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

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.

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 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.

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.

Highlights of my Video Review: 1. I actually ordered both these Small ones and the XL ones because I couldn't decide which to get. I show the comparison in my video along with my old favorite, which is more of a traditional/standard pruner. 2. Several elderly gardeners who have been gardening most their lives actually introduced these to me and I was very skeptical - but after one use, I was totally sold and had to get my own set. 3. I've bought so many normal pruners throughout the years and never found ones that particularly wow'ed me until these. I love these. 4. Has some kind of springy action that really makes cutting a breeze 5. Easy, one handed operation - easy to flip the grip-lock just by wiping it against your leg or something. 6. Easy to take apart and sharpen - or...they open wide enough that you can do a quick sharpening job without even taking it apart 7. Has worked on live and dead branches just fine. Has outperformed anvil style pruners that claimed to be 5X more powerful than regular bypass pruners. Has outperformed all other pruners I've ever used. I've never used Felco pruners before though and I've heard those are the best on the market...those are out of my price range though and many reviewers have said that these are just as good with a better latch system. 8. These XL sized ones are a little large in my hand when they are fully opened. I have to stretch my fingers a bit to get a good grip on them, but they make cutting larger branches a little easier so I'm fine with them. They would probably be more comfortable for men with larger hands. The size Smalls fit my hand much better and are my first choice. 9. Made in Japan - Excellent Quality

I use these to prune trees, cut up saplings, and green bamboo. I've had these for going on two years. They are very good steel and hold an edge well. I'm a sharpening fanatic so I know good steel when I see it. I sharpen these pruners once a year. The package has sharpening directions which I recommend following. The angles they say to sharpen at are probably optimal for whatever steel they're made of. I wish they could be taken apart for easier sharpening but oh well. Do not let them get rusty or they won't cut as well even if sharp. Never buy stainless steel cutting tools because they don't stay sharp long and are hard to sharpen, This will always be true. Carbon steel is just the best metal for cutting tools or knives period.

This pruner is astonishingly easy to cut with. I was getting blisters on my hand from my old pruners. These new pruners are a joy to garden with. They cut smoothly and easily, and require little effort trim small branches, stems or stalks. Great value for the money. I would recommend to other gardeners, especially those whose hands are not as strong as they once were.

I love these things, I am applying for my ISA certification and these are the pruners I am training with. The first day I had them, I nearly clipped off the finger knuckle of one of my fingers, and it was such a clean cut that I got it to stop bleeding fast and it healed within days. barely any pain. I've since upgraded to always having cut resistant gloves, but was impressed at how much it cut through me. Very good for getting leverage on 1" branches, also the bottom lock is amazing for both rubbing against the body to unlock and rubbing against the body to lock. best design, screw falcos

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.

Alicate espetacular corte preciso e muito afiado corta galhos de limões sem esforço nenhum altíssima qualidade esse é top demais

Amazing!!! I handed prune alot in my job. These make light work of citrus and other harder woorddes shrubs. I have the 103 unique and now the 104 unique because they are a little bigger. All I can say is get them.

まだ一度しか使用していませんが、流石岡恒、切味は最高でした。耐久性を期待しています。

trés bon sécateur, le manche est très pratique vu la couleur rouge et blanche et rouge si il tombe de la poche on le retrouve plus facilement. Il y a des ressorts de rechange en pièce détachée. Il est trs agréable au maniement et coupe facilement avec un acier de bonne qualité.