When it comes to texturizing hair there are multiple ways create it. To create texture using a tool, hair professionals can turn to either shears, thinning shears or razors. If you use one of these tools, it's important to learn various texturizing techniques. Each tool will give slightly different results. In the salon, hairdressing can be challenging. You are constantly dealing with different hair types such as thin or thick hair, straight or curly and short or long hair. You must take into consideration the client's desires as well as the hair you are working with. These factors will help determine the tool used in adding texture to hair. This article will discuss how to texturize hair with some of the best tools on the market. But first, what is textured hair? Hair with texture is one with volume and shape. This could come in the form of movement, body, airiness, curls or waves. Learning how to get more texture in hair is multi-faceted and there are many factors to consider when doing so.

How to Texturize Hair

In this video, Russell Mayes, Director of Content for Jatai, gives us a run down on how to texturize hair in a one length bob using scissors vs. a razor. By understanding the different techniques and the results they give, this can help you decide the best technique to use with your clients to create texture. You can follow along and view the video or read through the transcript below.  Enjoy!   Today we're going to be doing a study in texture and how to create textured hair. What's the difference between texturizing with a scissor versus texturizing with a razor? Let's get started. I've already gone through and cut everything one length. So that's going to give me the simplest shape that I can really see the texturizing pop and the variations between the two. So I'm going to go through and deep point cut with the scissors the entire right side of the head and use some thinning scissors to thin it out where I feel like it's too heavy. And then on the right side of the head I'm going to use my Feather Plier and go through and channel some texture into it and that will also remove weight where I feel that I need to and create separation.

Texturizing Hair with a Scissor

So we're going to start right here on the right side of our section of the nape which is the occipital to the mastoid. I'm going to use my Jatai Kyoto Scissors. This is the sharpest scissor that I have and so it's going to be easy for me to apply a deep point cut without having to fight it. I'm going to comb everything straight down and about halfway through I'm going to comb this right against my fingers to kind of flatten that section out and get it real straight and then I'm going to go through and just point cut real deep. I'm not keeping the scissor completely 100% parallel with the hair. I want to go through and cut it at an angle so I can create some separation and some pieciness to it. Now whenever I go through and do a deep point cut like this I'm basically only adding texture to the bottom 2 or 3 inches of the section. Now from here I'll continue on taking parallel sections as I go up the head. And one thing that I want to be mindful of is to not pick up my previously cut section. I don't want to go through and overly texturize hair that I've already gone through and cut and texturized. I don't want to take too thin a section. If I take too thin of a section I won't be able to see how much that I'm actually taking out so I want a thick enough section that I can actually see my channel point cutting going through. Each section I will cut, I will cut independently of any other section so I have no guide. Each section is cut strictly by feel. If if I need to I'll ribbon that section together go through, cut that up and in. And I'm going to continue my sections until I run out of hair. Now we're coming to the last section. Now for areas that I feel like are too thick I can change up my approach by either going through re-sectioning standing up and going through and cutting through but it's not very easy to control when I do that. On the bottom it you don't have to have that much control but when you're working internally you need more control. So in that case where I need more control over how much hair I'm thinning I'm going to use my Jatai Tokyo Thinning Scissors. This way I can control exactly how much I take and exactly where I'm taking it from and I can choose if I want the texture blade on top of the section or on the bottom. If I go through and use the cutting blade on top it'll be a little bit more seamless so that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to go through take a vertical section, point cut about halfway through. Where it gets longer I may hit it twice. That way I can thin without leaving any kind of scissor marks at all and I can also be much more in control of where I take my hair from and how much I take. Like right here there's less hair. Here there's a little bit more so I'll take a little bit more. This section there's very little through here but just a little bit underneath so I'll take there. And I'm going to go through and do this to all the sections. I will take a larger section and since I'm taking it vertical it'll be easier for me to control than if I take a real fine small horizontal section. Pull that straight out. Little bit there. A little bit more. A little bit more. A little bit more. Where it's thicker I'll take more. I'll hit it more times. Where it's not as thick, I won't take as much. On the top I don't want to run the risk of any kind of alfalfa sprig sticking up so I will never texturize more than about halfway through the section. If I start texturizing up here close I run the risk of that sticking up. Now that's texturized for thinning to even out the thickness and point cutting on the bottom.

