Okatsune Garden Shears
No.217

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.

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