for cutting hair or to cut hair?

[optimistic pessimist]

Hi all,

1. I'm looking for a pair of scissors for cutting hair.

2. I'm looking for a pair of scissors to cut hair.

Which do you think sounds better, for cutting hair or to cut hair?

OP

 

[GoesStation]

I'd use ​for cutting.

 

[emsr2d2]

I don't really like either of them. If you want scissors that are specifically made for that purpose, use:

I'm looking for a pair of hair scissors.
I'm looking for a pair of hairdressing scissors.

If you want any type of scissors because you're not really bothered about wrecking the hair, use:

I'm looking for a pair of scissors so I can cut my son's hair.
I'm looking for a pair of scissors because I want/need to cut my sister's hair.

 

[SoothingDave]

"For cutting hair" implies that they were made for that purpose.

Nowadays, we may be forced to look for the kitchen scissors to cut our own hair.

 

[jutfrank]

I think you can understand the difference like this:

I'm looking for a pair of scissors for cutting hair.
I'm looking for a pair of scissors to cut hair.

The blue highlighting of the noun phrases is meant to show that in the first, the scissors are specially designed for cutting hair whereas in the second, they are normal scissors, and my intention is to cut hair with them.

However, I don't think a person is likely to say either of these sentences. For better suggestions, see post #3.

 

[Tdol]

I don't really like either of them. If you want scissors that are specifically made for that purpose, use:

I'm looking for a pair of hair scissors.
I'm looking for a pair of hairdressing scissors.

Or barber's/hairdresser's scissors

 

[GoesStation]

Or barber's/hairdresser's scissors

More commonly, or at least precisely, referred to as barber shears.