Zhang Xiaoquan is a historic Chinese manufacturer best known for its scissors, knives, kitchen tools and household hardware. Headquartered in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, the brand traces its origins to a traditional scissors-making business established during the Ming dynasty and has since evolved into a modern consumer-hardware enterprise. Its traditional scissor-forging technique was designated a National Intangible Cultural Heritage of China in 2006.1

Today, the business is operated by Zhang Xiaoquan Co., Ltd., a publicly listed company on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange under the ticker 301055.9 The company positions itself as an integrated enterprise covering design, research and development, manufacturing, sales and services, with a portfolio exceeding 1,000 products across multiple categories.12

The name Zhang Xiaoquan comprises the Chinese surname Zhang (张) and the personal name Xiaoquan (小泉). Unlike many modern commercial brands, it derives from an actual historical craftsman and business lineage.

According to the company’s official history, the business began during the Wanli period of the Ming dynasty when Zhang Sijia established a scissors shop in Yi County, Huizhou, under the name Zhang Dalong. Around 1610, the business relocated to Dajing Lane in Hangzhou. In 1628, Zhang Xiaoquan assumed control from his father and renamed the enterprise Zhang Xiaoquan, partly to distinguish genuine products from counterfeits.2

This history creates a distinction in founding dates often cited for the brand:

• c. 1600: Establishment of the Zhang Dalong scissors business.
• 1628: Adoption of the Zhang Xiaoquan name.
• 1663: Emergence of “Zhang Xiaoquan Jinji” as an authenticated lineage marker.
• 1781: Record of Zhang Xiaoquan scissors being supplied for imperial use.
• 1904: Trademark registration during China’s early trademark era.

While some sources describe the brand as founded in 1663 based on the Jinji lineage, the company’s modern corporate history uses 1628 as the founding date of the Zhang Xiaoquan brand specifically.3

The “Jinji” Lineage Marker

In 1663, Zhang Jinggao added the characters “近记” (Jinji) beneath “张小泉”, creating the name “张小泉近记”. This designation functioned as a mark of authentic lineage at a time when counterfeiting was already a significant challenge for successful traditional businesses. The Jinji mark became synonymous with the genuine Zhang Xiaoquan lineage, explaining why historical artefacts may bear varying names and markings.4

Zhang Xiaoquan developed a strong reputation during the Qing dynasty. Historical accounts state that in 1781, under the Qianlong Emperor, Zhang Xiaoquan scissors were procured as tribute goods for the imperial court, and that the emperor personally inscribed the three characters “张小泉” for the business. This association elevated the brand beyond a local shop to a symbol of Hangzhou craftsmanship and imperial-quality goods.10

The traditional reputation of Zhang Xiaoquan scissors rested on rigorous manufacturing standards involving carefully selected steel, forging, steel insertion, heat treatment, grinding, sharpening, riveting, hand finishing and decorative engraving. Official heritage documentation records 72 distinct production processes in the traditional method, including the forging of steel blades into iron bodies and hand engraving.5

Traditional product characteristics included even steel construction, clearly differentiated steel and iron, fine grinding, sharp edges, strong rivets, smooth operation, refined shapes, durability and value. Heritage records identify specific traditional varieties such as 信花, 山郎, 五虎, 圆头 and 长头.

Brand Philosophy

The phrase “良钢精作” (fine steel, finely crafted) is central to the brand’s identity, asserting that quality materials must be matched by superior craftsmanship. The contemporary philosophy expands this to “良钢精作，匠心铸美” (fine steel, refined craftsmanship; craftsmanship creates beauty), positioning the company as a modern brand rooted in traditional craft values.11

Anti-Counterfeiting Measures

Brand protection has been a concern for Zhang Xiaoquan for over a century. In 1890, Sun Shi, mother of Zhang Yongnian, appealed to local authorities regarding counterfeit products. The magistrate subsequently ordered against unauthorised use of the name and erected a stone inscription reading “永禁冒用” (Forever prohibit unauthorized use), demonstrating early formal recognition of the brand’s intellectual property rights.6

Trademark History

Zhang Xiaoquan registered a trademark in 1904 during China’s early modern trademark-registration era, making it one of the country’s earliest registered trademarks. In 1909, the business adopted the “Sea Clouds and Rising Sun” design, replacing an earlier six-sided mark. This evolution reflects the brand’s transition from traditional craftsmanship to modern intellectual property management.

International Recognition

The brand gained international exposure at the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco. While historical summaries commonly describe the award as a Silver Medal, current corporate materials refer to it as a “grand prize”. Regardless of terminology, this event marked a significant milestone in establishing Zhang Xiaoquan’s credentials in international industrial and commercial circles.

