Item Title
Description
๐ฟ Product Description
The Kaneshin No.41A Hand-Forged Long-Blade Bonsai Scissors are premium traditional Japanese bonsai scissors made with Yasugi Blue Paper Steel (Aogami / Blue Steel).
Featuring the classic Japanese bonsai-scissor shape with an extended 65mm (2.56 in) blade, these scissors are designed for bud trimming, small twig pruning, and general bonsai maintenance.
The longer blade provides additional reach, allowing the user to access pruning points deeper within foliage and branch structures while retaining the familiar handling of traditional bonsai scissors.
Each No.41A is completely hand forged, reflecting the long tradition of Japanese edged-tool craftsmanship.
Overall Length: Approx. 200mm (7.87 in)
Blade Length: Approx. 65mm (2.56 in)
Because each pair is hand forged, slight variations in dimensions and finish may naturally occur.
Made in Japan by Kaneshin.
โจ Features
- Traditional Japanese bonsai scissors
- Long-blade design
- Completely hand forged
- Premium Yasugi Blue Paper Steel / Aogami
- 200mm overall length
- Long 65mm blade
- Excellent reach into bonsai foliage
- Suitable for bud trimming
- Suitable for small twig pruning
- Useful for general bonsai maintenance
- Traditional Japanese craftsmanship
- Made in Japan
๐ง Specifications
Brand: Kaneshin
Model: No.41A
Product Type: Hand-Forged Long-Blade Bonsai Scissors
Steel: Yasugi Blue Paper Steel / Aogami (Blue Steel)
Overall Length: Approx. 200mm (7.87 in)
Blade Length: Approx. 65mm (2.56 in)
Manufacturing Method: Hand Forged
Recommended Use: Bud Trimming / Small Twig Pruning / General Bonsai Maintenance
Country of Manufacture: Japan
Please Note: As each pair is hand forged, slight variations in dimensions and finish may occur.
โญ What Makes the No.41A Special?
The No.41A combines three important characteristics:
๐ต Yasugi Blue Paper Steel
A premium Japanese high-carbon blade steel traditionally used for high-quality cutting tools.
๐จ Completely Hand-Forged Construction
Each pair is produced using traditional forging techniques rather than being simply stamped from sheet steel.
๐ก๏ธ Long 65mm Blade
The extended blade provides greater reach than shorter bonsai scissors, making it easier to access cutting points deeper within the tree.
Together, these characteristics make the No.41A a particularly attractive choice for enthusiasts who appreciate traditional Japanese craftsmanship and premium blade steel.
๐ก๏ธ Long-Blade Bonsai Scissor Design
The No.41A retains the classic shape of traditional Japanese bonsai scissors while using a relatively long 65mm blade.
A longer blade can be particularly useful when working around:
- Dense foliage
- Interior branches
- Deeper areas of the canopy
- Closely spaced shoots
- Larger bonsai structures
Instead of forcing the entire hand deeper into the tree, the longer cutting section can provide additional reach.
This makes the No.41A especially useful for routine pruning and refinement where access is important.
๐ฑ Recommended Bonsai Work
The No.41A is designed primarily for pruning and refinement tasks such as:
๐ฑ Bud Trimming
Useful for removing unwanted buds and controlling new growth.
โ๏ธ Small Twig Pruning
Suitable for routine pruning of small branches and twigs.
๐ General Refinement
The long blade can help reach selected growth within foliage and branch structures.
๐ณ Routine Bonsai Maintenance
A versatile traditional scissor for regular seasonal maintenance.
For significantly thicker branches, we recommend using an appropriate bonsai branch cutter or pruning shear rather than forcing the scissors.
๐จ Completely Hand-Forged Japanese Scissors
The No.41A is described by Kaneshin as a completely hand-forged scissor, traditionally formed from a single iron bar.
This differs from many modern mass-produced scissors whose basic shape may be stamped or cut from sheet metal.
Traditional Japanese forging involves repeatedly working and shaping the material to create the finished tool.
The construction combines characteristics intended to provide an effective balance between:
Hardness
โ Important for maintaining a sharp cutting edge
and
Toughness
โ Important for practical durability during use
This concept has deep roots in traditional Japanese edged-tool craftsmanship.
