Lufeng Scissors

Lufeng Scissors

　　Lufeng Scissors are a well-known local household hardware product from Yunnan Province, produced in Lufeng County, Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture, with a history of over a hundred years.

　　Legend has it that Lufeng Scissors were first made after artisans from Sichuan Province brought their techniques to the area. Over the years, local craftsmen have honed their skills through long-term production, creating distinctive and superior workmanship. This has led to continuous improvements in quality, earning the scissors widespread acclaim throughout the province. Thanks to strict material selection and meticulous craftsmanship, Lufeng Scissors are known for their solid steel construction, sharp blades, elegant designs, diverse specifications, ease of use, and exceptional durability. They are sold both within and beyond the province and are beloved by people of all ethnicities. After the liberation, a dedicated factory was established in Lufeng County to produce this traditional product. In recent years, Lufeng Scissors have seen further development.

　　 During the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican period, Lufeng Scissors gained considerable fame as a local industrial product in Yunnan. Their founder was the renowned blacksmith Hu You.

　　 　　In the ninth year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty (1883), Shi Jiongqing, a native of Luding Street in Huili, Sichuan, came to Yunnan and began forging black sand scissors—also known as "plain-handle scissors" (named for their untreated iron appearance)—in Yaozhan, Lufeng. His craftsmanship was solid, and business was good. Hu You, impressed by his skills, apprenticed under him and mastered the craft. Determined to carry on and elevate his master’s artistry, in 1913, Hu You, along with other disciples of Shi Jiongqing—Chen Huazhai and Li Zixian—took over the "plain-handle scissors" trade. Before long, they improved the production process by refining the plain-handle scissors into polished-handle scissors, greatly enhancing their quality. Their clientele gradually expanded to many towns across central Yunnan. The name "Lufeng Scissors" began to spread.

　　 　　Later, Hu You opened a scissors shop called "Hu Ji" in Lufeng County’s urban area. He continuously conducted new experiments and, after several rounds of refinement, further advanced the craft. By carefully selecting materials, he pioneered the production of "patterned-handle scissors." These scissors were made using patterned iron from Yimen, forged and drawn into shape, then fitted with blade edges made from imported British steel—resulting in blades that were hard yet not brittle, and sharp without curling. Each pair of scissors made by Hu You bore the inscriptions "Yunnan" and "Hu Ji," along with engravings of patterns such as phoenixes and green dragons. As a result, customers affectionately referred to them as "Phoenix Scissors," "Twin Phoenixes Facing the Sun," and "Two Dragons Battling for a Treasure." Among Yunnan’s scissors makers at the time, Hu Ji Scissors stood out for their elegant and sturdy design, sharpness, durability, and wide variety—including plain-handle scissors, patterned-handle scissors, as well as specialized types such as tailor’s scissors, lamp wick scissors, horse mane scissors, and barber scissors. The plain-handle scissors featured a curved handle, with the scissor frame shaped like a gourd that resembled a frog when placed on a table. The patterned-handle scissors had ornamental beads on the handles, exquisitely crafted, and produced a crisp sound when cutting. In terms of business integrity, Hu Ji Scissors earned popularity due to their guarantee of free repairs or replacements and fair treatment of all customers, regardless of age. In western Yunnan, caravans frequently came in batches to purchase them, helping the market continue to expand.

　　 　　In the 12th year of the Republic of China (1923), during the Yunnan Provincial Product Exposition held in Kunming by Governor Tang Jiyao, "Hu Ji" Scissors were awarded first place, receiving certificates and medals. From then on, Lufeng Scissors gained fame across all of Yunnan, and Hu You was recognized as a master scissors craftsman. The patterned-handle scissors he created were later replicated and popularized by the Wu Qinghe brothers, bringing them great success—leading to the saying, "Hu’s design, Wu’s craftsmanship."