The Right Way to Hold Shears: Why Only the Tip of Your Thumb Matters

Have you ever noticed how your shears sometimes feel stiff, or your hand starts to ache halfway through a haircut? Chances are, it’s not your shears—it’s your thumb.

Most stylists make one simple but costly mistake: pushing their thumb all the way through the thumb hole. It seems harmless, but doing so limits your control, strains your hand, and can actually make your shears feel dull even when they’re sharp.

When your thumb goes too deep, you end up moving the whole hand instead of just your thumb joint. This causes tension in the wrist and elbow and makes your cutting motion choppy. The correct placement is simple—just the tip of your thumb should rest inside the thumb hole. That small adjustment keeps your motion light and fluid, letting the blades glide naturally the way they were designed to.

Think of it like driving with a firm but gentle grip. Too tight and you lose the smoothness. Too loose and you lose control. Finding that balance starts with your thumb.

When I teach sharpening and cutting classes, I often remind stylists: your thumb controls the cut, not the whole hand. Once they adjust their grip, the difference is immediate—the shear feels balanced, the motion is smoother, and fatigue disappears.

Watch the short video below to see exactly how it should look in action:

If your shears still feel stiff after trying this, it might be time for a tune-up or adjustment. Bring them by our booth, or visit Bonika.com for sharpening, training, and professional shears that make cutting easier on your hands and better for your clients.