Premium Materials
The Right Steel. Precisely Chosen.
Exceptional scissors begin with exceptional material selection.
At William Rado, we work with a carefully selected range of stainless steels, each chosen according to the characteristics required from the finished product. From premium Japanese steels designed for refined professional cutting to versatile stainless steels used throughout our everyday and industrial ranges, every grade has its own purpose.
Our manufacturing process then brings these materials to life through precision forming, controlled heat treatment where applicable, tempering and finishing — developing the characteristics required for dependable cutting tools.
01 — Japanese VG10
Premium Japanese Steel
VG10 is a premium Japanese stainless steel valued for its excellent edge retention, corrosion resistance and refined cutting characteristics.
Its ability to maintain a sharp, precise edge makes it a distinguished choice for high-performance cutting tools where precision and longevity matter.
Key Benefits
* Exceptional edge retention
* Premium Japanese steel
* Excellent corrosion resistance
* Refined cutting performance
* Long-lasting edge characteristics
02 — Japanese 440C
High-Performance Stainless Steel
440C is a high-carbon martensitic stainless steel recognized for its combination of hardness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance.
It is a well-established high-performance steel for cutting applications where a strong, wear-resistant edge is important.
Key Benefits
* High hardness
* Excellent wear resistance
* Strong cutting edge
* Good corrosion resistance
* High-performance material
03 — 9Cr Stainless Steel
High Hardness. Precision Cutting.
Our 9Cr stainless steel is selected for applications where hardness and edge performance are important. Its characteristics make it well suited to cutting tools that require a refined edge and resistance to wear through repeated use.
We retain the 9Cr designation rather than assigning an unverified international equivalent, ensuring the specification presented is true to the material used.
Key Benefits
* High hardness
* Strong edge characteristics
* Good wear resistance
* Suitable for precision cutting
* Consistent cutting performance
04 — 6Cr Stainless Steel
Balanced for Everyday Performance
6Cr stainless steel offers a balanced combination of strength, hardness and corrosion resistance, making it a versatile material for dependable cutting tools.
Rather than positioning it through a forced equivalent grade, we focus on the characteristics that matter in the finished product — practical performance, consistent cutting and suitability for regular use.
Key Benefits
* Balanced material properties
* Good strength
* Good hardness
* Corrosion resistant
* Versatile performance
05 — 4Cr Stainless Steel
Practical. Versatile. Dependable.
4Cr stainless steel provides a practical balance of hardness, strength and corrosion resistance.
Its versatility makes it well suited to a broad range of cutting tools where dependable everyday performance is the priority.
Key Benefits
* Good hardness
* Balanced strength
* Corrosion resistant
* Versatile material
* Dependable everyday performance
06 — 420 Stainless Steel
Professional-Grade Martensitic Stainless Steel
420 is a well-established martensitic stainless steel used in cutting tools and other applications where hardness, strength and corrosion resistance are important.
The grade responds well to hardening and tempering, allowing its properties to be developed through appropriate heat treatment. Jindal Stainless lists 420J1 and 420J2 within its martensitic stainless range and notes their use in applications including cutlery. (Jindal Stainless)
Key Benefits
* Professional-grade material
* Heat treatable
* Good hardness
* Strong and durable
* Good corrosion resistance
07 — 409 Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel Built Around Practical Performance
409 stainless steel is a ferritic stainless grade known for its practical combination of corrosion resistance, formability and durability.
For our products using this material, the focus is on developing a finished tool that delivers dependable performance through careful manufacturing, forming and finishing.
Key Benefits
* Corrosion resistant
* Practical and durable
* Good formability
* Reliable material characteristics
* Suitable for purpose-driven applications
08 — 3Cr13 Stainless Steel
Versatile 420-Family Stainless Steel
3Cr13 is a versatile stainless steel from the 420 family, commonly associated with the 420/420J2 group of martensitic stainless steels.
It offers a well-rounded combination of hardness, cutting ability and corrosion resistance, making it an excellent all-purpose material across a broad range of scissors.
For general-purpose products, the strength of 3Cr13 lies in its versatility — providing the practical balance required for repeated everyday use without compromising the functionality expected from a quality cutting tool.
Key Benefits
* 420-family stainless steel
* Good hardness
* Good cutting characteristics
* Corrosion resistant
* Versatile across applications
* Well suited to everyday use
Engineered Beyond The Material
Selected With Purpose
Different cutting applications demand different material characteristics. We select each steel according to the requirements of the finished product.
Precision Manufacturing
Steel selection is only the beginning. Precision forming, grinding, finishing and assembly help transform each grade into a finished cutting tool.
Heat Treatment & Tempering
Where applicable, controlled heat treatment and tempering are used to develop the required balance of hardness, toughness and service performance.
Finished for Performance
From professional barber scissors and personal grooming tools to office, stationery, household, tailoring and industrial scissors, every William Rado product is developed around the demands of its intended application.