How to choose Japanese pruning shears for your garden: 7 parameters that really matter
A good pruning shears should not just cut the branch. It should make a clean cut, fit comfortably in your hand, not require excessive force and retain its working properties after many seasons.
That is why, when choosing a Japanese pruning shears, you should not focus only on the price, appearance or maximum cutting diameter specified by the manufacturer.
Different models have different purposes. Some are better suited for roses and ornamental shrubs, others for fruit trees, and still others are designed for a small hand or long daily work.
Let's take a look at seven parameters that will help you choose Japanese pruning shears that really suit your needs.
1. What plants and jobs do you need pruning shears for
The first question to ask before buying is: what exactly will you cut with it?
For thin shoots, flowers, roses and ornamental plants, the requirements for the pruning shears are different from those for pruning fruit trees.
For ordinary garden care, bypass pruning shears are most often suitable. Its two blades work on the principle of scissors: the cutting part passes next to the supporting one, which results in a neat cut.
This type is especially convenient when working with live branches and shoots, when it is important to minimally injure the plant.
For example, the ARS 130DX is 184 mm long, designed for a cut of up to 15 mm and is positioned for flowers, ornamental plants and thin branches.
For more versatile gardening, you can consider another model of the Japanese pruning shears ARS VS-Z. Kenzan Kyiv's assortment includes VS-7Z(S), VS-8Z(M) and VS-9Z(L) models of different sizes.
If you have to regularly work with dry or tougher wood, you should pay attention to other designs, including pruning shears with an anvil.
For example, Chikamasa PSV-8 is the Anvil type.
Conclusion: first determine the type of work, and only then choose a specific model.
2. The diameter of the branches is not the only indicator
The packaging of the pruning shears usually indicates the maximum diameter of the cut. This is a useful parameter, but you should not use it as the main selection criterion.
The maximum diameter depends on the type of wood, its condition, the position of the branch and the condition of the blade.
The same thickness of a branch can be cut with a completely different force with a new sharp pruning shears and a tool with a blunt cutting edge.
Therefore, it is better to choose pruning shears with some margin for the possible diameter, and do not try to constantly cut thick branches that are too thick for the tool.
A simple guideline:
thin shoots and flowers - a small compact pruning shears;
ordinary gardening work is a universal model;
thicker branches - pruning shears of a suitable class, lopper or garden saw.
For example, Kenzan Kyiv has not only pruning shears, but also Japanese loppers ARS, Chikamasa and Kanenori, so you don't have to try to cut a thick branch with pruning shears only.
3. The size of the pruning shears should fit your hand
One of the most underestimated parameters is the size of the tool.
Too large pruning shears will be inconvenient for a small hand. At the same time, a model that is too small can force the user to squeeze the handles more tightly when working with denser wood.
Japanese manufacturers have models of different sizes.
A good example is the ARS VS series:
Okatsune has a similar logic. The No101 model with a length of 180 mm is also designed for a small hand, and there are also larger No103 and No104 in the lineup.
When choosing, it is advisable to take into account not only the length of the pruning shears, but also how naturally the handles are located in the palm of your hand.
If after several dozen cuts you have to constantly change the position of the hand or squeeze the handles too much, the size of the tool is poorly chosen.
4. Regular handle or swivel
Some professional models of Japanese pruning shears use a swivel handle.
Its task is to reduce the load on the hand and fingers during a large number of repetitive movements.
In the Kenzan Kyiv catalog there are ARS VS-7R, VS-8R and VS-9R with swivel handles. For example, the VS-7R has a length of 180 mm, a weight of 250 g and is designed for a cut of up to 15 mm according to the store.
The swivel handle is especially interesting for those who:
works a lot with secateurs in a row;
is engaged in professional garden maintenance;
regularly prunes a large number of shrubs;
sensitive to the load on the hand.
For rare work in a small garden, such a structure will not necessarily be needed.
Therefore, the principle works here again: the pruning shears must be selected according to the amount of work, and not only according to the characteristics of the tool.
5. What Steel Is Used In The Blade
The quality of the steel is important, but the word "Japanese steel" doesn't say which tool is right for you.
Several factors should be taken into account at once:
the hardness of the steel, the geometry of the blade, the quality of the cutting edge and the resistance of the tool to corrosion.
