Okatsune Pruning Shears Unique 8.3 inches (210 mm) (Blister) No. 104

Exceptional quality and build with these garden shears. I tossed away the package almost immediately after opening these because I was sure I would keep them. I was correct, but then I got curious about all of the Japanese writing on the package. They discuss metal composition and sharpening angle on the back; none of which I understand, but the fact that a company goes in to this much depth about the manufacturing of their product gives me great peace of mind that that are crafted in the highest quality. They cut through branches, like a hot knife through butter, and the point is extremely sharp (drew blood with just a touch.) The locking mechanism has a tactile and strong grasp to keep them closed when not in use. These shears come very well oiled and overall just feel like some of the very best quality gardening products I have only second to my Hickcock branch lopping cheers (which I also ordered from amazon.) The only slight drawback, if one could see it as such, is that the handles open a little to wide for my wife to use, which is actually a good thing because it looks like they are solely mine now and we will be on the hunt for another pair for her. Products like these, truthfully, are why I continue to come back to Amazon time and time again. The price is better than a pair of corona shears at my local garden shop and the quality and availability of this product are unlike anything out there available to me in my area. I am so beyond pleased with these shears. They are forged steel, that I am sure of. They are extremely sharp. I absolutely love this purchase. I will keep these in mind for gifts and may even order a second pair just so I can lessen the chance of ever being without them. Okatsune products appear to be of the absolute highest quality and Amazon is an allstar for having this product to my front door in 2 days. Absolutely blown away.

I love these pruning shears. They are my favorite overall. My first pair I used for years, and then one day, I set then on the top of the car, while a hauled some branches to the street.. making sure to make a mental note to grab them on the way back. Needless to say, I now needed another pair as those are lost forever. These are solid, and durable, and sharp, and tough. They are all metal throughout, with dipped rubber handles. The back lock should also be metal and not plastic (counterfeit). I own a few different tools from this brand and they are all quality. These shears are smooth, snappy, and work great. They punch outside their weight class. The largest size is best for overall use outside, but they come in two smaller sizes also. All work well. They are made of some sort of tool steel, that is not stainless, so you need to clean them off periodically, and grease or oil them at times. They will patina with use, and rust with neglect, though I moderately neglected them for years, and they didn't have major rust issues. The steel seems reasonably tough and holds and edge well. They are comfortable to use and my go-to pruners. If lost again, I would order another pair immediately, again. These are not optional for me. You won't be disappointed with these Japanese pruners. Hattori Hanzo would approve, and I would definitely sit in his attic, waiting for a month, to get a pair.

I’ve had my Corona bypass pruners from Lowe’s for about 4 years and they’ve worked very well, they’re sharp, strong, comfortable, and were about $35 which I feel were a great buy since I use them so much. I clean them every time I use them with a bit of alcohol and have use WD30’s lubricating spray to keep them looking and working well. Now with the Okatsune 104’s they don’t look as “nice” they honestly look cheap- but they’re VERY sharp, very comfortable and feel like I have to use less effort to cut something- and it’s not just because it’s a new blade- it’s drastically better than my Corona’s. The only thing I’m worried is that they might get rusty. In the 4 years my Corona’s haven’t gotten rusty- I take foot care of them and keep them in the garage. But I hear that with the Okatsune you have to use Camelia oil to keep them from rusting. I’ll definitely update my review if any rusting occurs.

I have had these Japanese Okatsune 104 8.25 inch pruners for 9 months. I just came in from the garden after doing some light pruning and told myself that I simply had to write a review on these pruners, as I like them so much. They're made of Japanese Izumi Yasuki hardened steel and are incredibly sharp. Pruning is effortless with them, and I love the satisfying "chunk" sound they make when they pass thru a branch. I love the handle end locking mechanism as well. It won't inadvertently lock while using them (my pet peeve with Felco pruners) and lock and unlock by banging the catch on my thigh. The cutting blades will stain, a characteristic of carbon steel, which is no big deal. I simply keep a small spray bottle of alcohol along with a spray bottle of cutlery quality Kurobara camellia oil (available from Amazon) at my bench for a quick wipe down after a day of use. They don't have replaceable blades but can be sharpened, which won't be needed often for the home gardener. Okatsune has an excellent sharpening video on YouTube. As far as size, I (5'11" male) have long, relatively slender fingers, and generally wear a large glove. The 104 is a perfect size for me. My wife (5'6") has the 101 7 inch and loves them as well. She was pleased with her Felcos, but her Okastunes are now her favorite pruner (ordered after checking out mine). I recommend the leather case as well.

