Niwaki Topiary Shears
Japanese Shears

If box clipping and topiary is the game, these are the name (does that work?)

More Information

Lovely, refined shears that are ideal for box clipping, topiary and other delicate jobs. Long blades and slender handles give great balance for detailed work, and the blue paper steel is - and stays - lethally sharp.

As with all Japanese shears, simplicity is the key: wood, steel, a few rivets. That’s it. Keep sharp with our Niwaki Stones. If you do a lot of clipping (not hacking) you’ll love the feel of these, but they are not recommended for hedge work.

Tips

Clean with a Niwaki Clean Mate rust and sap eraser
Sharpen with a Niwaki #1000 grit stone
Protect with Niwaki Camellia Oil
When box clipping, dunk the blades in a weak mix of bleach or Jeyes fluid every so often to sterlise and keep them clean

Short	$194.00
Long	$205.00
No Sheath	+ $0.00
+ Long Leather Sheath	+ $19.50
	exVAT

Delivering to US (Paying in USD) Edit

Please note: By law, we are not permitted to sell a knife or blade to any person under the age of 18. By placing an order for one of these items you are declaring that you are 18 years of age or over. These items must be used responsibly and appropriately.

Niwaki Topiary Shears • Long

2lb 3.3oz
2' 7.8 x 6.9 x 1"
8.8" blades
Aogami Blue Paper Steel
Japanese White Oak handles
Made in Japan
Includes Vinyl Sheath
In Stock - Available to dispatch worldwide, contact us for showroom stock availability

Niwaki Topiary Shears • Short

1lb 14.1oz
1' 10.8 x 5.9 x 0.8"
8.8" blades
Aogami Blue Paper Steel
Japanese White Oak handles
Made in Japan
Includes Vinyl Sheath
Stock Unavailable (estimated dispatch from 13 Feb 2025)

Shear Sheath • Long

5.3oz
1' 1 x 2.9"
3mm Leather
Made in China
In Stock - Available to dispatch worldwide, contact us for showroom stock availability

Global Delivery

Free delivery for orders over £/$/€100*
Price depends on location - adjust the COUNTRY tab in your basket to see the price.
We use DHL, FedEx, or UPS, and we’ll email you the tracking info.

*Customs fees may apply and are estimated during checkout. Surcharges may apply to some larger or heavier items to some areas.
* Please note Niwaki are not responsible for any import duty, taxes or fees incurred and these will be will be collected by our courier during customs clearance — For EU countries, when possible DHL will provide an estimate on the order confirmation page.

Caring For Your Tools

Most of our sharp tools are made from carbon steel - this means they may, through regular use, stain (and eventually rust) and gradually lose their edge. Caring for them involves three things…

1. Correct Use:

Japanese steel is hard and sharp, and can be more brittle than some people are used to - it will chip if abused
Do not cut wire, metal, stone, plastic or any other hard material (even bamboo fibres and some very hard woods, especially knots and burrs, can damage steel edges)
Do not twist or apply uneven pressure
Cut diagonally across branches (not straight across) so you cut along the fibres
Pay attention to our maximum cut dimensions, and don’t overdo it (shears are not loppers)
Use the base of the blades, not the tips, for heavier cuts

2. Keeping Them Clean:

Remove leaf resin, rust and gunk with a Clean Mate and water
Dry, wipe over with Camellia oil and store in a dry place

3. Keeping Them Sharp:

New tools won’t need sharpening for some time, but after a while you’ll notice them gradually lose their edge, especially if you’re box clipping (you need REALLY sharp blades to get a good finish with box). Use the Niwaki Sharpening Stones for best results (#1000 grit is best for general sharpening).

Sharpen Secateurs every couple of weeks
Sharpen Shears and Topiary Clippers EVERY TIME you use them - the difference is amazing

Which Shears?

What you want with a pair of shears is a strong, simple action that doesn’t interfere with the job: whether you’re using them as hedge shears, topiary shears or something more sinister.

The simple answer, if you needed to ask, is the Niwaki Garden Shears: they’re perfect for just about everything - great balance for detailed work, tough enough for thrashing away at a hedge and good quality steel that holds its edge well but is forgiving enough if treated unkindly. BUT, they’re not very long, and if you need extra reach, choose the long version. Great for hedges and large topiary.

If careful clipping is your game, have a look at the Niwaki Topiary Shears. The long, blue steel blades are finer quality and fantastic to use, but you mustn’t use them for heavy duty work, as the steel is too brittle. Bit like taking the jag off-roading. Sharpen these with our Niwaki Stones and the edge you’ll get is amazing.

Finally, the remarkable Tobisho Shears. Rather like Arsenal of late - sublime, on their day (box clipping in June) but laughable on a wet December evening away to Stoke (cutting back an overgrown Laurel hedge.) Nice length, great steel, heavenly balance. Not for everyone, obviously, but try them, and they could well be for you!

One more thing: keep them clean and keep them sharp.