Japanese Grip Scissors “Kenshi”

Japanese Grip Scissors “Kenshi” are made by Kenshi Terazaki who is one of the only two craftsmen in the world that create this traditional Japanese craft using traditional method.  These scissors are hand forged from scratch – precisely from a stick of special Japanese steel that’s a length of your palm.  The steel processing technique is totally unique to Japan and it’s been passed onto chosen craftsmen for centuries.  These scissors are typically used for sawing to cut threads and fabrics as well as wool work.  In Japan, traditional confectionary artists also use them to decorate sweets.

Why Japanese scissors are superior

Japanese Grip Scissors “Kenshi” are not cut from a sheet of steel like many other producrts these days. Instead they are made from a piece of steel hammered over 1,000 times.  Terazaki first hammers it into a long flat stick, then hardens it by putting it through 1,000°C heat then cooling it .  He hammers some more, blending in another type of steel for the edges.  He then skillfully polishes and sharpens it, giving perfectly sharp edges before folding it to a U shape.  The secret of Japanese scissors is in the back of the blades.  Perfectly crafting the back blades is crucial in giving users a continuously smooth and enjoyable cutting experience.  All of these steps need a trained eye and scissors of this quality cannot be mass produced.  They require time and skills to make and it is no doubt a labour of love.  All is done for reason and the result speaks for itself.  Just snip with a pair of Terazaki’s Japanese Grip Scissors “Kenshi” and you will realise the difference.  You will also appreciate Terazaki’s efforts when you find his scissors are still sharp decades later.  These are desgined to last so you can pass them onto your grandchildren.

Most scissors perform fine when you cut close to the rivet or the screw.  Most decent scissors will also cut OK when the are brand new.  But the questions you should be asking are; will the scissors cut well using just  the tips?  Will they stay sharp after 10 years? Are they made to last for decades?  Terazaki’s grip scissors will tick all the boxes, performance far above any scissors of this type you will find on the market.  These snips are not only pretty, they give the high performance you expect and more so you will cherish them for a lifetime.