Okatsune Shears
Karikomibasami
The long blades (8”) and wooden handles of these Shears provide perfect balance for detailed topiary work, whilst being tough enough for hedge pruning and more brutal work! Ideal for box clipping and cloud pruning. Not to be confused with the rusty old things at the back of the shed.
As with all Japanese tools, simplicity and quality materials are the key: super quality steel, riveted into handles of Japanese whiteoak (Quercus myrsinifolia.) That's it- nothing to go wrong. Look after them and they'll go on for ever...
Tip: When clipping box or yew, keep a bucket of water handy, mixed with a dash (5%, no more) of bleach. Dunk the clippers in every so often, and it stops the leaf resin from cloging up the blades. The bleach prevents the spreading of nasty viruses between plants.
Regular (21" total length): great all rounders.
Long handled version (31" total length) : Quite big and heavy, but perfect for tougher hedges when you need extra reach, and working on very low parterre-style hedges as they're long enough to use standing up. NB these are too long to send as recorded post, so travel as regular parcel mail
