Well, let me tell ya, I’ve been messing around in the garden for more years than I care to count. And one thing I learned is that having the right tools makes all the difference. Now, I ain’t no fancy gardener with all them highfalutin terms, but I know a good pair of Japanese pruning scissors when I see ’em. These ain’t your regular scissors, no sir. These things are tough, like that old mule we used to have, may he rest in peace.
These Japanese pruning scissors, they’re somethin’ else. They call them “secateurs” or somethin’ fancy like that. But around here, we just call ’em clippers. They got these blades, sharp as a butcher knife, I tell ya. You gotta be careful, or you’ll snip off more than just a branch. My neighbor, she got a little too happy with hers and took off half her rose bush. Poor thing looked like it got in a fight with a badger.
So, you see these Japanese pruning scissors got all kinda names. Some folks call ’em “bonsai shears.” I reckon that’s ’cause them little bonsai trees need special trimmings. And “higiriki” or somethin’ similar. Sounds like a sneeze, if you ask me. But names don’t matter much. It’s how they work that counts.
Now, there are different kind of scissors. If you just doing normal everyday clipping, you should get this Okatsune 103. Those are popular, that I know. Some people, those professional gardeners, they really like those. But you ask me, for normal folks, they are great.
- Japanese pruning scissors, they’re good for all sorts of things.
- You can use ’em to trim flowers, shape your bushes, even cut through branches that are about as thick as my thumb.
- They say these scissors are “ergonomic.” I don’t know what that means, but they fit real nice in your hand.
I remember this one time, I was tryin’ to cut through a branch with my old rusty scissors, the ones I used for cuttin’ chicken wire. Well, let me tell ya, it was a struggle. I was huffin’ and puffin’, and that branch wouldn’t budge. Finally, I gave up and went inside for a glass of sweet tea. That’s when my grandson, bless his heart, he brought out his Japanese pruning scissors. Zipped right through that branch like it was butter. I was amazed, I tell ya.
These ain’t just for flowers, neither. They call ’em “pruning shears” or “hand pruners”, but they’re good for all sorts of things. You got a unruly bush that’s takin’ over your yard? These scissors will take care of it. Need to harvest some tomatoes from your garden? These scissors will do the trick. These clippers, I use them for everything. Snipping herbs, cutting twine, even opening up those pesky bags of fertilizer.
And these Japanese folks, they know how to make a garden look real nice. They got a special way of doing things, kinda like how we make our quilts. Everything’s neat and tidy, and each plant has its place. These Japanese pruning scissors are a big part of that. They help you keep everything lookin’ its best.
Some folks call ’em “branch scissors” or “bud scissors.” I guess that’s ’cause you can use ’em to snip off little buds and stuff. I saw in some magazine, it says if you cut a branch a certain way, you can make it grow in a different direction. I reckon that’s how they make them bonsai trees look so twisted and old. They got all these tricks. Like magicians, almost.
I seen some of these scissors, they got stainless steel blades. That means they won’t rust, even if you leave ’em out in the rain. Mine, they’re older than dirt, but they still work like a charm. I just oil ’em up every now and then, keep ’em in good shape. They make clean cuts too. No ragged edges that can make your plants sick.
If you’re thinkin’ about gettin’ a pair of Japanese pruning scissors, I say go for it. You won’t regret it. They’re a bit pricey, maybe, but they’ll last you a lifetime. Just make sure you get a good pair, not those cheap ones they sell at the dollar store. Those things will fall apart faster than a scarecrow in a hurricane. The real Japanese pruning scissors is so good, you will use them for years. These things will last for years, even if you drop them in mud, or you run them over with lawn mower. I know that last one from experience.
So, there you have it. My two cents on Japanese pruning scissors. They’re the best darn gardening tool you’ll ever own. Just remember to be careful with ’em. They’re sharp, I tell ya, sharp as a tack. And don’t go cuttin’ off more than you mean to. You don’t want your garden lookin’ like it lost a fight with a weed whacker, do ya?
