Shogun Tools

07/05/2026

Bonsai Wire Cutter - The harigane kiri was designed for precision around living branches.

Its rounded head profile allows close wire cutting with greater control and less risk of damaging bark or new shoots — making it useful not only for bonsai, but also for roses, espalier fruit trees, and delicate garden work.

A traditional Japanese end-cutting tool made for gardeners who value craftsmanship and care.

23/04/2026

22/04/2026

Handmade by Kudo.
True minimalist clippers.

‘Best tool ever.’

09/04/2026

You’ve seen our Cut K**a—this is its cousin, made by Matsuo Hamono.

The Nejiri K**a has a wider, straight blade that glides just under the soil, lifting weeds from the roots.

Super satisfying… until you realise you’ve uncovered an sweet potato 😅🍠

The weather’s starting to show its true autumn tones here in Brisbane.
How’s your autumn gardening going? 🍂

09/03/2026

These Onoyoshi carbon steel secateurs are 8 years old.

They belong to a nursery owner who bought them from us at the Queensland Garden Expo in 2017 and has used them almost every day since.

Over time, the steel handles have developed a beautiful natural sheen. In fact, they almost look like stainless steel rather than carbon steel.

This happens when a tool is used and cared for regularly. Daily use, wiping the tool clean, light oiling, and even the natural oils from the gardener’s hands gradually condition the steel surface.

The metal slowly becomes smoother, develops a stable patina, and holds a thin protective layer of oil — all of which help reduce rust.

Carbon steel still needs care.
Leave it wet or dirty and it can rust.

But when looked after properly, a good tool can age beautifully for many years.

Good tools don’t just last.
They grow with the gardener who uses them.

And one more tip for gardeners who use their secateurs every day:
Don’t lose the seccies — a pouch helps keep them handy.

17/02/2026

Another one of Maki’s essential weeding tools

The Cut K**a is our best sickle for weeding in garden beds. Many customers say it feels like an extension of their arm.

Unlike the back-serrated sickle, you sharpen the Cut K**a from the back side.
You can use a small whetstone or a diamond sharpener — this video shows the whetstone method.

The Cut K**a doesn’t need frequent sharpening — its curved shape is designed to pull weeds from the root. But if you’d like to refresh the edge, here’s how to do it.

13/02/2026

Topiary shears feature longer blades.
They’re designed to work across a surface, not point by point.
Perfect for fine detailing and finishing hedges and topiaries.

11/02/2026

One of Maki’s essential gardening tools 

I use this Back-Serrated Sickle a lot for cutting down tall weeds and tackling Glycine vines.
Many serrated sickles only have teeth at the tip, which makes them hard to sharpen.

The Takemoto back-serrated sickle has deep teeth along the back, so you can sharpen from the front and let the serrations reveal themselves — making sharpening much easier.

This video shows how to sharpen it with a small whetstone (diamond-plated sharpener works too).

Happy Gardening!

29/01/2026

Ever wondered what camellia oil is?
This traditional Japanese oil has been used for generations to protect steel tools.

✔️ Helps prevent rust
✔️ Gentle on steel
✔️ Ideal for regular tool maintenance

We use camellia oil to keep blades clean, smooth, and ready for work — no fuss, just effective care rooted in Japanese tradition.

15/01/2026

First post of 2026
Sh**un Tools is committed to helping you find the right tools for your gardening tasks and improving your gardening experience. We’ll do our best to offer tools that make your work easier — and respond to your requests for the tools you need.

If you have any questions, Maki — who connects Australian gardeners with Japanese blacksmiths — and Alex, commercial gardener and horticulturist, are here to help 😀

Exciting updates:
- New product arrival: Hori Hori Long Handle — designed for long reach and double-grip use, perfect for longer garden beds. Many of you requested this! The custom leather pouch is due next week.

- This year, we’re planning regular pop-up markets at our local STIHL shop. Brisbane gardeners, take note!

Stay tuned for more tools, tips, and gardening solutions this year.