How to Log Shear Maintenance Like a Pro

Why the log matters

Logging maintenance isn’t busywork. It proves warranty compliance, helps factories replicate your preferred tension after servicing, and flags bad habits before they ruin a $1,500 edge. I’ve lost count of the times a sharpened shear came back feeling “off” simply because I couldn’t show the tech what the pivot felt like beforehand. A clean log eliminates that guesswork.

Build the template

Create a spreadsheet (or lift ours—email me and I’ll send it) with the following columns:

Store the sheet in a shared drive (Google Sheets or Notion) so your team can update it in real time. Paper logs get lost; digital logs don’t.

Daily entries (60 seconds)

1. After your last client, wipe, dry, and oil each shear following the daily care checklist.
2. Open the log and note “Clean + oil” with the current date for each pair used.
3. Record incidents immediately—drops, chemical spills, or a client laughing while your shear hit the floor. These notes justify emergency servicing if something feels wrong tomorrow.

Tip: Duplicate yesterday’s row, change the date, and update notes. Speed matters when you’re trying to get home.

Weekly routine (5 minutes on roster change day)

• Run the drop test for every shear. Update the log with “Tension reset” and list the target drop angle (e.g., closes at 45°).
• Inspect screws, bumpers, and finger inserts. Log replacements or tightening.
• Flag any shears that feel draggy—mark “Monitor” in the notes column so you revisit them after the next busy shift.

This rhythm mirrors the cadence we set in our internal strategic blueprint—consistency beats heroics.

Monthly audit (clinic day)

• Deep clean with neutral soap, dry, oil, and polish the ride line. Log as “Deep clean.”
• Count how many service events each shear has had. If a value-tier shear hit two sharpenings in six months, it’s time to budget for a professional-tier upgrade.
• Update “Next due” dates based on your steel: 4–6 months for Mina/Ichiro 440C, 6–9 for VG-10/ATS-314, 9–12 for premium cobalt.
• Attach receipts or technician reports in your shared drive—link them in the notes column.

Sharpening and repairs

When you hand a shear to an authorised tech (see the sharpening guide):

1. Photograph the shear, serial, and condition.
2. Log the send date, technician, and instructions (“Maintain 45° drop, no extra polish on edges”).
3. When it returns, log the arrival date, edge feel, and any changes made.
4. Update “Next due” by counting 6–12 months ahead depending on tier and workload.

Premium brands like Mizutani, Hikari, Fuji MoreZ, and Yamato expect these records if you request factory adjustments.

Team accountability

• Assign each stylist a colour in the log to see who maintains what.
• Review the sheet during monthly toolbox talks. Celebrate low incident counts; address repeat offenders.
• For multi-location salons, duplicate the template per site and roll the data into a master dashboard so you can forecast servicing costs.

Troubleshooting with the log

Use the notes column to tag issues:

• “Drag after colour” → indicates residue; schedule a deep clean and remind the stylist to rinse immediately after chemical services.
• “Edge soft at 4 months” → check technique; maybe that stylist is dry cutting with a shear not designed for it.
• “Serial missing” → triggers an authenticity investigation before the next service cycle.

Next steps

• Download or request the maintenance log template.
• Add your existing shears with their current mileage today.
• Set calendar reminders for weekly and monthly reviews until the routine sticks.
• Share the log with your authorised sharpener—they’ll love you for it.

Keep the log tidy and your shears will outlive the trends. Ignore it and you’ll keep paying to fix avoidable mistakes.