Snapshot

ZA-18 is Aichi Steel’s refinement of VG-10. By boosting carbon, chromium, molybdenum, and cobalt, the alloy hardens into the low 60s HRC range while retaining stainless reliability. Public sources (Shihan Shears’ material overview, Hasu-Seizo technical summaries, ScissorPedia) describe ZA-18 as a premium “daily driver” steel for stylists who want longer intervals between sharpenings without moving into exotic powder metallurgy.

Sources: Shihan Shears ZA-18 overview; Hasu-Seizo/Aichi technical briefs; ScissorPedia steel entry.

Why stylists choose ZA-18

Longer edge life than VG-10

ZA-18’s enriched carbide structure helps convex edges stay crisp through heavy rotations. Stylists who alternate between blunt foundations, slide work, and colour services report noticeably fewer mid-week drag issues.

Chemical resilience

With higher chromium and cobalt, ZA-18 handles bleach, smoothing treatments, and humidity better than mid-tier stainless steels—useful for Australian salons juggling colour work, smoothing services, and coastal climates.

Familiar maintenance profile

Despite the hardness gain, ZA-18 remains a stainless steel. You can maintain it using the same disciplined wipe-and-oil routine already recommended for VG-10 or ATS-314.

Technique map

Use ZA-18 shears when you need:

• Precision cutting (blunt lines, graduated bobs, perimeter detailing) with minimal resistance.
• Slide and point work that still draws on a polished convex edge without jumping to powder metallurgy prices.
• Chemical-heavy salon schedules where corrosion resistance is non-negotiable.
• Mixed-use thinners/blenders—ZA-18 supports polished teeth for controlled texture on medium-to-coarse hair.

Maintenance expectations (public guidance)

• Daily care: Wipe, dry, and oil pivot points after every client; ZA-18 resists corrosion, but residue can still dull a cobalt-rich edge.
• Tension checks: Keep the drop test neutral; over-tightening can stress the rigid apex.
• Sharpening cadence: Plan specialist convex sharpening roughly every 9–12 months under full-time use (or sooner if you live on dry detailing), aligning with advice from ZA-18 builders such as Shihan Shears.
• Storage: Use padded holsters between clients to avoid tip damage—rolled or chipped edges require skilled restoration.

How it compares

Questions to ask before you buy

1. Are you moving up from VG-10? If yes, ZA-18 provides more bite and longevity without the price jump of powder steels.
2. Do you work with chemicals daily? ZA-18’s higher chromium/cobalt mix is designed for that reality.
3. Is your maintenance routine disciplined? The alloy rewards regular logs and neutral tension; neglect can still shorten edge life.
4. Do you have access to a convex specialist? Ensure your sharpener understands cobalt-enhanced steels and uses cool grinding.
5. Will you rotate tools? Pair ZA-18 cutters with VG-10 or 440C backups for heavy blunt work, keeping the premium edge focused on precision.

Next steps

• Explore ZA-18-equipped shears through the Brands Directory and retailer listings (Shihan, Japan Scissors, JP Scissors).
• Compare with the VG-10 guide, ATS-314 overview, the ATS-314 vs ZA-18 comparison, and the cobalt alloy explainer to plan your upgrade path.
• Align ergonomics and wellness practices via the Stylist Wellness hub and maintain logs through the Maintenance hub.
• If you represent a manufacturer offering ZA-18, share publicly verifiable updates through the contact page.

All information above comes from publicly accessible sources. Always confirm up-to-date specifications with manufacturers or authorised distributors before purchasing.