How to make your garden scissors last Keeping your hand-forged Japanese tools in good condition doesn’t just extend their life—it helps them work better, feel better in hand, and honour the craftsmanship behind them. Whether you’re using secateurs, shears, or garden knives, proper maintenance keeps them performing at their best and helps prevent long-term wear. We’re often asked: Here’s our step-by-step guide to caring for your tools—both daily and monthly. Daily Maintenance – The Simple Habit That Matters 1. Wipe after every use. Always. Moisture is the enemy of any blade. If your tools get wet—either from plant sap or water - the best practice is wipe them dry immediately with a clean cloth. 2. Sap matters too. Some plants, like jasmine, release a heavy sap that ... Continue Reading
garden tool care
Tea, Tools, and Tradition: A Garden Tool Care Workshop at Kings Cross Community Garden
On a crisp Autumn morning in Sydney—after a week of relentless rain—we were fortunate to be welcomed by sunshine and the warm company of fellow gardening enthusiasts at Kings Cross Community Garden. The occasion? A garden tool care workshop followed by a hands-on introduction to our handcrafted Japanese gardening tools and Japanese craftsmanship. What made the day even more special was that it also happened to be our wedding anniversary. While it might not be the most conventional way to celebrate, sharing our mission and love for craftsmanship with such a kind community felt deeply rewarding—and worth every minute. A GARDEN TOOL CARE WorkshoP by Horticulturist The first half of the event focused on tool maintenance, led by Yuta, our trusted tool expert from Greenfriends Gardens. ... Continue Reading
Things You Didn’t Know About Camellia Oil
Our customers buy this camellia oil primarily for the scissors they purchase. But should it just be used as tool oil? What else is camellia oil good for? One thing I want to shout in bold here is that our camellia oil is edible grade. So it is actually ideal to eat but at least use on your hands, hair, heels, elbows, lips… everywhere on your body. What is more unknown is that camellia oil contains fat called oleic acid and that is the closest fat to human skin, more than any other oils available. It is the most natural oil you can consume. Good Oil Made Available by Good People Japanese have used this for 1,200 years. Our oil comes from an NPO in Kagoshima where one of the most active volcanoes is in the world. The community there is too often threatened by eruptions which ... Continue Reading