Tobisho Topiary Clippers with hand guard

The Japanese name for this tool is hakaribasami, which means leaf-cutting scissors. Designed for one-handed use, the long blades and spring action make it a brilliant tool for trimming soft green growth while keeping your other hand free to guide and shape the plant. The long, narrow blades are particularly useful for precision work, finessing topiary and getting into awkward angles and tight spaces. This version comes with a built-in hand protector, giving your hand and fingers some extra protection when you're working amongst dense foliage, hedges or prickly plants. The deliberate locking mechanism at the bottom of the handles is easy to operate, even while wearing gloves, and won't accidentally engage while you're working. As with all hakaribasami, these are for soft, fresh growth only. Don't be tempted to cut old, woody stems, wire or anything else that puts excessive strain on the blades. The steel is beautifully sharp and easy to sharpen, but it is deliberately hard and can be brittle if the tool is misused. Treat them as precision cutting tools rather than something to hack your way through the garden with. Tobisho pruning tools are the crème de la crème in the Japanese gardening world. Made in a small, family-run factory in Yamagata, an area famous for the quality of its steel, every tool is drop forged with incredible attention to detail. They have wonderful weight and balance and are an absolute pleasure to use.