The Forged Edge Blog
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- by hidenobu toyama
The Black Finish on Toyama Hamono Shears
From traditional silk rubbing to heat oxidation—and the patina that develops with use By Hidenobu Toyama, CEO & Fifth-Generation Head of Toyama Hamono People who pick up a pair of Toyama Hamono shears sometimes ask us, “Is the black surface...
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- by Hedenomu Toyama
How to Adjust the Pivot on Japanese Garden Shears
A Practical Guide to Kashime Rivets and Bolt-and-Nut Pivots By Hidenobu Toyama, CEO & Fifth-Generation Head of Toyama Hamono When a pair of shears stops cutting cleanly, sharpening is not always the first answer. Wear at the pivot can create...
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- by Hedenomu Toyama
Why We Rethought the Pruning Shear Handle
The Story Behind Toyama Hamono's Ergonomic Grips By Hidenobu Toyama, CEO & Fifth-Generation Head of Toyama Hamono For most of our history, the answer to "how do we make a better pair of shears?" was found in the blade. The...
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- by Hidenobu Toyama
Japanese Garden Shear Types: Okubo, Type A & Type B
By Hidenobu Toyama Japanese shear type names come from several different sources: a region (Tsushima, Tsugaru), a way of making the tool (Type A, Type B), a physical form, or a name whose origin remains uncertain (Okubo). They are not...
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- by Hidenobu Toyama
Toyama Hamono has exhibited at Planters Market, a plant event in Singapore, every year since 2023. Our reason for exhibiting is simple. It is because we can hand our tools directly to the people who actually use them. Growers, collectors,...
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- by Hidenobu Toyama
How to Hold Springless Traditional Japanese Garden Shears
Most modern pruning shears have a spring. You close them, and the spring opens the blades again. Traditional Japanese garden shears do not work that way. I exhibit at trade shows overseas, and when customers pick up our traditional shears...
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- by Hidenobu Toyama
How to Use Japanese Pruning Shears and Garden Snips
A good pair of shears should feel secure and balanced in the hand. When the tool, the material, and your grip are properly matched, the cut feels controlled and less effort is wasted. This guide covers two types of spring-loaded...
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- by Hidenobu Toyama
Best Pruning Shears for Small Hands: A Practical Size and Fit Guide
Small hands do not always need the shortest pruning shears. A compact pair can still feel too wide, too heavy, or poorly balanced, while a slightly longer model with the right grip may feel more secure. For many gardeners with...
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- by Hidenobu Toyama
Bypass vs. Anvil Pruners: Which Should You Choose?
For most everyday pruning—where access, control, and accurate cut placement matter—a bypass pruner is usually the more versatile choice. Its cutting blade passes closely beside a counter blade, making it well suited to flowers, roses, fruit trees, young shoots, and...
