ARS or Okatsune: Which Japanese Pruning Shears Should You Choose?
When choosing Japanese pruning shears, two well-known brands often come up for comparison: ARS and Okatsune. Both manufacturers produce high-quality garden pruning tools, but there is an important difference worth considering before making a purchase.
The main difference lies in the steel and the blade's protection against corrosion. ARS uses high-carbon tool steel with a hard chrome coating. Okatsune pruning shears are made from high-carbon Japanese steel without this type of protective coating.
What does this mean in practice? Both brands offer sharp cutting tools, but ARS provides additional surface protection against rust and plant sap buildup. Okatsune requires more careful maintenance of its uncoated carbon steel.
Both brands offer three main sizes, so it makes sense to compare specific models rather than just the brands: ARS VS-7Z, VS-8Z, and VS-9Z with Okatsune #101, #103, and #104, respectively.
ARS and Okatsune: What Is the Difference in Steel?
ARS: High-Carbon Steel with Hard Chrome Plating
The ARS VS series uses high-carbon tool steel. The blade surface is coated with hard chrome.
This coating serves several purposes:
It increases the surface's resistance to corrosion.
It reduces plant sap buildup.
It improves surface wear resistance.
It makes the blade easier to clean after use.
This makes ARS pruning shears particularly interesting for gardeners who prune plants regularly and want to worry less about the condition of the metal surface.
However, it is important to understand that ARS VS-7Z, VS-8Z, and VS-9Z are not made from stainless steel. Their blades are still made from high-carbon steel, with corrosion resistance improved by the chrome coating.
These tools should still be cleaned after use, wiped dry, and stored in a dry place. The coating provides additional blade protection, but it does not eliminate the need to maintain the pivot and other working parts.
Okatsune: High-Carbon Steel Without a Chrome Coating
Okatsune uses Japanese Izumo Yasugi steel. The manufacturer emphasizes its forging technology, the high hardness of the cutting edge, and a simple tool design.
The blades of Okatsune #101, #103, and #104 do not have the same hard chrome coating used on ARS VS models.
This does not mean that Okatsune steel is inferior or that these pruning shears wear out quickly. They are known for their sharpness and are well suited to regular pruning of branches, shrubs, roses, and fruit trees.
However, the exposed surface of carbon steel is more sensitive to moisture. If pruning shears are left wet, dirty, or covered with plant sap, rust may develop.
For this reason, Okatsune owners should clean the blade after use, wipe it dry, and periodically apply a thin layer of protective oil.
For more information about maintenance, read Camellia Oil: How to Care for Garden Tools.
Comparing ARS VS and Okatsune by Size
Both manufacturers offer three main sizes, allowing you to choose pruning shears that suit your hand and working style.
Note that the large L-size models differ in overall length. ARS VS-9Z is 227 mm long, while Okatsune #104 is 210 mm. Size labels are useful as a general guide, but they do not mean that the tools will feel the same in the hand.
Let's look at each pair in more detail.
ARS VS-7Z or Okatsune #101: Compact Size
ARS VS-7Z, 180 mm
ARS VS-7Z belongs to the compact S size. It is 180 mm long, has a 48 mm blade, and weighs about 212 g.
The blade is made from high-carbon steel and has a hard chrome coating.
This model is suitable for gardeners who need compact pruning shears for regular pruning of small branches and shoots. The additional blade protection is particularly useful when the tool is used frequently in the garden and it is not always possible to carry out a complete cleaning routine immediately after every cut.
Nevertheless, it is best to remove plant residue and moisture after use.
Chrome plating improves rust resistance, but it does not make maintenance unnecessary.
Okatsune #101, 180 mm
Okatsune #101 is also 180 mm long and belongs to size S. It weighs about 177 g and has a 53 mm blade. The stated maximum cutting diameter is up to 25 mm, although the actual load depends on the type of wood and the condition of the branch.
This is the most compact pruning shear in the Okatsune range. It is a good option for those who value low weight, a simple design, and a traditional Japanese blade.
Which Should You Choose: VS-7Z or #101?
These models have the same overall length, but differ in weight, blade length, and surface treatment.
ARS VS-7Z is worth considering if additional protection against corrosion and plant sap is important to you.
Okatsune #101 is suitable for those who prefer a lighter, classic tool and are prepared to spend more time cleaning, drying, and protecting the blade.
ARS VS-8Z or Okatsune #103: The Versatile Medium Size
This is a particularly useful comparison because both models are 200 mm long and belong to the medium M size.
ARS VS-8Z, 200 mm
ARS VS-8Z is 200 mm long, has a 54 mm blade, and weighs about 220 g. Like the other VS-Z models, it is made from high-carbon tool steel with a hard chrome coating.
VS-8Z can be considered a versatile option for regular garden pruning. The M size suits many users who need pruning shears that are neither too small nor excessively long.
When choosing, it is important to consider not only the stated cutting diameter but also the type of wood, blade sharpness, and grip comfort.
In the context of this article, the main difference from Okatsune #103 is the chrome coating. It improves the blade's corrosion resistance and helps reduce the buildup of plant residue.
Okatsune #103, 200 mm
Okatsune #103 is one of the manufacturer's most popular models. It is 200 mm long, weighs about 202 g, and has a 55 mm blade. The stated maximum cutting diameter is up to 25 mm.
This is a classic, versatile Japanese pruning shear for shrubs, roses, fruit trees, and vines. Its design is simple, with cutting blades, a spring, and a locking mechanism, without additional complex mechanisms.
Okatsune focuses on the quality of the forged blade, its sharpness, and the simplicity of the tool itself.
However, because the blade has no protective chrome coating, it is especially important to clean and dry the metal promptly when working in wet weather or after contact with plant sap.
