Hey
I'm Matt
I'm Matt
Twenty five years behind the chair with stock scissors drove me to become a Bladesmith
I spent years trusting other people to sharpen my tools, and I’d get back blades that felt a bit off. So I stopped searching and learned the craft myself.
Now I sharpen every pair the way I wish someone had sharpened mine, tuned to the stylist and not just the steel.
I’m the only bladesmith in Australia with a real background in hairdressing and that matters. I started cutting hair in Melbourne in 1982 and spent nearly 25 years behind the chair. I’ve owned salons, led teams, and worked the floor day in and day out. I know how scissors should feel, balanced, responsive, part of your craft.
What sets me apart isn’t just what I sharpen with, it’s how. I use a rare method involving four traditional Japanese stones combined with precision machinery most sharpeners don’t have to recreate a factory-quality and factory-approved edge.
Anyone can learn to sharpen scissors but not everyone has stood behind the chair. I have. That’s why stylists trust me with their tools.
I’ve always found it curious how someone who’s never worked behind the chair can feel confident recommending scissors to a stylist or advising how they should be sharpened. That’s something I’ve learned from being on both sides of the blades.
Now I sharpen every pair the way I wish someone had sharpened mine, tuned to the stylist and not just the steel.
I’m the only bladesmith in Australia with a real background in hairdressing and that matters. I started cutting hair in Melbourne in 1982 and spent nearly 25 years behind the chair. I’ve owned salons, led teams, and worked the floor day in and day out. I know how scissors should feel, balanced, responsive, part of your craft.
What sets me apart isn’t just what I sharpen with, it’s how. I use a rare method involving four traditional Japanese stones combined with precision machinery most sharpeners don’t have to recreate a factory-quality and factory-approved edge.
Anyone can learn to sharpen scissors but not everyone has stood behind the chair. I have. That’s why stylists trust me with their tools.
I’ve always found it curious how someone who’s never worked behind the chair can feel confident recommending scissors to a stylist or advising how they should be sharpened. That’s something I’ve learned from being on both sides of the blades.
What's Different Here
On-site Sharpening
My service van and I come to you - because time behind the chair matters - No downtime or weeks without your scissors.
Edge Consult
Not all edges are created equal - lets tailor yours - Personalised advice based on your cutting style.
Loaner Scissors
We’ve got you covered when your blades need a break - Free ‘paired’ loaner scissors to keep your day flowing.
Same-day Return
No down time - Scissors are returned same-day, ready for action - No living without scissors for two weeks across the Nullarbor.
Salons Who ❤️
We highly recommend Matt for any scissor education needs. His expertise, coupled with his ability to connect with and educate others, makes him an invaluable resource for any salon or academy. We highly recommend Matt for any scissor education needs. His expertise, coupled with his ability to connect with and educate others, makes him an invaluable resource for any salon or academy.
We just wanted to say thank you for sharpening our scissors yesterday. It's the best scissor sharpening I've had done for 10 years.
"Always so grateful to Matt from Scissor Excellence. His response to our team's requests are always prompt and his work is ultra professional. Our busy team never
misses a beat with Matt looking after them, and they have their own scissors back in within the hour every time. Thank you, Matt."
misses a beat with Matt looking after them, and they have their own scissors back in within the hour every time. Thank you, Matt."
We can't say enough about Matt's amazing scissor services at Scissor Excellence! All 35 of our staff members rely on him for scissor sharpening and new scissor purchases. His attention to detail and personalised recommendations have elevated our work to a whole new level. Matt's expertise, coupled with his friendly approach, makes Scissor Excellence our go-to for all scissor needs. Highly recommended!
I have been using Matt for many years to sharpen my scissors. Matt's knowledge of scissors is the best in the business. He has never let me or my staff down and his eye for detail is incredible.
Matt knows the lingo, he's been in the trenches and knows what's best. Highly recommend him for all your sharpening & hairdressing recommendations!
We have used Matt for our scissors for many years and we would not trust our scissor care to anyone else. His sharpening and scissor sale recommendations can only be developed over years of experience. His knowledge as an ex hairdresser and cutting techniques combined with his expertise as a blacksmith is unsurpassed in Australia.Highly recommended.
Matt is the best scissor sharpener in town! He does a great job with our scissors, making them better than new and takes off minimal steel!
David Aquilia salons
David Aquilia salons
We just wanted to say thank you for sharpening our scissors yesterday. It's the best scissor sharpening I've had done for 10 years.
Ways I Custom Your Edge
Each edge delivers differently - choosing the right one means better technique, cleaner results, and longer tool life.