Texturizing Hair with a Razor

So now let's learn how to make hair textured with a razor. On the razor side I'm going to go through and use a little bit of Jatai Blade Glide to help my razor slide through the hair more effortlessly. So now I'm going to use my Feather Plier Razor which is a guardless razor and I'm going to go through comb this section straight down just like I did on the other side but instead of point cutting up I'm going to razor cut and channel some of this out and take out as much hair as I feel that I need to. Now with this method I will actually thin and separate at the same time where the other side with the scissor I had to go through and do both independently. I will not channel more than about halfway through the length of the section. I could probably get away with it more underneath than I can on top which sometimes I will actually go through and thin it deeper if I feel that the hair is so overly thick and really really stiff. Now I'm going to continue taking parallel sections as I run up the side of the head. Start in the center of the back and then work towards the front. Close the blade each time so I don't end up cutting any hair or cutting myself. Get that out of the way. Now as I'm going through and channel cutting this I want you to notice that I'm starting with the tip and then I will go in and that way I use the entire length of the blade not just the tip of the blade. I don't thin this very very front piece here. I'll thin the hair just behind it. Now I'm just going to continue on and do the same thing until I run out of hair being mindful to not pick up hair underneath as I texturize each subsequent section. Now let's see if we can tell a difference while it's wet. Oh yes the scissor side is going to be a little bit well actually it's a lot more solid than the razor side. And it's heavier. It doesn't have the same amount of movement to it that the razor side has but let's blow it dry, take a look at it, see how we're doing. We've got our lovely model blown dry and now let's compare the differences between the side done with the a scissor and a thinning scissor versus the side done with the razor where you channel cut it and controlled the weight at the same time. You can really see the differences with dry hair. Now on the right side you can certainly tell when I run my fingers through it it still has this nice solid shape and the texturizing is a very soft diffused kind of separation. I still have a good solid strong shape. It creates a lot of movement to it but it still has that solid one length shape and it just bevels my one length shape. So sometimes a one length bob can look very very blunt and broom like. So by going through and doing it this way I certainly bevel that but at the same time I keep it really straight. And most of the movement and texturizing is in the bottom two inches of the hair. Even though I went through and texturized internally it was more of an even diffused thinning where I get the separation underneath. Now if I look at my razor side you can certainly tell when I run my fingers through this I've got a lot more separation of texture from the center all the way down through the ends and it forces it to separate into pieces much more prevalently than the other side. [caption id="attachment_39859" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Final Results[/caption] So when would I use one over the other to texture hair? Say for instance that I have somebody with very very thick but fine textured hair, I'm definitely using the razor. If I have someone with thinner hair that I want to maintain a solid shape and I just want to soften the edges, then I'll use a scissor for it. If I have hair that has a fuzziness in the texture, I'll definitely use a scissor and a thinning scissor for it because I can get my thinning and control without any fear of it exploding the cuticle. Now there are other texturizing techniques such as twist cutting but it's not covered here. Click this link to see a video on twist cutting. While you can also create texturized hair by using chemical sprays or dry shampoos, cutting the hair with either a shear or razor can make texture last for a longer period of time. Sprays can leave build-up over time if they are not washed off thoroughly. Take care when using texturizing sprays and don't over use them. We hope you learned something about how to add texture to hair and it's useful for you in the salon. Even though this was done on a one length bob, these techniques can be done on longer or shorter hair as well. A bob is just the simplest shape for this demonstration. If you enjoyed this video, you can see our other videos in Jatai Academy's Education Connect where we have hundreds of videos to learn from. There are also a number of other videos that show you how to texturize hair in other ways. You can also shop any of our products from our store. We hope to see you again soon.

During the pandemic salons and barbershops were forced to close for an extended period. This caused many people to find new ways of maintaining their hair. Whether it be cutting their hair at home or letting it grow out and run wild, trying something different was forced upon many people. Hair professionals, on the other hand, had to learn how to cope with the lack of income coming in and got creative with how they could use their skills to make some extra money. One of those ways was teaching people how to cut their hair at home. Fast forward a few years later, many people have gladly returned to the salon and barbershops for their favorite services and haircuts. But many have adapted a new hairstyle and others have figured out they can cut their hair at home or at least do maintenance between haircuts. Some people even found they could razor cut their own hair completely. One might think that razor cutting your own hair is scary in fear of cutting off too much or cutting it wrong. There’s also the fear that razor cutting hair will leave hair frayed with split ends. This fear is valid but with a little knowledge this fear can easily be overcome. We asked some professional hairstylists if they could provide some tips for home users who want to get better at cutting their hair at home. Here’s what they had to say…  

Gregory Patterson

 

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Gregory is a hairstylist based out of NYC. He’s a global educator and a celebrity brand ambassador. His IG is filled with quirky videos, haircutting tips and he always seems to be having fun! We asked him for 3 tips he could give for cutting hair at home. Here’s what he said.   1) PREP is EVERYTHING Especially when it comes to using the Feather Styling Razor at home, you want to use great tools in your hair that allows for an easy “slide and glide.” This not only helps you brush through any kinks or knots but also provides a perfect pairing when sliding your Feather Razor down the hair strands. USE A SUPER SHARP RAZOR BLADE!  You can get a couple uses out of your razor blade but use a freshie every time if possible. This creates clean sharp hair ends, avoids drag and helps to eliminate frizz and split ends. To eliminate frizz, you can use leave-in treatments, creams or oils that are right for your hair type and texture.   2) Dry vs Wet Haircutting There has always been a debate about razor haircutting on dry hair vs. wet hair. Here’s my take… Call me controversial and a rule breaker (I’ve never been one to do things just one way), but I love to use my Feather Razor on both wet hair AND dry hair, especially when it comes to cutting your own hair. If you aren’t technically trained and don’t have a great understanding of hair physics, many things can go wrong when cutting wet hair. I always say “wet hair lies, dry hair truths.” Wet hair can bounce back, shrink up, group curls with strong hair growth patterns and create holes or imbalance in your finished shape. With dry hair (and specifically cutting your dry hair at home) it’s much easier to navigate the map. You see exactly what happens to the hair immediately. Whether you wear your hair air dried or blow dry it and style it, dry haircutting should be done after it’s in its final dried and/or styled state. So if you normally air dry your hair, wait until your hair is air dried and then dry cut it. And if you normally blow dry and style your hair, do that first, then dry cut it. If you always let your hair air dry (never or rarely blow dry it), dry razor hair cutting can give amazing results. You will see exactly where and what you want to take off, layer, texturize, and detail.   3) “MORE means MORE” The MORE you lift the hair and cut, the MORE layering you create. Below is a great guide to follow to understand the effect you’ll get from lifting your hair at different “zones” and the layers that can be achieved. Cutting CLOCK GUIDE Remember, the higher you lift into a “time zone” the more layering you create, meaning the more hair you will remove. BEFORE you cut or slice the hair that’s in your hands, ask yourself every time “What time is it?” Is that the time you’re wanting? If so, go ahead and cut or slice the hair. If not, lift the hair higher or drop the hair lower and then cut your hair at this “time” all around your clock (head shape). So what are these time zones? Imagine a clock with the numbers 1-12 on it. Now apply this to your head where 6:00 is the floor and 12:00 is the top of your head. If you cut your hair between 6:00 (floor) and 9:00 (ear) your layering will land anywhere from your ears and below. This is minimal to moderate hair removal in terms of length and weight. Your hair will have movement and layering within that zone. Depending on how high you lift within this time zone, you will get soft layering that falls anywhere from your ear height and below. If you cut your hair between 9:00 (ears) and 12:00 (top of head), you will get moderate to maximum hair removal in terms of length and weight. The layers are dependent on what “time” you lifted the hair to. Hair will fall anywhere within the 9:00 to 12:00 zone AND 9:00 to 6:00 zone. If you elevate the hair from 6:00 all the way up to 12:00, all of the time markers will become touched (6:00, 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00). This is the maximum elevation which gives the maximum hair removal. Keep in mind that these time markers are in reference to the right side of the head. The same would apply to the left side of the head where the time markers would be 6:00, 5:00, 4:00, 3:00, 2:00, 1:00 and 12:00. It’s very important to establish what your end result looks like. Then, reverse engineer to determine which technique(s) you will need to achieve the desired shape, movement, layering and amount of weight removal. The main takeaways:   1) PREP is Everything. Use good quality tools and sharp blades. 2) Dry vs Wet Haircutting. It’s okay to dry cut (in my opinion) as you will see exactly where and what you want to take off. Just make sure it’s in the air dried or blow dried and styled state before dry cutting. 3) MORE means MORE. The higher you lift the hair before you cut, the more length and weight gets removed. The lower you lift the hair before you cut, the more length and weight stays on.  Use the Clock Guide to help determine how much hair removal you want to achieve.  