Following the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, the traditional handicraft industry was reorganised. By the post-1949 period, Zhang Xiaoquan had developed into a leading enterprise in China’s knives-and-scissors industry.7 The year 1956 was particularly significant, as the brand’s traditional scissors were highlighted during the socialist transformation of handicraft industries, leading to modernisation and reconstruction that transformed the business from a traditional workshop into an industrial manufacturer.

Modern Restructuring

The contemporary organisation underwent several key structural changes:

• 2000: Transitioned from a state-owned enterprise to a limited-liability structure with diversified investment.8
• 2007: Forchn Holding Group entered into an equity capital-increase agreement, marking further restructuring.
• 2014: Historical disputes between Hangzhou Zhang Xiaoquan and Shanghai Zhang Xiaoquan were resolved, unifying the businesses under one corporate family.
• 2018: Completion of shareholding-system reform in preparation for public listing.

Public Listing

In 2021, Zhang Xiaoquan Co., Ltd. completed its A-share IPO on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange’s ChiNext market under stock code 301055. The company describes this as becoming the first listed entity in China’s knives-and-scissors sector, marking its transformation from a traditional time-honoured brand to a publicly traded consumer-manufacturing company.9

Zhang Xiaoquan holds two major cultural distinctions:

1. National Intangible Cultural Heritage: In 2006, the Zhang Xiaoquan Scissor Forging Technique (Project No. Ⅷ-38) was included in the first batch of China’s National Intangible Cultural Heritage list under the Traditional Skills category. The protective organisation is Hangzhou Zhang Xiaoquan Group Co., Ltd.10
2. China Time-Honored Brand (中华老字号): The brand is recognised by the Ministry of Commerce as belonging to the earliest group of national brands with long commercial and cultural histories.11

These designations distinguish the brand from generic manufacturers by formally recognising both its commercial heritage and its specific craft traditions.

Product Portfolio

The modern product range extends well beyond scissors to include:12

• Scissors: Household, kitchen, tailoring, hairdressing, industrial, gardening and specialised varieties.
• Knives: Kitchen knives, chef’s knives, Chinese-style cleavers, household knives and sets.
• Kitchen Hardware: Cutting boards, utensils, accessories and food-preparation tools.
• Household Hardware: Various utility tools.
• Gardening: Pruning scissors, tools and agricultural products.
• Cultural Products: Gift items and cultural-creative goods.

Intelligent Manufacturing

A key component of the company’s modernisation strategy is the Yangjiang Knife & Scissors Intelligent Manufacturing Centre in Guangdong. Established in Jiangcheng District, Yangjiang, the facility covers approximately 86,000 m² with investment exceeding RMB 350 million. Completed in 2021, it features intelligent production equipment, R&D and testing facilities, and automated systems, with an annual production capacity target exceeding 30 million pieces. This facility exemplifies the company’s strategy of maintaining traditional brand equity while achieving modern industrial scale.

Zhang Xiaoquan occupies a distinctive position in the consumer market, combining attributes of a heritage craft brand with those of a modern listed manufacturer. For consumers, the name carries associations with traditional craftsmanship, Hangzhou heritage, durability and multi-generational reliability. The brand’s marketing leverages this heritage to communicate a broader concept of Chinese craftsmanship, as emphasised in its 2023 brand refresh.

Unlike generic manufacturers competing primarily on price and specifications, Zhang Xiaoquan competes through historical brand equity combined with modern manufacturing capabilities. This positioning is comparable to other long-established heritage manufacturers globally, albeit within a distinct Chinese cultural context.

Internationally, the company serves both domestic and overseas markets. Products have been sold in Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.13 This presence is particularly relevant in Southeast Asia, where Chinese household brands maintain longstanding cultural and commercial connections.

1. 张小泉简介
2. 张小泉简介
3. 张小泉股份公司
4. 张小泉股份公司
5. 张小泉股份公司
6. Zhang Xiaoquan Inc. Reports Earnings Results for the Full Year Ended December 31, 2025 | MarketScreener
7. Zhang Xiaoquan Inc.: Governance, Directors and Executives & Committees – MarketScreener
8. 张小泉(301055)_公司公告_张小泉：2025年半年度报告新浪财经_新浪网
9. 张小泉股份公司
10. Top 10 time-honored Chinese brands – China.org.cn
11. The art of Zhang Xiaoquan scissors — china.org.cn
12. 张小泉股份公司
13. About Us | ZHANGXIAOQUAN AU Official Site