The Forged Edge Blog

Japanese Ikebana & Flower Shears Explained: Warabi-te, Tsuru-te, and Multi-Purpose Pruning Shears

Japanese Ikebana & Flower Shears Explained: Warabi-te, Tsuru-te, and Multi-Purpose Pruning Shears

What Are Japanese Flower Shears — and Why Are There Two Handle Shapes? If you have ever seen a pair of Japanese flower shears for the first time, you probably noticed the handles before the blade. One type has a...

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What Are Garden Snips? Japanese Snips for Precision Pruning

What Are Garden Snips? Japanese Snips for Precision Pruning

The Tool You Reach for Most Garden snips are compact pruning shears made for the small, precise cuts that come up again and again — removing a yellowing leaf, harvesting a sprig of basil, trimming a fine shoot on a...

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Japanese forged pruning shears

Why Forged Pruning Shears Are Worth Owning

A forged pruning shear earns its place through clean cuts, beauty that emerges from function, and care that makes the tool feel more personal over time.

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Japanese garden shears by Toyama Hamono

Your First Japanese Garden Shears: Snips, Pruning Shears, or Traditional Okubo-Style

Not sure which Japanese garden shears to start with? Compare snips, pruning shears, and the traditional Okubo-style by the plants you actually cut.

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Wetting a traditional Japanese sharpening stone (whetstone).

How to Sharpen Japanese Pruning Shears — A Practical Maintenance Guide

Learn how to sharpen Japanese pruning shears the right way. Clean the inner face with an eraser, sharpen only the outer bevel, and maintain your shears without disassembly.

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Pruning shears by Toyama Hamono

High-Carbon vs. Stainless Steel Pruning Shears

High-carbon steel or stainless steel pruning shears? Learn how each blade material affects sharpness, maintenance, and cutting feel so you can choose wisely.

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Japanese pruning sheers by Toyama Hamono.

How to Choose the Right Grip for Your Pruning Shears

Learn how to pick the right pruning shear grip for comfort and control. Explore three grip styles from Toyama Hamono, hand-forged in Sanjo, Japan, since 1861.

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Traditional Japanese garden shears by Toyama Hamono

How to Choose Traditional Japanese Garden Shears

Not sure which traditional Japanese garden shears to pick? Learn the differences between bonsai, ikebana, hedge, and all-purpose shears from Toyama Hamono.

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Forging Japanese pruning sheers at Toyama Hamono

Forged vs. Stamped Pruning Shears: What's the Difference?

Why do pros choose forged pruning shears? Learn how forging affects sharpness, blade contact, and durability — from Toyama Hamono, hand-forging shears since 1861.

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