Shay Mullins

 

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Shay is a hairstylist based out of Sacramento. She specializes in shags, mullets and creative haircuts. She has a cute, fun style about here that shows through her content. Every once in a while, you’ll see her razor cutting her own hair too! Here are her tips. 1. Never use a razor on dry hair.  You should only use a razor on wet hair because using it on dry hair will damage your hair and create split ends, leaving your hair looking and feeling frizzy and damaged. 2. Make sure you hold the hair you’re cutting taut. You should hold the hair taut to maintain control of the section you are cutting. Holding it loose can also create damage and frizz. 3. In this reel I’m removing internal weight from my hair so it looks less bulky without removing any length. I’m visually looking at my hair and seeing what looks heavy, grabbing those pieces and carving out anything that looks like it needed to go. If you do this at home be very mindful of what you’re cutting or you could accidentally cut into your length. After every carved-out piece I take, I then re- zhuzh my hair back into place to make sure it looks good.  

Tiana Walter

@thehairaesthetic #razorhaircut #bangtrim #curtainbangs #hairstylisteducation #stylisttraining #hairhelp #howtotrimbangs #wispyfringe #eyeslipsface #cosmetology ♬ Luxury fashion (no vocals) - TimTaj

Tiana is a stylist who provides hair tips and tutorials on TikTok. She talks about her favorite products and gives some useful styling tips. She also uses a Feather Styling Razor.  Tiana’s content is very educational and you can learn a lot from her in all areas of haircutting and styling. Here are her tips for cutting your hair at home. Cutting your own hair at home can be intimidating, but with the right tools and techniques, you can achieve a fresh new look and have some fun! As a hairstylist, I understand the importance of a good haircut and want to share three tips to help you successfully cut your own hair at home. 1. Invest in the right tools To achieve a professional-looking haircut, you need to have the right tools. This includes a pair of sharp scissors, a comb, and a hair clip. Avoid using kitchen or craft scissors as they can cause split ends and make it difficult to get a clean cut. A pair of hair cutting scissors will make the job much easier and ensure a smooth cut. 2. Cut your hair when it's dry Cutting your hair when it's wet may seem like a good idea, but it can actually be quite challenging. Wet hair is heavier and stretches when you comb it out, which can cause it to look longer than it actually is. This can lead to uneven or asymmetrical cuts when the hair dries. Cutting dry hair allows you to see the exact length and shape of your hair, ensuring a more accurate and precise cut. 3. Take it slow and steady When cutting your hair at home, it's important to take your time and be patient. Start by washing and drying your hair, and then comb it thoroughly to remove any knots or tangles. When cutting, take small sections of hair and cut them one at a time. Don't try to cut too much hair at once, as this can lead to uneven cuts or mistakes that are difficult to fix. Remember, you can always go back and cut more if needed, but it's much harder to fix a cut that is too short. Before cutting hold the hair where it will “live” or land. Is this where you want the length to be? Take your time, take a deep breath and have fun! Cutting your own hair at home can be a fun and gratifying experience, but it's important to approach it with the right mindset and tools.  

Kelly Bird

 

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Kelly is a stylist and educator specializing in razor cutting. She loves to create shags, work with curls and natural texture, does non-toxic coloring and blonding and more. She is based out of Bellingham, WA. She offered some great tips. 1. Razor cutting works best when you have enough grow out to cut, at least an inch is ideal, less is doable once you have a bit more practice and understanding of the tool. Remember to step back and look at your work. We get up close in the mirror to see what we are doing when cutting our own hair so it’s important to take a couple steps back and really look at the shape. 2. Don’t start a home haircut when you are in a rush or have an event to be at. It just never works out well. 3. Take before and after photos for your own reference. It is so helpful to see the changes and take notes of what you do and don’t like. Adjust your technique next time. There are no rules despite what some people may tell you. We have all learned through trial and error. Wet hair, dry hair, small section, big section. Try different things and do what feels good to YOU! It’s your hair, you get to be an artist, and most importantly have fun doing it.  

