1. Wipe them dry often, and every day or two, put a drop of oil between the blades, near the pivot screw.
2. Store in a leather case, not in plastic. Plastic traps in damaging moisture. Keep away from excessive heat.
3. If the hair folds or the scissors swing open or shut to easily, tighten the tension screw. VERY IMPORTANT! Tension Test: holding the thumb hole, point the scissors straight up. With the other hand, lift the other finger ring to the 3:00 position, and then release it. The scissors should swing shut part way, but stop about 1/2" to 1.5" from the tips. If they close all the way, they need to be tightened.
4. Have them sharpened every 4-8 months. This will remove nicks and damage that will ruin your shears if not taken care of promptly.
5. Is it time to sharpen them? Yes, if they bend, "push" or "catch" on the hair, or if you can see or feel nicks on the cutting edge.
6. Tilt your open shear back and forth in a bright light. A small sparkle on the inside, right at the cutting edge, indicates damage that should be taken care of (Does not apply to thinners and texturizers).