It’s the end of May, and that means for those of us in the Southern Hemisphere, the winter pruning season has arrived. Whether you're cutting back deciduous trees, shaping citrus, or tidying up spent growth, this is the season when having the right tool in your hand makes all the difference. This winter, we’re highlighting four essential Japanese pruning tools—crafted for precision, comfort, and longevity. Power Meets Precision: Masamune Loppers Robust yet surprisingly smooth, these loppers are ideal for thicker, woody branches. These are like secateurs with a reach. Forged for power and precision, the serrated edge allows you to prune with control and minimal strain. Their hand-sharpened blades glide cleanly through even stubborn growth. Our Best-Seller for a Reason: Black ... Continue Reading
Secateurs
Tea, Tools, and Tradition: A Garden Tool Care Workshop at Kings Cross Community Garden
On a crisp Autumn morning in Sydney—after a week of relentless rain—we were fortunate to be welcomed by sunshine and the warm company of fellow gardening enthusiasts at Kings Cross Community Garden. The occasion? A garden tool care workshop followed by a hands-on introduction to our handcrafted Japanese gardening tools and Japanese craftsmanship. What made the day even more special was that it also happened to be our wedding anniversary. While it might not be the most conventional way to celebrate, sharing our mission and love for craftsmanship with such a kind community felt deeply rewarding—and worth every minute. A GARDEN TOOL CARE WorkshoP by Horticulturist The first half of the event focused on tool maintenance, led by Yuta, our trusted tool expert from Greenfriends Gardens. ... Continue Reading
Give a Lil’ Love: Caring for Your Scissors
Our high-quality, handcrafted scissors are built to last a lifetime, but even the finest tools need a little love to stay in top shape. That's where our scissor maintenance gear comes in. We offer a variety of shapes and thicknesses of sharpening stones, specially designed for scissor care. Unlike sharpening stones for knives, which are often too thick to go around the receiving blade or non-straight shapes of scissors, our stones ensure precise sharpening without disassembling the blades. In addition, our 100% Camellia Seed Oil is the perfect non-drying tool oil. One bottle goes a long way, as it is versatile enough for use on your face, hands, hair, and even furniture. Best of all, it’s safe and natural. Our Sap and Rust Remover is ideal for keeping your scissors clean and ... Continue Reading
How not to be “cheated” by your stainless steel products
I live in Sydney. My kitchen has a mishmash of stainless steel products - some I bring from Japan and some I buy from Australia (most of those are probably not made here I'd say). I don't think anybody checks what kind of stainless steel a dish rack or mixing bowl are made of when you buy them. Do you? I certainly don't. Even if I may know a bit more than your average consumer since steel is part of my business, I still get "cheated" by products in disguise. You only realise that some are better than others after a time. I took this photo as it shows my point; not all stainless steels are the same and kitchen products should not be made with low grade stainless steel that rust so easily. How long did I use these? Maybe 10 years. The main dish rack is from here in Sydney and I ... Continue Reading
Which Secateurs Should You Choose?
Ok. There are so many different types of secateurs here I know. Some of you may be at a loss as to which secateurs are the best for you. Your Safest BetThis new arrival "Ergonomic Stainless Steel" is your safest bet - unless you are left handed. This is great if you are a garden professional, florist or weekend gardener. It suits both men and women. If you are choosing a gift for someone, especially if you feel you have less knowledge than the person receiving the gift, you can’t go wrong with this one. The offset handle is designed for easy grip allowing all your grip strength to be focused on the blades. "Ergonomic Stainless Steel" is stainless steel. This means that this tool not only works brilliantly, you’ll get to be a little lazy as well. It requires less maintenance as it is ... Continue Reading
Which one would you like for Christmas?
Here are some of our beautiful garden tools from Toyama. They are some of the highest quality secateurs available in the world. It is hard to pick one but if you must, which one would you choose? You can’t go wrong with stainless steel but some people just love the look of charcoal coloured handle. One of these has been chosen by “Nikkei Trendy” magazine (Japanese marketers bible) as “100 items to have in your lifetime”, alongside stationery, kitchen utensil, clothing or electronic device. Would you guess which one? I‘ll give you a hint - its offset handle has won a prestigious award for its brilliant functionality and ergonomic design. ... Continue Reading