Megan Reid

 

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Megan is a hairstylist based out of Orlando, FL. She’s a lover of color services and does both scissor and razor cutting. She showcases some beautiful cuts and color on her Instagram page. She also chimed in with some tips on bang cutting. I love using the JATAI Feather Razor for cutting my own bangs! It’s perfect for taking off length and creating texture at the same time. My best advice would be to start with the hair wet, comb forward where you want to create your shape, and then start carving away! I choose to cut my bangs wet because I find the razor glides smoother through the hair. I will define it a little once the hair is dry with the razor as well! Another good tip is to always start with a new blade. Most importantly have fun! There’s so many cool shapes to create!   Cutting your hair at home is best for in between maintenance. Whether it's trimming bangs or adding in a few face framing layers, these can be done at home. But for full haircuts, it's best to leave it up to a professional as they will have the proper techniques and skillsets to give you the haircut you want. Using a razor to cut your hair at home is easier to use than scissors simply because the cuts are less precise. With scissors, if you make a wrong snip it's easily noticeable. Scissors are less forgiving. And as you can see, there is much controversy about cutting hair wet vs. dry.  If you're looking to cut your hair at home which includes razor cutting, take some of the advice from professionals. Experiment a bit and see what works!

The Feather Plier Razor has quickly become the industry standard for bare blade razor cutting. You’ve probably seen it used by your favorite stylists on Insta or you’ve attended classes with the instructor using one. The Feather Plier Razor is the ultimate haircutting razor and the most dangerous. Prior to the 1990’s most hair professionals did not use a haircutting razor. They primarily used scissors. Although there were some hairstylists that used a bare blade razor, many stylists were scared to use one in fear they would cut themselves and their clients. It was unfortunate because a razor could add so much more depth to their haircutting abilities. But in 1992, Feather and JATAI created a razor would forever change the way hairstylists looked at razor cutting. The Feather Styling Razor was born. A handle that uses guarded replaceable blades was a historical game changer in the industry. Now stylists could razor cut without cutting themselves or their clients. Since its inception, the Feather Styling Razor has quickly become the most popular and well-known haircutting razor on the market. Stylists have been able to be more creative, create new looks and experiment with the Styling Razor to further their craft. And with the ability to use 3 different blades in the handle, this further tailored to the needs of the stylist. But this article is about the Feather Plier Razor, isn’t it? Yes, we’re getting there… The Feather Styling Razor has been a great introductory razor for stylists. Many will stick with the Feather Styling Razor for the rest of their career. They are perfectly fine with the guarded blade and don’t see any issue with the guard. But for some, the guard gets in the way, and they want more freedom. If it wasn’t for social media, the Plier Razor might not have gained the popularity it has gained. For stylists, it’s fun to show video using the razor to cut hair and it’s satisfying to watch. It’s also  eye catching to see the before and after results when using a Plier correctly. It’s a unique skillset that stylists want to show off because not everyone can use one. It takes practice and patience and generally a lot of money if you want to learn from the best. In fact, we see more social content around the Plier than the Styling Razor for this very reason. And while this is a valuable and admirable skillset, any stylist who uses a Feather Plier Razor will get cut. Sometimes those cuts can get nasty, but that’s the price you pay for using a bare blade razor. It's interesting to see razor haircutting come full circle. From a time when razor cutting was frowned upon because it was dangerous to a time where it’s highly inspirational and desirable to razor cut with a bare blade. In fact, more and more razor cutting classes using a bare blade are popping up. Why is this change happening? First off, razor cutting is minimally taught in beauty school. Razor cutting is considered an advanced skill so if you want to get good at it, you’ll have to get additional training. Using a bare blade razor is considered a specialized skill. Stylists pay a lot of money to learn this skill and in turn can charge a lot more for their services because they can create looks that have more depth which cannot be created with scissors alone. So you see more razor cutting classes because there is a demand but also there are more stylists who know how to razor cut with a bare blade razor. Secondly, the hair industry is expanding and growing. Stylists are getting better faster. They are curious and hungry to be the best at their craft which means learning to use more tools, becoming exposed to new and better products, and learning from the best in the industry. Thirdly, there are many stylists who want to ‘graduate’ from the guarded blade and move up to the unguarded blade. By doing so, this gives ultimate freedom in razor haircutting. Sometimes the guard can get in the way. If there is too much guard, it can create drag. So they are willing to take the risk of cutting themselves in order to eliminate the guard. Stylists are becoming braver. They are not as afraid at trying new things. But in an industry that has grown over the years, they need to stand out. Standing out could mean specializing in a certain type of haircut or being known for something specific such as specializing in razor cutting or updos. There are more niches than ever these days. Razor cutting with a bare blade is a growing industry. And what better way to do bare blade haircutting than with a Feather Plier Razor.  Made in Japan, the slim French razor profile and folding handle makes this razor difficult to compete with. The Feather Plier Razor uses extremely sharp blades. In fact, there is no better blade than the Feather Plier Blade for razor cutting. They are consistent, high quality and long lasting. The Feather Plier Razor is a tool you must take seriously, or it will seriously take you. Give it respect and it will respect you back. But with proper care and attention you can minimize injury. And with proper technique you can create a masterpiece and some of the most beautiful haircuts you’ve ever seen. The bare blade razor has come full circle. If you’re ready to take your razor cutting to the next level, start with the best tool, the Feather Plier Razor.

