What is torquing my shears mean and why is it a bad thing?

Why Torquing Your Shears Is One of the Fastest Ways to Ruin Them

Stylists and groomers in the Fargo-Moorhead area rely on their shears every day, and when something suddenly feels off—folding, snagging, pushing—it’s natural to assume the tension screw needs a quick twist. That twist is what many people call torquing your shears, and it’s one of the most damaging things you can do to a professional pair of shears.

Most shears don’t fail because they’re dull. They fail because the tension system has been torqued out of alignment.

What Torquing Really Does to Your Shears

Torquing happens when someone tightens or loosens the pivot screw with too much force or without understanding how the shear is engineered. Even a tiny amount of incorrect torque can throw off the entire cutting system.

The damage shows up in several ways:

• Blade misalignment — The edges stop meeting correctly, causing folding and pushing.
• Washer and pivot damage — Modern shears use delicate washers, spring plates, or bearings that crush easily.
• Accelerated dulling — Incorrect tension forces the edges to grind against each other.
• Hand fatigue — Too-tight shears strain your thumb and wrist; too-loose shears make you overcompensate.
• Voided warranties — Many brands consider improper tension adjustment “user damage.”

Once the pivot system is compromised, sharpening alone won’t fix the problem. The shear has to be realigned and reset.

Why This Matters for Stylists and Groomers

Your shears are precision tools. They’re designed to cut with minimal effort, protect your hands, and last for years. Torquing the screw disrupts all of that.

Stylists often tell me, “These shears used to cut great—now they fold everything.”
Nine times out of ten, the issue isn’t dullness. It’s tension damage.

When the tension is wrong:

• You work harder
• Your cuts aren’t clean
• Your edges wear out faster
• Your hands take the abuse

A $300 shear can start performing like a $30 shear overnight.

How a Professional Adjusts Tension (and Why It Matters)

At Sharply‑Done, tension adjustment is part of every sharpening service. It’s not just “tightening the screw.” It includes:

• Checking blade alignment
• Inspecting the ride line
• Resetting the pivot system
• Adjusting tension to the manufacturer’s design
• Testing the cut on multiple materials

This restores the shear to the way it was engineered to perform—not just “good enough,” but factory-correct.

A Safe Way to Check Tension Without Torquing

Stylists can safely check tension using the drop test:

1. Hold the shears by the thumb ring.
2. Lift the finger blade to 90 degrees.
3. Let it fall freely.

A properly adjusted shear should close about two-thirds of the way.
If it slams shut or barely moves, the tension is off—but resist the urge to torque it. That’s the moment to call your sharpener.

Serving Stylists and Groomers in Fargo-Moorhead

If your shears are folding, pushing, or just not cutting like they used to, improper tension may be the real issue. I service salons and grooming shops throughout the Fargo-Moorhead area, and we see this problem every week.

A quick professional adjustment can save your shears, your hands, and your cutting performance.