The first Sokan was born in 1819 as a blacksmith of Japanese swords. When the samurai era ended and demand for sword-making collapsed, the workshop pivoted to shears - and by around 1880 had developed the pruning shear design that forms the basis of what they still produce today. That is nearly 150 years of refining a single tool, built on forging knowledge that predates the Meiji Restoration. Sokan products are made in Yamagata Prefecture, which has been a production center for forged agricultural and garden tools for generations.
The production method is explicitly traditional - the same forging discipline that went into sword-making applies here. A tapered screw joins the blades rather than a standard pivot, which means the blades maintain consistent alignment as they wear rather than loosening over time - a practical detail that becomes obvious in use. The steel is KA70, a high-carbon tool steel widely used in Japanese cutlery, finished by a seasoned craftsman who hand-sets the edge. At 8.6 oz and 210mm total length with 60mm blades, these are substantial, capable pruning shears with a locking mechanism at the handle base for safe carry and storage.
Care Instructions: High-carbon steel. Wipe and dry after use. Apply oil to the blades and the pivot before storage. Keep clean and dry - the steel will rust if left wet. The tapered screw joint can be adjusted if the blades develop any play over time.
The production method is explicitly traditional - the same forging discipline that went into sword-making applies here. A tapered screw joins the blades rather than a standard pivot, which means the blades maintain consistent alignment as they wear rather than loosening over time - a practical detail that becomes obvious in use. The steel is KA70, a high-carbon tool steel widely used in Japanese cutlery, finished by a seasoned craftsman who hand-sets the edge. At 8.6 oz and 210mm total length with 60mm blades, these are substantial, capable pruning shears with a locking mechanism at the handle base for safe carry and storage.
Care Instructions: High-carbon steel. Wipe and dry after use. Apply oil to the blades and the pivot before storage. Keep clean and dry - the steel will rust if left wet. The tapered screw joint can be adjusted if the blades develop any play over time.
- Brand: Sokan
- Established: 1819 (Yamagata Prefecture)
- Item: GO-AB302
- Steel: KA70 High-Carbon Tool Steel
- Weight: 8.6 oz (244 g)
- Blade Length: 60mm
- Total Length: 210mm
- Features: Tapered Screw Joint, Locking Handle Mechanism