If you scour the internet and even shopping sites for a haircutting razor and sometimes straight razors, you might see them referred to as a ‘Feather Razor’ but let’s set the record straight. Not all haircutting and straight razors are ‘Feather Razors.’ It seems that over time people have come to associate a ‘Feather Razor’ as a basic term for a haircutting razor or sometimes a straight razor. Let’s look at this deeper so that you are not confused or mistaken on what you’re actually purchasing. If you think of tissue you might generically call it Kleenex. Or if you think of a bandage, you  might call it a Band-Aid. What we forget is that Kleenex and Band-Aid are actually brands and not generic terms for the product. Afterall, there are many brands of tissue out there such as Puffs, Cushelle, Presto! and more. But if you call it Kleenex you’re actually referring to a brand and not a type of product. It just happens to be that Kleenex has become the most popular and most well-known brand for tissue in the world. It’s a registered trademark name that has become so popular people say ‘tissue’ and ‘Kleenex’ interchangeably like they are same thing. Same with bandages. There are many bandage brands out there. Nexcare, Welly and Curad are just a few. And many drug stores have their own brand of bandages like Rite-Aid, CVS and Walgreens as well. Band-Aid, however, is the most popular and well-known bandage brand so ‘Band-Aid’ is often associated with the word ‘bandage’ and used interchangeably. So now that you understand this concept we can apply it to a Feather Razor. ‘Feather’ is a brand name. It is not a generic term for all haircutting razors or straight razors. However, the Feather Razor was the FIRST guarded haircutting razor on the market and has become the most popular one in the world. And since it is the first one, it is also the one that has been around the longest. So people have come to associate a ‘Feather Razor’ as a haircutting razor. If you see a razor labeled as ‘Feather’ ask yourself if you are looking at an actual Feather branded razor or an off-brand razor but using Feather in the name. Being able to decipher between the two might not seem critical but it is important if you want the Feather quality. Feather products are made in Japan and have a reputation for high quality products where the blades are reliable, dependable and consistently sharp. Other hair brands have created their own, but they are not Feather. We cannot attest to their quality, function or usability. The misuse of ‘Feather Razor’ is recognizable on shopping sites where sellers might call their razor a Feather Razor when it’s actually a different haircutting razor. Since Feather is a registered trademark name, they can get into big legal trouble for using a brand name in the name of their razor. But the misuse has been noticed in social media as well. On sites like TikTok and Instagram where people talk about their favorite products, influencers can unknowingly misspeak when talking about products and call them the wrong name. This is detrimental to the brand as their viewers and followers may take what the influencer says as truth. So how do we navigate this situation? It starts here. First, understand what’s happening and where the problem lies. Then, make sure that you yourself don’t call all haircutting or straight razors a ‘Feather’ razor unless it really is. And thirdly, inform others nicely if they have misspoken. You might think this who situation is good for Feather because it’s getting the brand name more noticed. However, while there is some truth to this, it also creates confusion and misrepresentation and could lead to someone purchasing a razor they thought was a Feather Razor when it’s not. So there you have it…a deep explanation to set the record straight. Not all haircutting and straight razors are Feather razors. If you already knew this, then great! But if you didn’t hopefully it gave some clarity. If you’re interested in a real Feather Razor, you can check them out here.

It’s that time of year again! Black Friday and Cyber Week Sales are happening soon. For great deals on your favorite JATAI products, find out what they are by reading below… JATAI has always been known for offering the highest quality beauty and grooming tools for hair professionals and consumers made in Japan. With brands like Feather, Seki Edge, Fuji Paper, Ikemoto and JATAI branded products, there are a variety of useful products you will love and many say they can’t live without!  

Black Friday Deals

If you're looking for some great Black Friday deals don't look any further than JATAI.net where you can get up to 40% off of all razor handles. This includes hair cutting and shaving razor handles such as Feather Styling Razors, the Plier Razor, Artist Club Razors, Nape and Body Razor, double edge razors and cartridge razors. This deal is unheard of but it’s happening in just a few days! Feather Styling Razors are the premier haircutting razor of choice for hairstylists and barbers. With a guarded blade and ergonomic handle, the Styling Razor celebrates its 30^th anniversary this year! Such a momentous feat. The blades are replaceable, so you always have a sharp blade. Plus, you can choose up to 3 different blade styles to meet your haircutting needs. Choose from a variety of handle colors such as red, silver and black. There is also a short handle version that comes in other colors. If you’re an advanced razor cutter or just looking to up your razor cutting game, the Feather Plier is the way to go. With an unguarded blade, the Feather Plier Razor is loved and used by many stylists who want the freedom of razor cutting without a guard. Of course, it is more dangerous to use because it takes a bare blade. However, the Feather Plier allows you to be the most creative with your haircut styles. Haircutting razors provide the ability to create different looks and styles than scissors just can’t. You can check out the Plier Razor here. Feather Artist Club Razors are high quality professional shaving razors that give the closest shave and smoothest skin. There are several models ranging from the SS to SR to DX. All Feather Artist Club Razor handles can use any of the five Artist Club Blades to tailor your shaving needs. Barbers cherish this razor for their full face shaves and lineups. The weight, balance and sleek look of Artist Club Razors make these shaving razors a sweet addition to any shaving routine. Lastly, the Feather Nape and Body Razor is a small handle razor that uses a short, guarded blade made for shaving small, tight areas like the nape, sideburns, eyebrows and bikini areas. Hairstylists can use this razor to shave because the blades feature a guard. It’s a great razor for stylists who do short haircuts and want to keep the neckline clean and crisp. When it comes to consumer facing products, Feather Double Edge Razors are the top of the line. The Wood handle or all stainless steel handle razors are a beauty. They have a nice weight which allows the razor to do the work. To see all Feather Double Edge Razors click here. There are also cartridge razors such as the Feather F3 and Butler. Each of these razors can use either the F3, F2 or MR3 blade. These razors are unique in their handling and performance and primarily cater to sensitive skin. You can also get 35% off all Seki Edge Grooming Kits during JATAI’s Black Friday sale. Seki Edge has a variety of kits from a 2-piece to a 9-piece kit each housed in a compact, made-for-travel carrying case. If you want something simple, the Seki Edge Craftsman Luxury 2-Piece Grooming Kit is a great choice. Featuring our top nail clippers, your nails will always be nice and trimmed. If you’re more detailed about your grooming, the 9-piece will surely impress. All of your nail grooming needs will be addressed with this one. JATAI’s Black Friday sales are available from November 11th through the 27^th, 2022.  