Some Japanese manufacturers use carbon steel. It can have very good cutting performance, but such a tool requires more careful care and protection from moisture.
Stainless steel, on the contrary, is more convenient for users who need increased resistance to corrosion.
The Kenzan Kyiv catalog contains both options, including Toyama Hamono and Niwashi stainless steel models, as well as classic pruning shears from various Japanese manufacturers.
Therefore, the question "which steel is better?" is not entirely correct.
It is better to ask:
"What conditions will I be using my pruning shears?"
If the tool is used regularly and you are ready to properly clean it, dry and protect it from corrosion, the choice of steel will be one. For the simplest possible service - the other one.
6. Weight and balance are more important than they seem
Even a sharp and high-quality tool can be uncomfortable if its weight or balance does not suit you.
This becomes especially noticeable during long-term work.
For small tasks, a compact lightweight pruning shears are convenient. For example, the Okatsune No101 is 180 mm long and weighs 177 g.
But a professional tool doesn't always have to be as light as possible.
Sometimes a little more weight, combined with the right balance, allows for more confident control of the pruning shears and reduces the need to squeeze the handles sharply.
Therefore, you should not choose a tool based on the principle "the lighter, the better".
It is much more important how it feels in your hand during the cut.
7. Consider the possibility of maintenance and sharpening
Even the most expensive Japanese pruning shears will become dull over time.
This is normal.
The main mistake is to wait for the moment when the tool almost stops cutting.
Properly maintained pruning shears retain their original properties much longer.
After work, it is advisable to remove the remnants of plant sap, dirt and other contaminants from the blades. This is especially important with regular use.
Also, the cutting edge must be sharpened periodically.
For the tool care, Kenzan Kyiv offers Japanese Naniwa water sharpening stones. The store's assortment includes both a specialized stones for sharpening curved blades and a combined Naniwa Multi Stone #1000/#3000.
After cleaning and sharpening, the tool should also be protected against corrosion with a suitable agent.
That is why, when buying pruning shears, it makes sense to immediately think not only about the tool itself, but also about its further maintenance.
Which Japanese pruning shears should you choose depending on the task
If you need a versatile compact pruning shears for a home garden, roses, ornamental shrubs and not too thick branches, you should pay attention to compact models.
For example:
The ARS 130DX is a good option for flowers, ornamental plants and thin branches.
If short length and compactness are important, an interesting option would be:
Okatsune No101 is a model in size S, 180 mm long.
For those who need a larger tool, you can consider:
Okatsune No103 — size M
Okatsune No104 — size L
For users who work a lot with pruning shears and want to reduce the load on the brush, it is worth paying attention to the line:
ARS VS-7R, VS-8R and VS-9R with swivel grip.
And for tasks where the Anvil design is needed, the catalog contains:
Chikamasa PSV-8.
How to choose pruning shears: a short algorithm
Ask yourself five questions:
What will I cut?Roses, flowers, shrubs, fruit trees or dry branches?
What is the maximum diameter of the branches I really need to cut?Not the one you want to cut in theory, but the one you regularly cut in practice.
What is my hand size?For a small hand, a large model could be uncomfortable.
How long do I work with pruning shears in a row?For occasional work and professional pruning, the ergonomic requirements are different.
Am I willing to service the tool regularly?Japanese pruning shears are not a disposable tool. Cleaning, sharpening and corrosion protection directly affect the service life of your pruning shears..
Which Japanese pruning shears should you choose for your garden?
There are no universal "best Japanese pruning shears".
For a small hand and careful work with thin branches, you need one tool. For a large hand and long-term professional pruning, there is another one. For dry wood, a completely different design may be needed.
The main thing is not to buy pruning shears only by brand or maximum cutting diameter.
The right choice is based on a combination of purpose, hand size, construction, steel, weight and working conditions.
If you have determined these parameters in advance, it will be much easier to choose the right model.
The assortment of Kenzan Kyiv includes Japanese pruning shears ARS, Okatsune, Chikamasa, Sakagen, Tobisho, Onoyoshi Hamono, Sakagen,Toyama Hamono and other manufacturers, so the tool can be selected for a specific task, and not vice versa.
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