Yoshioka Karikomi Hedge Shears

Yoshioka Karikomi Hedge Shears

$290.00

Hand-forged in Ono, Hyōgo by Yoshioka Hamono, these Karikomi hedge shears are balanced for clean, fast shaping of hedges and rounded shrubs in the classic Japanese karikomi style. Stocked in 270 mm and 300 mm, other sizes available to order on request.

270 mm = precise shaping. 300 mm = more coverage on flats.

EAST WEST TOOLS QUALITY GUARANTEE

We stand behind the quality of our tools with a 30-day return policy
and support for exchanges or repairs when needed. Read the full policy here.

SHIPPING

We dispatch every weekday from Perth.
Orders over $250 ship FREE over $100 for our local legends.
Regular: $12.50 Express: $19.00 Read the full shipping policy here.

PRODUCT CARE

Proper care keeps your tools performing for decades. Read the full guide.

 

    Every order plants 1 tree and removes 1 plastic bottle from the ocean.
    Leave a review and we’ll plant another tree in your name.  

Description

Fast, Clean Cuts for Classic Karikomi Shaping

Built in Ono, Hyōgo by Yoshioka Hamono, Karikomi shears are purpose-made for shaping soft, rounded forms and levelling hedges with speed and control. Blades are hand-forged from Yasugi carbon steel, White or Blue depending on size, and paired with lightweight handles for long sessions with less fatigue.

Available in professional sizes from 150 mm to 300 mm measured screw-center to tip, the shorter options excel at tight trimming, while longer blades cover ground quickly and leave a flatter face on hedges. A durable 10 mm screw and nut joint keeps the action true, and the traditional grind delivers crisp cuts that heal cleanly.

Pair with our Garden Tool Maintenance Kit for cleaning and oiling, and keep a bottle of camellia oil on hand to protect the steel between sessions.

Tip: Karikomi means shaping shrubs into soft, rounded forms. These shears are the traditional choice for that technique.

Specifications
  • Sizes stocked: 270 mm and 300 mm
  • Steel stocked: Blue Paper Steel (Aogami No.2) for longer edge retention under professional use
  • Other sizes and steels available to order: 150, 180, 210, 240 mm — contact us for availability
  • Steel options: Yasugi White Paper Steel (Shirogami) or Blue Paper Steel (Aogami), model dependent
  • Handles: Straight or nata-style depending on size, lightweight and balanced
  • Joint: 10 mm screw with locking nut
  • Origin: Ono, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
  • Maker: Yoshioka Hamono
  • Use: Karikomi shaping, soft-form trimming, hedge maintenance
Maintenance

Clean sap and debris after each session, dry fully, and apply a thin coat of camellia oil. Sharpen on a fine whetstone while maintaining the original bevel angle. If action loosens, adjust the 10 mm screw and lock nut until tension feels smooth but firm. Avoid cutting woody stems or metal wire to preserve edge integrity.
🌱 Share your experience — every review plants another tree.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which size should I choose, 270 mm or 300 mm?

270 mm is better for tight shaping and detail control. 300 mm covers more hedge face per pass for faster levelling. Pick based on precision needed versus speed.

Are Karikomi shears only for soft growth?

Yes, they are tuned for soft, rounded forms and hedge tips. For thicker or woody stems, switch to secateurs or loppers to protect the edge.

What steel do these use and how does it affect performance?

Blades are forged from Yasugi carbon steel. Blue Paper Steel holds an edge longer under heavy use, while White Paper Steel takes a sharper, more responsive edge for precision trimming.

How should I maintain the edge and joint?

Clean sap, dry fully, and oil after use. Touch up on a fine whetstone and keep stones flat. If the action loosens, snug the 10 mm screw and lock the nut to hold alignment.

You may also like
Close-up of a metal forging process with sparks and glowing metal.

Introducing

Yoshioka Hamono

Based in Ono, Hyogo, Yoshioka Hamono has made edged tools since 1946, when founder Kihachi Yoshioka began with dressmaking scissors. From 1973 the workshop focused on garden tools, including hedge shears and secateurs. Production remains small scale, with blades in Yasugi carbon steels such as Shirogami and Aogami, assembled on a stout 10 mm screw and locknut. Blade length is measured from the screw’s center to the tip, the professional convention. Each pair is hand finished, with craftsmen correcting tiny variances and adjusting the joint until the action runs true.

In use, Yoshioka’s shears feel fast and controlled rather than heavy. Thin, keen blades and careful joint fitting give a clean slice that leaves hedges crisp; the longer versions are specifically suited to aligning flat hedge faces, while shorter sizes flow around mounded forms. That balance matches karikomi, the Japanese practice of shaping soft, rounded shrubs, where consistent geometry and a polished finish matter more than brute force. The result is a tool that stays sharp, tracks straight through foliage, and reduces fatigue over long sessions.

Explore Hedge Shears

What Sets Our Tools Apart

Mass Produced Shears

Mass-produced with softer steels and pressed joints, these shears lose sharpness quickly, flex under load, and are rarely repairable. Fine for occasional yard work, but not for years of precise pruning.

Hand-Forged by Yoshioka Hamono

Forged in Ono, Hyōgo and tuned for clean cutting, Karikomi shears use Yasugi carbon steel, a traditional grind, and a secure 10 mm screw joint. The result is crisp, controllable cuts and long service life.

White vs Blue Paper Steel

Yasugi White Paper Steel (Shirogami) is very pure and takes an extremely fine edge, great for razor-sharp finishing. Blue Paper Steel (Aogami) adds alloying for improved wear resistance, which holds an edge longer under heavy use. Yoshioka offers both across the Karikomi sizes, so you can match steel to your work.

Subscribe to our emails

Subscribe to the newsletter for exclusive early access to new products and special offers.