Cyber Week Deals

JATAI also has amazing Cyber Week sales from November 28th through December 5^th, 2022. During this time you can get 30% off all Feather Blades. Also, when you buy 2 Seki Edge products you get one free (equal or lesser value). Need to refill your Feather Blades? Choose from Styling Razor Blades, Plier Blades, Artist Club Blades, Nape Blades, double edge blades or cartridge blades. There are three different Styling Razor Blades (Standard, R-Type and Texturizing). Each type of blade works best in different situations and each pack contains 10 blades. The most versatile blade is the Standard Blades. It’s great for all razor haircutting, especially for beginners. Look for the orange packaging. The R-Type Blades have 40% more blade exposure than the Standard Blades for rapid cuts. With less guard you can cut hair faster and cut off more hair in one swipe. This one is best used by razor haircutters who are more experienced with a razor and want to cut quicker with less drag. The Texturizing Blades have a different guard pattern made to cut 25% less hair than the Standard Blades. This blade is good to use on clients with fine hair or thin hair but you still want to give texture. The Plier Blades are the only blade that can be used in the Plier Razor. It is an extremely sharp bare blade that fits snug in the Plier Razor. For the most artistic and elite razor haircutter, the Plier Blades are no joke when it comes to sharpness. You must know what you are doing to use these so use with caution. If you can master the Plier, the results are mind blowingly beautiful. The Plier Blades come with 20 blades per pack. There are 5 Feather Artist Club Blades: Professional, ProGuard, Super, Light and SoftGuard. Each blade is designed for different situations and different types of hair and skin types. After all, we are not made equally. The most versatile blade is the Professional Blade. You can’t go wrong with this blade. If you want more safety, opt for the ProGuard Blades which have a built-in guard. You are less likely to cut yourself or your client when using this blade. This is a popular blade for those new to straight razor shaving or who want that extra safety. The Super Blade is for super hair. This means thick, heavy, coarse facial hair. That’s right, it’s the blade that can easily tackle the thickest of facial hair in one swipe. With the greatest blade exposure, this blade has super powers that none of the other blades have. The Light Blades, on the other hand, are quite the opposite. They give the least blade exposure. When would you use this blade? It’s good for sensitive skin or thin, fine hair. This could be good for shaving women or shaving fuzz. It is a gentle blade for gentle skin. And the fifth and newest Artist Club Blade is the SoftGuard Blades which are a hybrid of the Light Blades and the ProGuard Blades. With little blade exposure, it also features a built-in guard on the blades. This one would be for similar use as the Light Blades but with extra safety. The Nape Blades are used in the Feather Nape and Body Razor. The Nape Blades are small blades with a built-in guard. This blade is small so it can get into smaller areas that the larger razors have a more difficult time addressing. The Nape Blades only fit in the Nape and Body Razor. Some hairstylists have gotten creative with the razor and are even using it to cut hair! The Feather Double Edge Blades are tried and true blades. Sharp and made of stainless steel, these blades are the sharpest double edge blades around. Just go ask any shaving forum. There are various pack sizes so pick from a 5pk, 10pk, 20pk, 100pk sleeve or 200pk sleeve. Double edge blades are a great way to help do your part to be environmentally friendly as well as save money. But if you just can’t get away from cartridge razors, the F3, F2 and MR3 cartridge blades are a great alternative. The F3 blade, in particular, has a triple blade with a built-in wavy guard on each blade to reduce razor burn and bumps. The independent suspension of each blade allows the blade to gently go over the skin without force and the SiC ceramic coating allows for smooth passes. If you’re prone to sensitive skin, razor bumps or burns, this blade is definitely for you! During Cyber Week you can also save with Seki Edge. When you buy 2 Seki Edge products you can get 1 free for equal or lesser value. This includes grooming kits! Perhaps get some of your favorite nail clippers or grooming kits to give as gifts or stock up on some needed tweezers or make-up scissors. The choice is yours. Take advantage of these amazing deals during Black Friday and Cyber Week. You won't see these deals anywhere else or anytime else soon so stop by JATAI.net. We can’t wait to get this party started!

In 1992, Dean Wada, founder and CEO of JATAI, the exclusive distributor of the Feather brand in the US and Canada, approached the Feather team in Japan with an idea for a new haircutting razor that used guarded, replaceable blades. That new tool, now known industry-wide as the Feather Styling Razor, opened a door to a whole new creative space for stylists, allowing them to razor cut without fear of cutting themselves or their clients. This summer, JATAI is celebrating the 30^th anniversary of the Feather Styling Razor with a new influencer driven social media campaign. Safety was the most important factor in the design of the razor. Featuring a non-folding razor handle for ease of use and to prevent accidental cuts from an exposed blade, the Feather Styling Razor can be held like a paintbrush, becoming an extension to the hand and making it easier for stylists to use the razor more creatively. Unlike folding haircutting razors, no special training is needed with the Feather Styling Razor which also includes a blade tray and disposal case that allows stylists to insert and dispose blades without having to touch them. When reflecting on the anniversary, Wada said, “Over the last 30 years, the success of our company and the Feather brand has been deeply rooted not only in our business strategy, but in the creativity of the hair professionals. It was our intention to design a safe haircutting tool for them that allowed them to freely create and showcase their artistry and skill. We are thrilled that all these years later, the Feather Styling Razor is still the number one haircutting razoron the market.” Since its debut in 1992, the Feather Styling Razor has forever changed the way hair professionals cut hair, allowing for unique and fun styles that can only be achieved by a razor. JATAI will be honoring that endless creativity with its summer campaign which will feature a host of stylist-led content including a collection of anniversary-themed videos in the JATAI Academy, JATAI’s free online education platform. The new Education CONNECT video tutorials will showcase modern day takes on iconic hairstyles from the past three decades including 1990s grunge-inspired French bob inspired by Winona Ryder and Drew Barrymore’s iconic ‘90s looks; a 2000s-inspired pixie made famous by Halle Berry; an ode to the sexy, long layered cut of the 2010s; and one of today’s hottest styles, the shullet. Filmed with Los Angeles-based stylists Janine Jarman (@janinejarman), Mikey Teeze (@mikey_teeze), Rae Steele (@raeikole) and Charli Boell (@shrunknheads), respectively, each video will highlight the versatility of the Feather Styling Razor, showing a complete haircut done using only the razor. In addition to the education-focused content, JATAI will also collaborate with influential razor-cut specialists for a social media campaign across Instagram and TikTok. These stylists, who know and love the Feather Styling Razor, will be sharing tutorials, finished looks and their own personal tips and tricks using the razor. JATAI will also be hosting giveaways and special offers on the razor handle and Styling Razor Blades exclusively on JATAI.net. JATAI’s Feather Styling Razor 30^th anniversary campaign launches July 5, 2022 on JATAI.net and @jataifeather.

