Which finger/shear position is most commonly used to sculpt graduation from horizontal or diagonal partings?

• A. Parallel
• B. Vertical
• C. Curved
• D. Nonparallel

Answer: (A)

For graduation, the goal is a smooth, even taper in length as you pass along horizontal or diagonal partings. Using a finger/shear position that’s parallel to the parting keeps the blades and fingers aligned with the direction of the cut, so the hair is released at a consistent angle across the section. This parallel setup helps remove weight evenly, producing a gradual decrease in length without creating a heavy line or uneven patches. If you switch to a vertical position, the cut tends to drop more aggressively and can build unwanted weight, while curved or nonparallel positions change the cutting angle and lead to inconsistent graduation. So, maintaining a parallel finger/shear position is the most effective way to sculpt graduation from those partings.