A specialized grooming scissor with one blade that has teeth cut into it, used to remove bulk from the coat and blend between different lengths without leaving visible scissor lines. Unlike straight shears, thinning shears take out a percentage of the hair with each cut rather than all of it, creating a natural, textured finish.
Thinning shears are essential for blending clipper lines into hand-scissored areas, reducing bulk on thick coats, and creating natural transitions in breed-specific trims. They are especially important for breeds that require feathering effects, like Cocker Spaniels, and for softening the edges of double-coated breeds.
Never use thinning shears on wet hair — they slip through without cutting properly and can create uneven texture. Work on a completely dry coat, making cuts in the direction of hair growth for the most natural result.