Shop Online • London Showroom • HQ Showroom

  1. Crean Mate
  1. Crean Mate
  2. Crean Mate
  3. Crean Mate
  1. Crean Mate
  2. Crean Mate
  3. Crean Mate

Crean Mate
Rust Eraser & Tool Cleaner

Incredibly useful for cleaning up secateurs, shears and knives, removing rust and grime.

More Information

This is a fab little scouring block for cleaning resin, rust and other gunks from blades. Add a few drops of Camellia Oil to the blade (or water works fine, but you ought to oil later anyway) then use the Crean Mate as you would a rubber. It has a fairly rough texture and might scratch polished surfaces, so we suggest testing before use on prize blades.

Options
$16.50
exVAT

Delivering to US (Paying in USD) Edit

Crean Mate⚠ Sorry. Crean Mate is not available. Please take a look at the Mini Crean Mate instead.Availability Alert Email Sign‑up
(estimated dispatch from 2 Jan 2025)
Add to Wishlist / Save for later
Crean Mate
  • 2.3oz
  • 2.6 x 1.6 x 0.7"
  • Made in Japan
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 Crean 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
Crean Mate
Essentials