- Maintain Factory Edge
Ideal for:
Stylists who want a clean, trusted reset - no surprises, no changes.
Existing uses:
Whatever the scissor was designed for - we preserve that. Precision, blunt, slide, or slice - untouched and just like new.
Expanded benefits:
- Keeps original edge geometry intact.
- Supports consistency in cutting results.
Choose this factory edge if you:
- Want your scissors returned exactly as they were.
- Don’t want edge modification or customization.
- Rely on muscle memory and technique tied to your current edge.
- Clamshell Edge
Ideal for:
Precision and creative cutting.
Existing uses:
Slicing, point cutting, texturizing.
Expanded techniques:
- Slide cutting (for dry cutting long layers or face framing).
- Deep point cutting (for weight removal in thick sections).
- Feathering ends (on dry, fine hair for light diffusion).
Choose this edge if you:
- Specializes in precision, dry cutting, and softness.
- Wants a buttery glide feel through hair.
- Is focused on creative finishes and needs ultra-sharp performance.
- Bevel EdgeIdeal for:
Robust daily work.
Existing uses:
Straight blunt cut, scissor-over-comb, your workhorse.
Expanded techniques:- Graduation cuts (like bobs, lobs, and angled cuts).
- Blunt perimeter cutting (solid base lines).
- Basic layering (wet cutting with tension).
Choose this edge if you:- Need durability over finesse.
- Cut a lot of thick or resistant textures.
- Prefer a blade that won’t dull quickly, especially with wet or product-filled hair.
- Serrated EdgeIdeal for:
Grip and control on slippery or resistant hair.
Existing uses:
Crisp blunt lines, coarse hair, barbering, scissor-over-comb, mannequin hair.
Expanded techniques:- Hairline and fringe detailing for non-slip cuts.
- Short men's cuts or clipper/scissor hybrids.
- Synthetic, wig, extension or mannequin hair.
Choose this edge if you:- Need maximum control on coarse, thick, or slippery hair.
- Often cut wigs, mannequins, or synthetic extensions.
- Want a non-slip grip blade for ultra-straight lines.
How It Works
Book & I Swing By
Call, text or message. I’ll drop by your salon - (no to-and-fro), no drama.
Call, text or message. I’ll drop by your salon - (no to-and-fro), no drama.
Edge Consult & Technique Match
We assess how you cut, what you want - factory restore or custom edge, sorted in under 3 minutes. - whether you're slicing, chipping, blunt-cutting, or blending, etc.
We assess how you cut, what you want - factory restore or custom edge, sorted in under 3 minutes. - whether you're slicing, chipping, blunt-cutting, or blending, etc.
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Scissor Swap
We take your scissors and leave a loaner pair that pair with your blades. You keep working - no down time.
We take your scissors and leave a loaner pair that pair with your blades. You keep working - no down time.
Same-Day Return
Your scissors, back in hand - sharper than ever and perfectly tuned to your technique. Guaranteed - my promise.
Your scissors, back in hand - sharper than ever and perfectly tuned to your technique. Guaranteed - my promise.
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Trusted Service Provider To
FAQ's
Absolutely. One dodgy sharpener and your $600 pair can go from hero to hedge clippers in a single session. Too much steel off? Gone. Wrong angles? Botched. No idea how stylists actually cut? Classic. It’s like letting Mister Minit fix your scissors and hoping for the best. Game over.
- They’re blunt. A dull edge can’t grip or slice cleanly.
- Tension is off. If it’s too loose or too tight, the blades won’t meet properly. ([Adjust here])
- Wrong scissors for the job. Slicing scissors (like those with a clamshell edge) aren’t built for all-day, everyday cutting - they’ll push hair when overworked.
- They’re blunt. The edge has dulled, so instead of slicing cleanly, the hair folds.
- Tension’s too loose. If the blades aren’t held together tightly enough, they won’t cut cleanly - especially on dry or fine hair.
- Sometimes it’s one, sometimes it’s both. Either way, your scissors need a little love.
If your scissors are pushing, folding, snagging, tugging, or making a crunching noise, they’re telling you something. Sometimes it’s not a full sharpen they need - just a tune-up (like tension adjustment or ride line polish).
If you’re using more pressure to get a clean cut, or they just don’t feel like they did when they were new - trust that feeling.
And if you’re even asking the question... you probably already know the answer.
If you’re using more pressure to get a clean cut, or they just don’t feel like they did when they were new - trust that feeling.
And if you’re even asking the question... you probably already know the answer.
Not necessarily. A drop can throw off the tension, nick the edge, or knock the blades out of alignment - but that doesn’t always mean they’re done for.
