[Sasaoka] Mon-Gata Karikomi Shears (Blue Paper Steel No.2) Tetsufuku Variant [SSK020202]

Customers in the USA and UK should contact us before purchasing. This product cannot be shipped with DHL's standard shipping rates due to its large packaging size. If requested, we can create a special page with the shipping cost difference added.

These shears are Blue Paper steel variant. Blue Paper Steel is a steel material based on White Paper Steel with additions such as chromium and tungsten to improve heat treatment properties and wear resistance. The sharpness of the blade lasts for a long time, but it is difficult to sharpen.

* It will be necessity about 7 business day to send. * for Right handed

Mon-Gata is a type in which the shoulders are rounded and the left and right handles are parallel or nearly parallel when the blade is closed. Features of Sasaoka Mon-Gata pruning shears The length of the blade from the tip to the riveting is about 195mm, which is the standard length of Karikomi shears for Japanese professionals. The handle is about 450mm long and the material is oak. The total length is 715 mm and the weight is about 875 g. They are a little shorter than professional Karikomi shears from other manufacturers, but they are very well balanced and feel lighter than their actual weight. The material of the blade is Blue Paper Steel No.2. As you know, hardness = sharpness is attractive for steel, but the more hard it is, the more brittle it becomes. Please use it only for trimming leaves like box clipping or cloud pruning. We recommend using clippers or saws to cut branches thicker than a few millimeters. Bolts are used for caulking. When the bolt comes loose, you can easily tighten it, but be careful not to overtighten. The surface of the blade has a black finish. Perhaps you feel the handcrafted goodness in this finish.

The main use box clipping or cloud pruning

About a maker, Sasaoka (Kochi pref) Sasaoka Hsami Factory cap : Satoru Sasaoka in Sasaoka Hasami Factory / Photo by Hiroshi Urata, copyright : The 庭NIWA magazine Eiji Sasaoka, the first generation, and Satoru Sasaoka, the second generation, are the only Hasami Blacksmiths in Tosa (Hasami means clippers, scissors, shears, pruners, secateurs, etc). According to Mr. Satoru, "The Mr. Eiji has a strong spirit of challenge and has great skills. And I think that my characteristic is to work carefully." In fact, the Hasami of Sasaoka that the two of them produce are a collaboration of skill and politeness. Looking at the mallet marks and sharpening marks, you can feel the warmth of handmade. On the other hand, when you actually use it, it cuts smoothly. The Hasami and knives in particular are carefully hand-sharpened, so the blades are very beautiful. Another feature of Sasaoka Scissors Manufacturing is that they can produce a wide variety of cutlery and tools using scissors as their basic technology. At the age of 24, Mr. Eiji set up a blacksmith factory here in Ino City, Kochi Prefecture, but when he was making Hasami, neighbors asked him to make kitchen knives and farming tools. Mr. Eiji, who has a strong spirit of challenge, quickly expanded the product categories of Sasaoka. * inscription The character "英" used in the inscription is derived from Eiji's name. *Main products Garden scissors, Kiribashi, Earthenware, Bonsai tools, kitchen knives, agricultural tools (scythes, plows, hoes, etc.) *location Ino City, Kochi Prefecture

How to Sharpen Karikomi Shears (Japanese Hedge Shears) on a Whetstone

Kisuke (Shunsuke Manaka) demonstrates the repair and sharpening of karikomi hedge shears. The techniques shown apply to shears of any brand or maker — please watch and give it a try.
Note: The first half of the video covers repair work. If you are looking for everyday sharpening techniques, please use the chapter markers to skip to the second half.
* Subtitles available in 15 languages.

Notes on use

IMPORTANT: This shear is made of Aogami Steel (Blue Paper steel = High-Carbon Steel, Not Stainless Steel). It is exceptionally sharp but prone to rust if not maintained.
Do not twist or lever the blade during a cut.
Handle with care, blade-first drops risk chipping.
For two-handed use.
Designed for trimming hedges and foliage, including the thin twigs naturally caught up in a hedge — not for cutting individual thick branches.
Oil and clean regularly to prevent rust and blade separation.
Sharpen on a whetstone when cutting performance declines.
Do not use on wire, rope, or any non-plant material.
Keep out of reach of children.