friction points to oil, how much, and safe products to use.
• Pivot cleaning, screw care, thread-lock cautions.
• Disinfection that won’t attack finishes or washers (barbicide pitfalls).
• Customer hand-off: daily care checklist that keeps results longer.

Outcome

• Quiet, smooth action that lasts; fewer callbacks and warranty work.

16. Fitting Guide

You’ll learn

• Measuring hand size; ring insert selection; rest placement.
• Offset vs. straight handles; neutral wrist alignment for stamina.
• On-the-fly adjustments for comfort and control.

Outcome

• Better ergonomics and control for clients; higher satisfaction.

17. Problem Solving

You’ll fix

• Pushing, bending, folding hair (seal vs. set vs. tension root causes).
• Hair catching/snags; chatter; harsh close; tip bite.
• Noisy/scuffing pivots; premature dulling; corrosion marks.
• After-service test protocol to sign off confidently.

Outcome

• Systematic diagnosis → targeted correction → verified results.

18. Marketing Your Sharpening Business Business

You’ll build

• Service menu & price ladder (in-salon, mail-in, white-glove options).
• Simple outreach system: routes, school partnerships, cosmetology pros.
• Google Business Profile basics, reviews flywheel, and proof assets.
• After-service follow-up: stickered care card, tension check script.
• Repeat business: text/email reminders tied to usage intervals.

Outcome

• Predictable lead flow, higher retention, and premium positioning.

© Shear Fanatic™ Scissor Company • Questions? info@salonshearsdirect.com