Toyama Hamono | Pruning Shears That Can Cut Thick Branches and Will Last a Lifetime

Pruning Shears: An essential tool for enjoying branches and foliage in your daily life

"Eda-mono" (branches and foliage) instantly brighten up any room.

They last longer than cut flowers (approximately two weeks to a month), and the fact that they don't require sunlight management is another delightful feature. However, a common challenge for beginners with eda-mono is the "difficulty in cutting thick branches."

Perhaps some of you are struggling with your existing scissors or have given up on re-cutting stems for better water absorption.

For those individuals, we recommend the "Pruning Shears" crafted by Toyama Hamono. These are masterpieces that, with proper care, can last a lifetime.

Pruning shears are invaluable for various aspects of caring for branches and foliage:

・Adjusting the length of branches
・Re-cutting stems for water absorption (making a cut at the base of the branch to improve water uptake and longevity)
・Dividing large branches
・Disposing of branches
・Also useful for gardening and home vegetable gardens

Tips for choosing pruning shears

The key to choosing pruning shears is to select a size that fits your hand.

It is said that shears that are the same length as, or slightly longer than, the distance from the tip of your middle finger to the base of your hand are the easiest to use.

When measured by a female staff member who is 152cm tall, the length was approximately 17cm.

These pruning shears have an overall length of 18cm. While they are a convenient size even for women, they boast a maximum cutting capacity of approximately 1.5cm in diameter for live wood, allowing them to cut even thicker branches with ease.

Commitment ① Forging method

Forging is the process of shaping metal by hammering it.

As the proverb "Strike while the iron is hot" suggests, hammering metal compresses internal air bubbles and gaps, making it harder and stronger. Bronze and iron products from the Yayoi period were also made using this method.

The hard and sharp pruning shears from Toyama Hamono, forged with the skill of master craftsmen, are praised for being as keen as a razor.

Commitment ② "Ura-togi," the inherited technique that creates exceptional sharpness

Shears cut by bringing two blades together. High-quality shears are designed so that only a single point of the blade makes contact and crosses, and if this point of contact shifts, the shears become unusable.

The process of adjusting the blade by adding a subtle angle and curve [*] to the back is called "ura-togi" (back grinding), a traditional technique passed down through generations at Toyama Hamono.

This process, which greatly affects the sharpness—to the extent that it's said, "Shears cut with their back" and "The back is the life of the shears"—is performed by craftsmen on each individual pair.

[*] Refers to the parts called "suri" (curve), "sawa" (clearance), and "nejiri" (twist/warp).

Commitment ③ "Ai-hadon," an adjustment by skilled craftsmen using all five senses

The final process in making shears, "Ai-hadori," achieves a crisp, light sound and a comfortable feel.

This is another unique technique of Toyama Hamono, where craftsmen use all five senses to adjust the tightness of the components to achieve the best possible sharpness.

The front blade is engraved with "Soke Hidehisa Saku" (Made by the Head Family Hidehisa), a testament to the master craftsman's profound knowledge of steel.

Commitment ④ Re-sharpen the blades for continuous use!

To ensure long-lasting use, a "free blade sharpening ticket" is included with the product.

Blade sharpening and maintenance not only restore sharpness but also remove surface dullness and dirt, revitalizing the appearance.

Subsequent sharpening services can also be requested for a fee, allowing you to maintain comfortable usability.

Two types of surface finishes

〈Forged Special Steel YP180〉

Natural color achieved through baking only, without chemicals. Each piece of forged special steel has a unique character.

〈Stainless Steel YP180S〉

All stainless steel construction for excellent resistance to rust and dirt.

Traditional Skills × Advanced Technology: Bringing Manufacturing to the Future

Toyama Hamono was founded in 1861, during the Bunkyu era of the Edo period, in Sanjo, Niigata Prefecture, a town known for its metalwork.

Since then, as the head family of Echigo gardening shears, they have inherited traditional techniques through generations: the first generation Tatsumatsu (brand name: Tatsumatsu), the second generation Tomijiro (brand name: Chinryu), the third generation Hidekichi (brand name: Ryuzan), and the fourth generation Hidehisa (brand name: Hidehisa).

Their products have received high acclaim at international trade fairs and various design competitions, including the Good Design Award. They are one of the shear manufacturers trusted by professional gardeners.

While preserving traditional techniques such as forging, back grinding, and blade alignment, they are also actively incorporating digital control systems and robots [*].

They are an innovative manufacturer committed to manufacturing that connects to the future.

[*] They are engaged in precise blade sharpening using NC grinding machines controlled by computers, and labor-saving production lines with industrial robots.

Not disposable. Embracing the culture of "re-sharpening."

Caring for blades like swords, re-sharpening them, and using them carefully for a long time is a unique aspect of Japanese culture.

Toyama Hamono's pruning shears, from a traditional head family, will surely be a long-lasting companion in a life that cherishes flowers and trees.

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