Taira Kibasami
Garden Scissors

More Information

Taira San forges these minimalist pruning scissors in his tiny forge in Sanjo the way he always has, hand laminating Shirogami white paper steel blades to the softer jigane handles. They’re popular among younger gardeners keen to strip things down to the basics - hipster gardeners if you like. Whilst they may not be as user friendly as other options, they connect you closer to the tree than anything else out there, and demand a certain discipline and focus that some find appealing.

Tips

If you’re really hardcore, you sling these over your belt, but we find they fit well in the Saw Holster.

More about Taira

Taira san in his workshop in Sanjo. He’s been working here for 54 years, since he was 14, and has only recently taken on an apprentice, Junya Akiyama, who moved to Sanjo from near Tokyo for the experience. Taira san is one of the few scissor makers remaining who still hand-laminates his steel, working cross legged on the floor of his tiny forge.

Options

Taira Kibasami	$150.50
	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.

Taira Kibasami

8.5oz
9.7 x 2.1 x 0.8"
2.2" blades
Max cut Ø0.3"
Shirogami White Paper Steel
Made in Sanjo, 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 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).