Niwaki is a Japenese/British company founded by husband and wife Jake and Keiko Hobson. They source, design, and manufacture very fine Japanese garden and woodworking tools, kitchen knives, and gear in traditional styles with modern updates. Their quality is unmatched and the tools are a revelation for western gardeners.
Traditional Japanese style scissors are just as beautiful as they are useful in the garden. Excellent for harvest and the shorter tip is key for pruning up plants in tight spaces. The round handles are comfortable for lefties and righties alike. These have some weight to them without being too heavy and with regular cleaning and sharpening, will truly stnad the test of time. We love them for thick flower stems, tomato suckers who have gotten out of hand, and pruning up our woody perennial herbs. Made from solid KA-70 Carbon Steel, please see care recommendations below.
Dimensions
Blade: 50mm/2 inches
Overall: 172 x 102 x 17mm/6.77 x 4 x .67 inches
Weight
188g/6.63 oz
FROM THE MAKER
These are made from carbon steel - this means they will, 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 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. Use a Sharpening Stone 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