If you’re new to razor haircutting and new to the Feather Styling Razor, you might find there are a number of choices to make when it comes to using one. We know learning how to razor cut is already a big task and commitment, so getting the most out of your razor shouldn’t be. In this article, we will be covering the unique benefits of the Feather Styling Razor, the different components to the system and which blades you should be using. But first, a little bit of interesting history. Prior to the 1990’s there was no haircutting razor available that had a guard. While that’s difficult to imagine today, at the time, if you wanted to do razor haircutting you had to use a bare blade razor. This was a problem for many hairdressers because they didn’t want to cut themselves or their clients. To say the least, the fear was real. As a consequence, razor haircutting was not popular. Seeing the need in the industry, JATAI and Feather created a new kind of razor in 1992. You guessed it, the Feather Styling Razor was born. A unique and innovative haircutting razor that not only had a guard, but used replaceable blades. It was a never-before-seen product that hairdressers fell in love with. Today, the Feather Styling Razor is the number one haircutting razor in the world. With 30 years of dependability and quality control, the Feather Styling Razor is used all over the world by stylists and even barbers.  

What are the different features of the Feather Styling Razor?

There are several unique features of the Feather Styling Razor. First off, it’s a system. You can’t just have the handle to make it work. You need the blades and the disposal case too. The brilliant no-touch system allows you to easily insert, remove and replace blades without ever touching the blade! For sanitation and safety purposes, it doesn’t get much better than this. You can watch a video here on how to use the no-touch system. Let’s talk about that disposal case for a moment. The Feather Disposal Case is a container with a slot at the top used for removing and disposing used blades. Once a blade becomes dull, you remove the blades with the case. When the case fills up, you can dispose of it properly to keep wildlife safe. Blades are still sharp once they hit the landfill, so it’s important to make sure they stay out of harms way. You can dispose the case at your local pharmacy or sharps recycling center. The handle itself has an ergonomic design. It’s easy to hold and maneuver. The hole at the end is not necessarily to put your finger in. While you can do this, it can be restrictive. So use it or don’t use it, it’s up to you based on your preferences. The head of the razor is made of Japanese stainless steel. It’s designed in a way that holds the blade snug in place. There is no chatter or movement of the blade in the razor head, making it very easy to use the razor. You may notice there are two types of handles. There is the standard handle and then the detail handle. The detail handle is 1” shorter and designed for detailed work such as razor cutting the fringe or small areas that need attention. Finally, the biggest feature of all is the blades. The blades are what do most of the work. Made in Japan, there is an enormous amount of quality control that goes into making the blades in order to ensure the blades are made properly. It’s due to the commitment and attention to detail that Feather has some of the most dependable and consistent blades on the market. They are made of 100% Japanese stainless steel. The blades are extremely sharp so they don’t snag the hair and they last a long time so one blade goes a long way!  

The Feather Styling Razor uses 3 different types of blades. How do I know which blade to use?

The Feather Styling Razor Standard Blades are the most popular and the first blade to be produced. It has a built-in guard and comes in a pack of 10 blades. It’s the most versatile blade and used for everyday razor haircutting. For most, this will be the go-to blade. Check them out here. The Feather Styling Razor Texturizing Blades was the second blade to be produced. It has a unique guard pattern that allows you to cut 25% less hair than the Standard Blades. This blade is useful for razor cutting thin hair or if you want texture but don’t want to take off too much hair. It’s often associated with the red handle but the Texturizing Blade can be used in any Styling Razor handles. You can see them here. The Feather Styling Razor Standard R-Type Blades is the newest of the three. This blade looks similar to the Standard Blades but it has less guard. With 40% more blade exposure, you will cut off a lot more hair so be careful! This blade is best for a razor haircutter who is quite proficient in razor haircutting, wants to razor cut more quickly and wants less resistance in the hair. The more guard there is on the blade, the more resistance there will be. So, the R-Type Blades can be viewed as a stepping stone between a guarded blade and an unguarded blade, giving the most freedom when it comes to razor haircutting. If you’re interested in the R-Type Blades check them out here. The Feather Styling Razor and blade system works. Throughout the years, competitors have tried to come up with their own version of a haircutting razor with a guard. But many blades and handles end up being produced in China. The quality and standards are not as high. They wear out faster and don’t hold up as well. We believe the razor is an extension of your hand. Razors are a tool, that if properly made and handled, you can create beautiful art with them. Like a paintbrush, if your brushes are of quality, your strokes are nice and smooth. Your experience as a painter is more satisfying and fun. And your final artwork becomes a masterpiece. You are going to love razor haircutting. It brings creativity and art to haircutting. Please be sure to check out our JATAI Academy’s Education CONNECT for tons of educational videos on how to use our various razors including the Feather Styling Razor.

