Mizutani Philosophy
Since ancient times, Japanese people have believed that a soul resides in the tool that they have used continuously to create their attachments. Despite living in an era of mass production and consumption, we feel that we should not lose sight of the idea of "using a favorite tool regularly for a long time." We are particular about creating each item by hand as the result of our own research and development, starting with the material foundation and ending with design and production while taking into consideration the relationship between "hair," "hand," and "scissors."
The scissors above were made by our founder and have been used by a barber for 30 years with proper maintenance and sharpening until the tip becomes thin. When you use the scissors we made for a long time, it brings us the utmost pleasure. We at MIZUTANI SCISSORS are continuously making our products without forgetting the tradition, passion, pride, and skill that have been taken over from craftsman to craftsman over many generations. Our scissors are not standardized articles made by machine. All are "Not the same" so there is warmth in each and it is fit & finished by hand from the steel plate.
HISTORY
HISTORY OF MIZUTANI
Mizutani is proud of its long history and tradition of manufacturing scissors. The first-ever pair of Mizutani scissors was produced in Asakusa, Tokyo in 1921.
The founder of Mizutani, who was not content with scissors that just cut, was driven to create better scissors, and his unwavering search for scissors that would cut accurately and be manageable at the same time won him the enthusiastic support of his customers. To this day, we maintain the tenacity, passion, and strong will to spare no time or effort in perfecting the traditional techniques that have been passed down to us in our quest to produce better scissors. Mizutani is proud of its long history and tradition of manufacturing scissors.
MATERIALS
MATERIALS OF MIZUTANI
Our passion for selecting the finest materials to hone into actual products is one that can only be developed over time. To maintain such passion in the face of numerous adversities requires sustained tenacity. Mizutani constantly tests new steels and works to overcome their weaknesses so that they can be incorporated into products. This has resulted in products made using a series of revolutionary steels such as Stellite, DAMA and nano powder metal, which have brought Mizutani high praise.
One of Mizutani’s philosophies is that ideas have value only once they are put into practice. We also use rare metals such as cobalt, which has excellent anti-abrasion properties and resists high temperatures and rust; molybdenum, which enhances adhesiveness and provides lasting sharpness; and vanadium, which creates a finer steel structure and enhances its pliability and anti-abrasion properties. Mizutani’s history has revolved around seeking the most suitable steel alloys for scissors and adding them to the lineup in a manner that brings out their best qualities.
CRAFTSMANSHIP
CRAFTSMANSHIP OF MIZUTANI
The integration of materials and craftsmanship — something that can be achieved only because our scissors are handcrafted.
Not accepting second best, and seeking the highest quality. Maintaining such a policy gives Mizutani no other option than handcrafting. Mizutani’s scissors slowly take form in the earnest hands of our craftsmen, step by step, with great care taken to avoid unnecessarily straining the materials. In other words, our craftsmen spare no time or effort in creating the products. When it comes to life, items produced in a rush and with strain can never compete with those crafted slowly and with love. Mizutani is committed to producing handcrafted products. And bearing in mind the tradition, passion, pride, tenacity and techniques handed down from one generation to another, Mizutani’s craftsmen take their time to produce each pair of our scissors with great care.
THE BEAUTY
THE BEAUTY OF MIZUTANI
When we design a new model of scissors, we envision what the users need, and then plan how to integrate the functions, quality, and beauty. I believe the work of our craftsmen is to breathe life into each pair of scissors. Scissors can have a beautiful existence only when their users can clearly sense the passion of the creator. All models are designed with close attention to detail and are developed with passion and sophistication. Scissors that lack one of the three elements — function, quality, and beauty — cease to be Mizutani scissors. In designing products, we at Mizutani continuously seek an added value that transcends the material. We seek something that cannot be explained by numeric values, such as the warmth and comfort of handling, and the joy of holding and using quality scissors.
MIZUTANI 97 YEARS
THE HISTORY OF LEVELSET HANDLES SCISSORS
The scissors, looking same and simple, has changed with the hair styles and fashions. These scissors shown here have the symmetrical handles, designs of which were changed as the times have changed. For example, the 4.5″ long scissors, made in the 1970’s, were used on a large scale when the Sassoon Cut was popular. These with longer handle shanks made in the 1960’s were descended from the shackle-bladed scissors of old times. The leaf-bladed scissors made also in the 1960’s become the prototype of our current Acroleaf and Acroleaf-WIDE series scissors. The New PIXY scissors, published in 2006, have the three-dimensional, organically formed handles. The symmetrical scissors may look simple at a glance and they are styled basic, but have changed to fit the designs of the times. The New Pixy scissors, published in 2006, the STELLITE 1 series, published in 2011, the ACRO TYPE-M series, published in 2011, have the three-dimensional, organically formed handles. And, the SWORD MB series of the new material Nano Powder Metal was published in 2014. The symmetrical scissors may look simple at a glance and they are styled basic, but the scissors have changed to fit the hair style of the times.