Which Should You Choose: VS-8Z or #103?
For gardeners comparing two models of the same size, the key question is not which brand is better overall, but how the blade steel is protected.
ARS VS-8Z combines high-carbon steel with hard chrome plating. It is a practical choice for those who value additional surface protection against corrosion and plant sap buildup.
Okatsune #103 offers a classic forged blade without this coating. It is a good choice for those who appreciate a simple design and are prepared to maintain carbon steel regularly.
It would be inaccurate to claim that the chrome coating automatically makes one pair of pruning shears cut better than the other. Its primary effect is on the surface properties and maintenance requirements.
ARS VS-9Z or Okatsune #104: Large Size
ARS VS-9Z, 227 mm
ARS VS-9Z is the longest of the three ARS VS-Z pruning shears covered here.
It is 227 mm long, has a 60 mm blade, and weighs about 257 g. The blade is made from high-carbon steel with a hard chrome coating.
The larger format is worth considering when a longer tool is genuinely more comfortable for the user. It may be particularly relevant for larger hands and extended pruning sessions.
As with the other models in the series, the chrome-plated surface improves corrosion resistance, but the tool should still be cleaned and dried after use.
Okatsune #104, 210 mm
Okatsune #104 is 210 mm long, weighs about 245 g, and has a 55 mm blade. It is the largest of the three Okatsune models, #101, #103, and #104.
This model is designed for working with shrubs, roses, fruit trees, and vines. It is an interesting option for users who need a larger tool but do not necessarily want the longest pruning shears available.
The blade is made from high-carbon Japanese steel without a hard chrome coating. This means that protection from moisture and regular maintenance deserve particular attention.
Which Should You Choose: VS-9Z or #104?
The difference in length is more noticeable in this pair than when comparing the S or M models.
ARS VS-9Z is longer and has a longer blade. Its surface is also protected by hard chrome plating.
Okatsune #104 is shorter, but it also belongs to the large size and offers Okatsune's classic design.
When choosing, consider not only your hand size but also how comfortably you can make precise cuts inside a dense shrub. The longest pruning shears are not always the most convenient.
Does the Chrome Coating Mean ARS Will Never Rust?
No. It is more accurate to say that the chrome coating significantly improves corrosion resistance, rather than making the tool completely immune to rust.
Corrosion can still occur if the coating is damaged, the tool is exposed to moisture for a long time, or maintenance is inadequate. In addition, the pivot and other working parts need maintenance regardless of the blade coating.
The practical rules are the same for both brands:
Remove plant sap and dirt after use.
Wipe the blade dry.
Do not leave the pruning shears in a damp place for long periods.
Periodically check the pivot and apply oil to moving parts.
For Okatsune, applying oil to the uncoated blade is particularly important. Oil is also useful for ARS, but the hard chrome provides additional protection for the steel surface.
Which Brand Is Better at Retaining Sharpness?
The presence of a chrome coating alone does not determine which pruning shears will stay sharp longer.
Edge retention depends on the steel grade, heat treatment, blade geometry, sharpening quality, and the type of work being performed.
ARS uses high-carbon steel and hard chrome plating. Okatsune uses Japanese Izumo Yasugi steel and a traditional approach to forging and sharpening.
It is therefore worth comparing the entire tool, not just the coating. Chrome plating primarily adds surface protection and helps reduce plant sap buildup.
To maintain sharpness, both tools should be cleaned promptly and sharpened correctly. For more information about choosing the right size, read How to Choose the Right Pruner Size for Your Hand.
ARS VS-Z and Okatsune Comparison Table
Parameter | ARS VS-7Z | Okatsune #101 | ARS VS-8Z | Okatsune #103 | ARS VS-9Z | Okatsune #104 |
Size | S | S | M | M | L | L |
Overall length | 180 mm | 180 mm | 200 mm | 200 mm | 227 mm | 210 mm |
Weight | About 212 g | 177 g | About 220 g | 202 g | About 257 g | 245 g |
Blade length | 48 mm | 53 mm | 54 mm | 55 mm | 60 mm | 55 mm |
Material | High-carbon steel | High-carbon Japanese steel | High-carbon steel | High-carbon Japanese steel | High-carbon steel | High-carbon Japanese steel |
Blade coating | Hard chrome plating | No chrome coating | Hard chrome plating | No chrome coating | Hard chrome plating | No chrome coating |
Main feature | Surface protection, compact size | Lightweight, classic design | Surface protection, versatile size | Versatile classic model | Longer format and protective coating | Classic larger-size model |
The specifications are based on ARS manufacturer information and Kenzan Kiev product listings. Weight and dimensions may vary slightly depending on the source specification.
Which Japanese Pruning Shears Should You Choose?
If additional protection for high-carbon steel against corrosion and plant sap is your main priority, consider the ARS VS-Z series.
For the compact S size, choose ARS VS-7Z. For the medium M size, consider ARS VS-8Z, while ARS VS-9Z is the large-format option.
If you prefer Okatsune's classic design and are prepared to pay more attention to caring for exposed carbon steel, choose between Okatsune #101, #103, and #104 according to the size you need.
For smaller hands, #101 and VS-7Z are worth considering. For versatile everyday work, compare #103 and VS-8Z. For a larger size, look at #104 and VS-9Z, keeping in mind their difference in overall length.
The main conclusion is simple: ARS and Okatsune should not be compared only by sharpness or brand name. An important difference lies in the blade's protection against corrosion. ARS offers an additional chrome coating, while Okatsune focuses on a classic blade made from high-quality Japanese steel without this coating.
Your choice depends on how important additional surface protection is to you and whether you are prepared to clean, dry, and oil your pruning shears regularly.
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