- Stop cutting with them. (That’s what does the real damage).
- Call me.
- I’ll give you a loaner pair while we assess the sitch.
It depends on how often you use them and how well you maintain them.
Single pair for all cutting: Every 6 months
Rotate between multiple pairs: Every 12–18 months.
Single pair for all cutting: Every 6 months
Rotate between multiple pairs: Every 12–18 months.
Poor sharpening. Low-quality work or misaligned edges can ruin your scissors fast.
Lack of maintenance. Dirty, dry, or neglected scissors will wear down quicker.
Wrong tool for the job. Using the same pair for every cutting technique - or using delicate slicers for heavy-duty cutting - will dull the edge in no time.
Treat your tools right, and they’ll return the favor.
Lack of maintenance. Dirty, dry, or neglected scissors will wear down quicker.
Wrong tool for the job. Using the same pair for every cutting technique - or using delicate slicers for heavy-duty cutting - will dull the edge in no time.
Treat your tools right, and they’ll return the favor.
Yes. Salon & Multi-Pair Offer: If you’re a salon with multiple stylists—or a stylist with multiple pairs—we offer a discount. Each additional pair is reduced from $65 to $60 per pair (+GST).
$65 (+GST) per pair. Every service includes:
- A stylist-to-stylist consult to confirm what you want - Whether that’s a precision factory-spec restore or a custom edge tuned to your cutting style (Clamshell, Bevel, etc.)
- Sharpening that respects the original edge angle - or adapts it, if requested
- Tension adjustment to factory specs
- Ride line restoration (for convex/Japanese-style scissors)
- Polish and balance check
- Final test on hair to ensure performance true to your intent
Nope. It’s less about your hand size and more about your cutting technique and the type of work you do. Choose your scissor length based on how you cut - not how big your hands are.
Absolutely. A quality edge and skilled sharpener can give your scissors dozens of sharpens. Poor sharpening shortens the life - not cutting.
Not with an on-site service like mine. I come to your salon, assess your edge, and either sharpen on the spot or swap them for a loaner pair - same-day return.
It depends on your specialty, the hair types you work with, and how often you cut. But here’s the short of it: at least three. Using different scissors for different techniques not only improves performance - it spreads the load, extends each pair’s lifespan, and cuts down on sharpening costs. Overworking one pair will cost you more in the long run… or worse, lead to early replacement.
Here’s the short answer: Three at least.
1x Bevel Edge: For blunt cutting, precision lines, scissor-over-comb
1x Clamshell Edge (Convex): For slicing, dry cutting, point cutting, texturizing
1x Texturizing/Thinner: For weight removal, blending, and softening lines.
Here’s the short answer: Three at least.
1x Bevel Edge: For blunt cutting, precision lines, scissor-over-comb
1x Clamshell Edge (Convex): For slicing, dry cutting, point cutting, texturizing
1x Texturizing/Thinner: For weight removal, blending, and softening lines.
Let’s take a closer look - because there’s usually more to the story.
First, I personally save 6 out of every 10 pairs that were written off as "end of life" by other sharpeners.
Here’s why that happens:
A. Some sharpeners also sell scissors, so recommending a replacement benefits their bottom line.
B. That’s not our game. Our core business is caring for the tools you already own and extending their lifespan, not selling you a new pair.
C. If I truly can’t bring your scissors back to life - due to corrosion, damage, or age-related wear - then we’ll talk about a replacement.
But honestly? It’s rare that we can’t restore that factory edge.
First, I personally save 6 out of every 10 pairs that were written off as "end of life" by other sharpeners.
Here’s why that happens:
A. Some sharpeners also sell scissors, so recommending a replacement benefits their bottom line.
B. That’s not our game. Our core business is caring for the tools you already own and extending their lifespan, not selling you a new pair.
C. If I truly can’t bring your scissors back to life - due to corrosion, damage, or age-related wear - then we’ll talk about a replacement.
But honestly? It’s rare that we can’t restore that factory edge.
When properly serviced to strict factory specs, your scissors can last 20 to 25 years - seriously. That’s not hype, that’s fact. Normal wear and tear won’t kill them, but neglect and improper sharpening will.
Chances are the sharpener didn’t follow factory specs. A proper service should always include restoring the ride line - no exceptions. They likely skipped it. The ride line is the polished inner edge on Japanese-style scissors that allows the blades to glide smoothly. Without it, you’re left with metal-on-metal contact, which makes the scissors feel crunchy, grabby, and anything but smooth.
Yes! And not only that - we often fix left-handed scissors that have been improperly sharpened by others. If you've struggled to find someone who gets it right, you're in the right place.
