Niwaki Pro tools - Are they any good?

[ceriano]

Does anybody know who manufactures Niwaki pro tools? Are they decent?
One of our local outdoor gear stores has them on sale 30-40% off.

Niwaki GR Pro Topiary Clippers - Hand forged in Japan

Hand forged topiary clippers for box, yew and other topiary. For use when large shears are too cumbersome and you need a nice spring for faster work

www.niwaki.com

Niwaki GR Pro Secateurs - Our Best Selling Secateur

Fabulous hand forged garden secateur pruners for use all over the garden. Offering refined craftsmanship and functional usability

www.niwaki.com

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

I’m sure these are awesome.

However they also appear to be about 20-25% overpriced compared to many other quality similar items in the market.

Over the years I’ve used many hedge trimmers and secateurs. Here’s what I’ve learned.

a. Dont buy until you’ve at least held them and felt the balance of the tool, with and without your favorite garden gloves on.

Most hedge trimmers in particular are a bit unbalanced for my tastes. This results in fatigue and miscues when pruning.
Many secateurs dont fit my hand properly.

b. Sooner or later you will have to sharpen/oil the blades of both, and disinfect/clean sooner, no matter the quality. Be sure to do this properly. A well done job can make an inexpensive tool work brilliantly and a quality tool a blunt instrument. There are plenty of decent videos on YouTube showing how this is done sharpening Felcos. I use Felcos as they are easy to take apart, clean and sharpen. Especially with the 903 stone.

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[ceriano]

I’m sure these are awesome.

However they also appear to be about 20-25% overpriced compared to many other quality similar items in the market.

Over the years I’ve used many hedge trimmers and secateurs. Here’s what I’ve learned.

a. Dont buy until you’ve at least held them and felt the balance of the tool, with and without your favorite garden gloves on.

Most hedge trimmers in particular are a bit unbalanced for my tastes. This results in fatigue and miscues when pruning.
Many secateurs dont fit my hand properly.

b. Sooner or later you will have to sharpen/oil the blades of both, and disinfect/clean sooner, no matter the quality. Be sure to do this properly. A well done job can make an inexpensive tool work brilliantly and a quality tool a blunt instrument. There are plenty of decent videos on YouTube showing how this is done sharpening Felcos. I use Felcos as they are easy to take apart, clean and sharpen. Especially with the 903 stone.

Cheers
DSD sends

I can get them for the same price as Felco, about $50 or so.
Does Felco still offer restoration?

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Good to hear, it’s your money your call.

I worked with at least half a dozen secateurs over the years before I landed on Felco’s. No reason why you shouldn’t try a bunch either.. Like I said, they have to fit you.

Best
DSD sends

 

[ceriano]

Looks like the pro range is made by Kudo family. I haven't heard of them before but may worth a shot!

 

[ceriano]

Good to hear, it’s your money your call.

I worked with at least half a dozen secateurs over the years before I landed on Felco’s. No reason why you shouldn’t try a bunch either.. Like I said, they have to fit you.

Best
DSD sends

I feel Felco will probably out live any Japanese carbon steel pruner.

 

[cbroad]

One of our local outdoor gear stores has them on sale 30-40% off.

Do you mind saying which store around here is selling them?

Thanks

 

[ceriano]

Do you mind saying which store around here is selling them?

Thanks

Shop Niwaki Online

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huckberry.com

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Most hedge trimmers in particular are a bit unbalanced for my tastes. This results in fatigue and miscues when pruning

My dad asks me every year to prune two apple trees.
They're each about 7 foot tall and wide, and we have to take breaks to give our upper arms some rest. But these kind of exercises separate the good from the bad fast.
Part of the reason why I skip most Japanese tools all together. Ergonomics are a big factor, especially when having to make the right cut in an awkward position.
Craftsmanship or not, if it handles like a snake on fire after five minutes, I'd rather go for whatever the local hardware store is selling.
I'm a big fan of Gardena brand tools. But I don't know if they're sold in the US.

 

[ceriano]

My dad asks me every year to prune two apple trees.
They're each about 7 foot tall and wide, and we have to take breaks to give our upper arms some rest. But these kind of exercises separate the good from the bad fast.
Part of the reason why I skip most Japanese tools all together. Ergonomics are a big factor, especially when having to make the right cut in an awkward position.
Craftsmanship or not, if it handles like a snake on fire after five minutes, I'd rather go for whatever the local hardware store is selling.
I'm a big fan of Gardena brand tools. But I don't know if they're sold in the US.

Thanks this helps a lot. I guess Felco 2 it is then.

 

[ceriano]

Thanks this helps a lot. I guess Felco 2 it is then.

Life is short I got a pair of Niwaki too! I must say the fit and finish is very nice. Probably not as functional as felco tho

 

[penumbra]

I have several pairs of Felco #2. They were standard issue at every nursery I have worked for. My older ones are 50 years old and I still use them.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Yep.

You can even get replacement blades and parts kits etc for Felcos! I love mine.

My wife got a pair of Japanese knockoff Felcos called “Seymour Smith”. They are a pain to service,screws made out of not so good metal, easily strippable, spring rusts easily and plastic lock nut. Blade doesn’t stay locked shut. Ugh!


cheers
DSD sends

 

[ceriano]

After trying both I’d say if I could only keep one (I’d be sad) it’d be the felco.

 

[calzeno96]

Does anybody know who manufactures Niwaki pro tools? Are they decent?
One of our local outdoor gear stores has them on sale 30-40% off.

Niwaki GR Pro Topiary Clippers - Hand forged in Japan

Hand forged topiary clippers for box, yew and other topiary. For use when large shears are too cumbersome and you need a nice spring for faster work

www.niwaki.com

Niwaki GR Pro Secateurs - Our Best Selling Secateur

Fabulous hand forged garden secateur pruners for use all over the garden. Offering refined craftsmanship and functional usability

www.niwaki.com

Been doing niwaki for a little over 9 years, and I've tried felcos, and other brands (japanese,German, American, Taiwan, Indonesia etc...), And I found the best secateurs to be Okatsune. There's a reason they're the japanese garden professionals choice pruner. On Amazon they're like $40. They work the best, and the simple construction prevents longevity issues. I've cut 1.25" Japanese maple branches many times with them with only mild difficulty.