Tobisho Hirei Pruning Shears

Tobisho Hirei Pruning Shears

$250.00

Tobisho Hirei is a compact 165 mm pruner built in Yamagata for clean, detailed cuts. Asari set on both blades supports sharpness and durability. Ideal for fine pruning and smaller hands. Perth dispatch with practical setup and sharpening guidance.

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.

 

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Description

Compact Japanese pruners for smooth, precise cuts


Built in Yamagata and stocked in Australia, the Tobisho Hirei is a 165 mm pruning shear shaped for detailed work on fruit trees and garden trees. We dispatch from Perth and support the tool with straightforward setup and sharpening advice so it keeps a crisp edge through the season.


Hirei was developed from grower feedback asking for a compact tool that bites cleanly on thin, hard branches. The blades are forged in carbon steel and tuned with an asari set on both the cutting blade and the receiving blade to combine sharpness with durability. The shorter length improves control around spurs and collars and suits users with smaller hands. Finish and fit follow Tobisho standards with a positive spring, secure catch, and a serviceable centre joint that tracks true in live wood.

Tip: keep the inside faces flat when cleaning; preserving the meeting line helps the shears slice rather than wedge.

Specifications
  • Sizes stocked: 165 mm
  • Steel stocked: Japanese Carbon steel
  • Other sizes available to order: See related patterns in Tobisho
  • Handles: Traditional steel handles sized for secure control
  • Joint: Serviceable centre joint tuned for smooth action
Maintenance

After use, wipe sap and dirt from the blades, dry the tool properly and apply a small amount of camellia oil to the blade and pivot. Clean heavy sap with YaniPika Sap Cleaner before oiling.

For sharpening and ongoing care, use the Japanese tool care and sharpening range. Browse related tools in Japanese secateurs and pruning shears.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What jobs suit the 165 mm size?

Fine pruning on fruit trees and ornamentals, detail work around spurs and collars, and as a main pruner for smaller hands. The compact length improves control without excess weight.

What does the asari set do?

Asari is a controlled set on the cutting and receiving blades. It supports a keen entry and durable tracking, helping the cut slice cleanly instead of crushing tissue.

How does Hirei differ from similar Tobisho models?

Hirei prioritises compactness and sharp response for thin, hard branches. It was developed from field feedback and tuned for fine control, while larger models trade some nimbleness for leverage.

What maintenance is recommended?

Wipe sap, dry and oil the pivot after work. Touch up the bevel on a fine waterstone before drag appears. For broader guidance see our Care & Maintenance post and compare options in Japanese Secateurs.

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Introducing

Tobisho

Tobisho forges pruning tools in Yamagata, drawing on regional blade work and a long tradition of hand finishing. Each shear is built through many individual steps, with attention to the grind, joint fit, and spring feel. Hirei comes from direct grower feedback that asked for compact size and sharp response in thin, hard wood. We stock in Australia and dispatch from Perth, combining maker craft with local support on setup and care.

What sets Tobisho apart is practical refinement. Edges are tuned to bite without forcing and joints are serviceable for long life. Hirei adds asari set to both blades to merge sharpness with durability in a compact frame. The result is a controlled cut that leaves a tidy finish on fruit trees and ornamentals. Explore sizes and steels across the range to match leverage, edge life, and handling to your pruning work.

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What Sets Our Tools Apart

Compact control for detailed pruning

Hirei was shaped for growers who needed a smaller shear that still cuts hard, thin wood cleanly. At 165 mm it sits light in the hand and moves accurately in dense branching, around collars, and on tip work. The shorter frame reduces fatigue and suits users with smaller hands or anyone who prefers tighter control over leverage. If most of your cuts are fine, this size helps you place the edge exactly where you want it without forcing. For heavier cuts, consider stepping up in the Tobisho range to gain extra power at the expense of some agility.

Asari set and sharp, durable edges

Hirei combines a keen entry with dependable tracking by adding a controlled asari set to both the cutting blade and the receiving blade. This setup supports sharpness and durability at the same time, so the edge bites quickly and stays on line in live wood. The carbon steel responds well to fine stones and returns to sharp with minimal effort. Keep the inside faces flat and focus your touch up on the bevel to maintain the meeting line. The result is clean cuts with less crush and faster healing, which is the point of a good pruner in day to day work.

Simple care, season after season

Routine care keeps performance consistent. Wipe sap as you work, dry the tool at the end of the day, and add a drop of oil to the pivot. Touch the bevel on a fine waterstone before dullness sets in and you will keep the feel of a fresh grind without a full rework. When comparing patterns, materials, and maintenance kit, browse Tobisho for related models and see Japanese Secateurs for alternatives and accessories. These habits protect the edge, preserve the joint feel, and help your pruner give clean, repeatable results through the season.