Blades. They are a necessity for barbers and hairstylists on a daily basis.  Whether you’re a barber offering shaving services with a Feather Artist Club Razor, or a busy stylist who turns to your Feather Styling Razor or Plier Razor for today’s textured cuts, nothing is worse than running out of blades.  Avoid those last-minute dashes to the beauty supply store with JATAI’s Subscribe & Save Service! Now you can save time AND money by subscribing to JATAI’s blade replenishment service on a variety of Feather Blades.  Automatically save up to 30% on Feather’s top shaving and haircutting blades and never worry about running out of blades again.  Choose between a reoccurring subscription of 3, 6 or 10 packs of blades and the frequency of shipping that best suits your needs: monthly, every 2 months, every 3 months, every 4 months, every 5 months or every 6 months.  You are guaranteed to receive authentic Feather product and can cancel at any time. Plus, every order ships free! Subscription is available for both Feather haircutting and shaving blades including:

• Styling Razor Standard, Standard R Type, and Texturizing Blades
• Plier Razor Blades
• Nape & Body Razor Blades
• Artist Club Professional, Pro Guard, Pro Super, Pro Light, and Pro Soft Blades

    Need help choosing the best type of blade for your shave? Check out this video detailing the four top selling Artist Club Blades: Learn the difference between the three Feather Styling Razor Blades:

Over many years as a stylist, owner and educator, I, Russell Mayes, have gotten a lot of questions about razors and razor cutting from stylists on all levels of experience.  I would like to share the top five current questions I am asked most often – and the answers. For more information, check out the new Razor Fundamentals educational video course now offered on Jatai Academy’s Education Connect. It’s your direct access to the most extensive free online video library currently available to stylists and barbers.

1. Can you use a razor on curly hair?

Yes and no. What type of hair you can use a razor on depends on the cuticle, more than if it’s curly. Some hair textures respond well while others do not. Some cuticle types tend to bristle when cut at an angle and perform better when blunt cut.

2. Does it matter if I use a guard vs. no guard?

The less of a guard you use, the more control you have when cutting. You can be more precise with your shape and texture as well. But a guarded razor will get you 90 per cent more there than a guardless razor would. Once master cutting with a guard, you may find that you want more control, so move to a razor with either less of a guard or no guard at all … the point here is that you don’t have to use one. Insider Tips: For the most guarded, I work with the Feather Styling Razor with Standard Blade. For less guard, I recommend the Feather Styling Razor R-Type Blade. For no guard, I reach for my Feather Plier Razor.

3. How can I prevent losing my shape while razor cutting?

The solidity and bluntness of the shape you cut is determined by the stroke of the blade as you are cutting your sections. The larger the stroke of the blade, the more airy and softer the shape. The tighter or smaller the stroke of the blade, the more solid your final haircut shape will be. Insider Tip: While learning how to control your razor, I suggest beginning with the Feather Styling Razor with Standard Blade. This will help you to prevent over-cutting or cutting too much when you are just getting started since it’s a safer option.

4. Does the razor damage the hair?

This depends on the cuticle texture and the sharpness of your blade, as well as your cutting action. Drier textures of hair don’t respond as well to being cut with a razor. If the blade is dull, this will only cause cuticle damage that could easily have been prevented by using a fresh blade. Also, if your cutting action isn’t positive or determined, you will partially cut strands without cutting them all the way through, which results in a less-than-solid shape. 

5. Do I have to do the entire haircut with a razor?

No, you can do as much or as little as needed, determined by your desired results. You can cut the hair blunt with scissors and then soften up the shape afterward with your razor. You can cut the entire shape with a razor, and then make the perimeter shape more blunt with scissors. Insider Tip:  To soften up the shape after scissor cutting, the Feather Texturizing Blade (fits all Feather Styling Razors) works well. It’s designed to cut hair in small sections to blend and texture hair. Blade changing is easy and safe.

Nestled in the Upper East Side is an esteemed barbershop. Artisan Barber. When clients enter the barbershop they’ll find a welcoming and invigorating environment, curated by some of the best barbers in New York City.   These are barbers who know their trade like the back of their hand; from different cuts and styles to most importantly...tools. Bronx-raised Mike Singh, known as Mike Scissorhands, is one of the talented barbers that this premium barbershop in NYC gets to call their own and as someone who's been in the game for years, he knows exactly which tools are necessary to have in a barber tool kit.   Singh named five essential tools in his tool kit, although amongst the five there is one that stands out the most. The skilled barber can always be found with a five-star shaver, straight razor, thinning shears, 8-inch shears, and most importantly the Feather Razor.   Mike holds the Feather Razor in high esteem because it allows him to put his “unique stamp on a haircut." With the Feather Razor, Singh can texturize hair, remove weight, and sometimes even cut hair with it, ultimately giving the best men's haircut in NYC.   “The Feather Razor is a magical tool, it‘s one of my favorite tools." Singh shares. “Other barbers don't use Feather Razors because it‘s not really in the barber regimen. It’s more on the stylist end of things as far as tools go.”   Singh, one of the best barbers in New York City, typically puts his favorite razor to use when handling longer hair, the aforementioned tool. The thinning shear works perfectly on short hair but doesn't quite do the job for long hair. Feather Razors are more versatile in that they can also be used on shorter hair and still operate seamlessly.   Much like Feather Razors, there aren't too many barbers, at least old-school ones, that use thinning shears today However, Singh is unlike other barbers which are what keeps him and tips like these ahead of the game.   Book with a barber at Artisan Barber now by visiting www.artisanbarber.com