From the beginning, we decided to position Bonika Shears in the market as the shear to reach the average stylist who might work at a chain salon. Although we now carry some high end shears like the Shoto and Cobalt Classic, by and large, most of our shears have been priced in the $150 to $200 range. This left a gap for those who were looking for higher end shears. We think this gap could be filled nicely with the Hanako Shears.
Last Friday, Gene and I had our third meeting with the owners of JP Plan, LLC of Korea at their USA office. Gene's brother Harry from Jacksonville was able to join us. We spent the morning hammering out how we could be of benefit to each other. As a result
we hope to debut the Hanako shears at the upcoming Mid-American Beauty Show in Columbus, OH this week-end and at the Premiere Birmingham Show the following week-end. In addition, we will have them at the Ohio Sharp N Shop. As we proceed, we will have more details about wholesale purchasing.
After our morning meeting and an excellent Italian lunch, we moved on to some advanc
ed sharpening training and critiquing of my sharpening style. I was eager to have a Japanese trained, scissor manufacturer owner give me some one on one instruction. Everyone can learn more. I was asked not to share photos of their sharpening or their technique on line, but I can share some of the suggestions that I received on
my sharpening.
1) Sharpening is mental. Always keep in mind the fragileness of the tip, the radius of the shear (which by the way varies from shear to shear and manufacturer and is often a proprietary secret) as well as the thinness of the edge. (edge size 1 – 5 microns)
2) Sharpening restores shears to 70%. The better the shear, the easier it is to sharpen. However, the manufacture of well made shears is so precise that in-salon sharpening will not completely restore the blade to new condition.
3) I was shown some slightly different techniques for removing the final bur and working on 6” and longer shears as well as an improved hand positioning for holding the clamp.
All in all, I came away feeling even more confident in my sharpening technique. I was told that the order of procedure for sharpening was exactly the same as the steps in shear making at the factory. There were no glaring mistakes, no major changes in my method. I don’t know what I was expecting in our shear sharpening session, but I felt pleased that, according to him, I have not been instructing all of you wrong and that my technique and methods were sound.
In short, I have been very impressed with the JP Plan family and their Hanako shear. I hope that our friendship and association can continue in both a genuine enjoyment of each others company and profit to not only ourselves and JP, but to the sharpeners who decide to add their shears to their repertoire.
Last Friday, Gene and I had our third meeting with the owners of JP Plan, LLC of Korea at their USA office. Gene's brother Harry from Jacksonville was able to join us. We spent the morning hammering out how we could be of benefit to each other. As a result
we hope to debut the Hanako shears at the upcoming Mid-American Beauty Show in Columbus, OH this week-end and at the Premiere Birmingham Show the following week-end. In addition, we will have them at the Ohio Sharp N Shop. As we proceed, we will have more details about wholesale purchasing.After our morning meeting and an excellent Italian lunch, we moved on to some advanc
ed sharpening training and critiquing of my sharpening style. I was eager to have a Japanese trained, scissor manufacturer owner give me some one on one instruction. Everyone can learn more. I was asked not to share photos of their sharpening or their technique on line, but I can share some of the suggestions that I received on
my sharpening.1) Sharpening is mental. Always keep in mind the fragileness of the tip, the radius of the shear (which by the way varies from shear to shear and manufacturer and is often a proprietary secret) as well as the thinness of the edge. (edge size 1 – 5 microns)
2) Sharpening restores shears to 70%. The better the shear, the easier it is to sharpen. However, the manufacture of well made shears is so precise that in-salon sharpening will not completely restore the blade to new condition.
3) I was shown some slightly different techniques for removing the final bur and working on 6” and longer shears as well as an improved hand positioning for holding the clamp.
All in all, I came away feeling even more confident in my sharpening technique. I was told that the order of procedure for sharpening was exactly the same as the steps in shear making at the factory. There were no glaring mistakes, no major changes in my method. I don’t know what I was expecting in our shear sharpening session, but I felt pleased that, according to him, I have not been instructing all of you wrong and that my technique and methods were sound.
In short, I have been very impressed with the JP Plan family and their Hanako shear. I hope that our friendship and association can continue in both a genuine enjoyment of each others company and profit to not only ourselves and JP, but to the sharpeners who decide to add their shears to their repertoire.
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