The Eastern Grip method involves holding the shears in an inverse position to the Western method. The shears are gripped with the index finger and thumb in the holes and the
remaining fingers are used to stabilize the shears during use.
Once again, the shears are opened and closed by moving the thumb ONLY.
By holding the shears with the Eastern method, various techniques like slithering and slicing the hair can be done with less wrist strain because the blades are already oriented
in the proper direction for the techniques. It is also useful for performing the point-cutting technique on short hair (namely on the top of the client’s head).
The Eastern grip does take some getting used to, since you are holding your scissors contrary to the way any other scissors you may have used before would be held. But, with time
and patience you can master this method and make use of it to your (and your client’s) benefit.
Some people find that they can perform some techniques much faster using the Eastern grip. Some even prefer it to the traditional Western grip method. (As said before, I use both
for different situations.)
