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

I agree with almost all of the reviewers that these are simply the best “loppers” on the market. The quality is superb, and the price is more than fair.(BTW: they are WAY cheaper on amazon than from the. usual bonsai dealers (one of whom “warned” that the amazon versions may be chinese knockoffs, which I doubt. I note that the packaging says “made in Japan, although that comment is probably meaningless. The quality of this lopper is most consistent with a true Japanese product, rather than a cheap Chinese knockoff.)

They are very sharp, hold their edge, and the steel blades seems to be very high quality. Because they are so sharp they require less force to cut. I have pruned 3 large overgrown apple trees plus some misc shrubs with these so far and they are still sharp and cut effortlessly. I have been using Felco pruning shears for years but prefer these so far.

EXCELLENT steel is very good, sharp and holds edge well, does NOT crush branch even at leading edge of blade, cut is very clean. Highly recommended, preferred this size over smaller model, m/lg hands, 40 years experience. Excellent price ($30) for quality product.

Been using for several months and so far so good. Very happy with comfort, quality, steel, and design.

Must clean and oil to prevent blade corrosion

The media could not be loaded. 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.

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.

Just ordered a second pair for backup. Soooo easy to use, will not make hands tired.