It is difficult to add anything new to the praise of the pruner. However.. The pruner is extremely sharp. I made the mistake of closing the pruner gently on the tip of my index finger, and a red torrent ensued. A mistake not repeated. I have medium size hands and am have fairly strong hands. I am able to cut through any branch that one should *reasonably* expect a hand pruner to handle. Larger stuff needs loppers or similar. The 104 pruner is a really solid design. Everything is thought thru and executed well. I typically prefer a coil spring on pruners, but the torsion spring used here is trouble-free. Should a replacement be needed, a quick search will yield results. Years ago I had a set of Felco pruners(lost them somewhere) and I think these Okatsune pruners are sharper and harder. I have been using them a couple of times per day over the past 45 days and they are still remarkably sharp. To me the cutting efficiency(speed and precision of snips) are the most important parameter in a pruner. These are perhaps unequalled. I find the handling to be without fault. I have had no problems with my hand slipping on the handles - and I used them during 100+ degree weather with a heat index of 117F. The tool a quality feel about it, the handle end lock/unlock lever is a nice touch, and the color should aid in finding them if misplaced. The only thing I would want on my wish list would be a blade coating so as to be more rust resistant. I clean and oil them after every outing, so rust should never be an issue, but I can see the value in that for some...just don't trade the coating for sharpness. I will concede that some have real issues with the handling of this pruner, but for my hands(I'm a lefty, and have used them in both hands) there is no issue whatever. My two favorite garden/yard tools are this pruner and the delightful Wolf Garten/Troy-Bilt RR900T lopper. Nothing else is even close.

The Okatsune 104 is not a “new” or “innovative” design, rather it is a simple, straightforward, proven design, with exceptional cutting blades securely riveted to adequate, stamped steel handles. The critical central pivot bolt is well placed through short extensions of the hard and tough (differentially tempered) cutter blades. There is a robust “keep closed” catch at the nether end of the plastic covered steel handles. There is a “leaf” type spring that returns the handles to the open position after each cut (providing the catch is un-latched, of course). That’s it. I also purchased the #108 leather sheath, which is high quality, very well made, and the 104 fits it fine. Back to the 104, I bought this pruner hoping it would be more “precise” than my trusty, very old Corona 3180. I did not expect the 104 to be as tough as the 3180, and because I have great loppers (Hickok 32A; Corona) and nice saws (Fanno #8; Corona; Silky, etc.), I was not too worried about a trade-off. In fact, the Okatsune 104 is precise (yes, a new-ish one will cut chives…), and it is also as direct and robust as the commercial-favorite Corona 3180. In terms of function, the Okatsuna 104 not only cuts leaves and fruit cleanly off garden vines but it has also passed the “acid test” of cutting any living or dead orange tree branch I could get between its cutters, a trial I thought only the 3180 could survive. While I don’t actually plan to continue this sort of abuse, I could not resist testing it. Also, I keep finding myself way up a ladder without a lopper or a saw, pruning large branches with the 104, just to save myself the extra climbing. I have to admit it’s somehow satisfying to cut the tough stuff this way. Still, it is an inevitable fact that forcing any hand pruner through thick, super-tough, and/or dead branches will turn and/or chip the cutting edges, and it will also – sooner or later – misalign and separate the cutters, depending on the extent of the abuse (and there go the chives…). Ironically, what I actually enjoy most about the Okatsune 104 is its very satisfying tactile feedback as I use it. On that level it’s almost like a fine pair of scissors in that it fairly “snips” through material it will reasonably cut. The cutting edges are quite hard and very sharp, as pruners go, and this should be taken into consideration during use. If this tool is twisted around while cutting, or metal or rocks are encountered, the cutting edges may chip. On the other hand, it takes and holds a remarkable edge (for a pruner), so who knows how long it would cut chives if it weren’t abused? I find the 104 to be a “comfortable” pruner, with no ergonomic issues, given my large, strong hands (glove size 9 ½). I’m guessing that smaller hands might find the 103, etc. more to their liking. I presently tend a couple dozen fruit trees (mostly large, old oranges), a veggie garden, also ornamental trees, shrubs and flowers, and I fully expect my Okatsune 104 to last as long as I do.

I have used this product for almost 3 months. I use them 5 days a week for 8 hours a day of non-stop. I like this product, the edge is durable, I haven't sharpened them since I bought them, they are light, practical, strong, they perform fantastic, but they have 2 things that could be improved. They need a better grip, they go forward when cutting a lot. The second thing that needs improvement is they make a noise every time you cut something. Other then that its a really good product, I do recommend this and I'd buy it again.

These are by far my favorite pruners. They cut through branches super easily, the latch is strong, and the spring is robust. Now that I've used them I would've gladly paid $40 for them.

Ho acquistato le 104, cioè il modello più grande, per la potatura secca del vigneto. Nonostante utilizzo forbici professionali anche di altri marchi noti, le ritengo un modello bypass eccellente. Hanno il loro punto di forza nella capacità di taglio netta e precisa emettendo un rumore caratteristico. Forbici semplici ma robuste, mantengono a lungo il filo. Da verificare con l'uso la tenuta della molla. Ergonomia a mio parere migliorabile.

非常に良い商品です。切り口も良い。

Son unas tijeras en otra dimensión

O produto é excelente.

When you want a reasonably priced but high-quality Pruning Shears buy Okatsune you won't be disappointed. Sharp with a smooth quality cut. Comfortable to use and come in different sizes for your hand size. So good we have a pair for my wife and these for me.