๐ต What Is Yasugi Blue Paper Steel?
The No.41A uses Yasugi Blue Paper Steel, known in Japanese as:
้็ด โ Aogami
It is also commonly called:
- Blue Paper Steel
- Blue Steel
- Yasugi Blue Steel
Yasugi specialty steels have a strong reputation in Japanese edged-tool manufacturing and are used in premium knives, woodworking tools, gardening tools, and other cutting instruments.
Blue Paper Steel is valued for its combination of high hardness, excellent edge performance, and good edge retention when properly heat treated and maintained.
๐ฏ๐ต The Origin of โBlue Paper Steelโ
The word โBlueโ does not mean that the steel itself is blue.
Traditional Japanese specialty steels were identified using different colored paper labels.
This led to familiar names such as:
๐ต Blue Paper Steel โ Aogami
โช White Paper Steel โ Shirogami
๐ก Yellow Paper Steel โ Kigami
The colored-paper terminology became widely recognized among Japanese craftsmen and continues to be used today when describing traditional Japanese blade steels.
โ๏ธ Yasugi Steel & Japanese Edged-Tool Tradition
Yasugi steel takes its name from Yasugi, Shimane Prefecture, a region strongly associated with Japan's historic iron and steelmaking traditions.
The region is closely connected with the history of tamahagane, the traditional steel associated with Japanese swordmaking.
Modern Yasugi specialty steels continue this Japanese tradition of producing carefully controlled steels for high-quality edged tools.
The No.41A brings this heritage into a practical bonsai tool designed for regular use rather than simply display or collection.
๐ต Blue Paper Steel vs. White Paper Steel
Both Blue Paper Steel and White Paper Steel are highly respected Japanese blade steels, but they are not identical.
๐ต Blue Paper Steel / Aogami
Generally associated with:
- High hardness
- Excellent edge retention
- Premium Japanese cutting tools
- Long-lasting cutting performance with proper use
โช White Paper Steel / Shirogami
Also widely used in traditional Japanese cutting tools and valued for its fine cutting characteristics and sharpening response.
Neither material is simply โbetterโ for every applicationโthe appropriate steel depends on the tool design, heat treatment, and intended use.
The No.41A specifically uses Blue Paper Steel / Aogami.
โ ๏ธ Important Note About the Original Japanese Description
The supplied Japanese product information contains a contradictory sentence near the end stating that โWhite Paper Steel is used for these scissors.โ
However, the specific product name and steel specification for the No.41A clearly identify it as Blue Paper Steel (Aogami / ้็ดใป้้ผ).
Therefore, this listing follows the model-specific specification:
๐ Kaneshin No.41A = Yasugi Blue Paper Steel / Aogami
The White Paper Steel sentence appears to be general text carried over from the description of another hand-forged Kaneshin model and has not been applied to the No.41A listing.
โซ Blue Paper Steel Is NOT Stainless Steel
Yasugi Blue Paper Steel is a high-carbon tool steel, not stainless steel.
It therefore requires appropriate care.
After use:
- Remove sap and plant residue
- Wipe the blades clean
- Dry the scissors thoroughly
- Apply a thin coating of suitable tool oil
- Lubricate the pivot periodically
- Store in a clean, dry environment
Do not leave moisture or plant sap on the blades for extended periods, as corrosion may occur.
๐๏ธ Natural Characteristics of Hand-Forged Tools
Because the No.41A is individually hand forged, minor differences may occur between individual pairs.
These can include slight variations in:
- Overall length
- Blade dimensions
- Surface appearance
- Forging marks
- Finish
The stated 200mm overall length and 65mm blade length are approximate.
These small variations are natural characteristics of handmade Japanese tools and do not necessarily indicate manufacturing defects.
โ ๏ธ Important Use Instructions
- Designed for bud trimming and small twig pruning.
- Do not use the scissors to cut bonsai wire.
- Use dedicated wire cutters for copper and aluminum wire.
- Do not force the blades through excessively thick branches.
- Avoid twisting the blades during cutting.
- Use a branch cutter or pruning shear for heavier branches.
- Clean and dry the blades after every use.
- Blue Paper Steel requires regular rust-prevention maintenance.
๐งด Care Instructions
To maintain your No.41A:
- Remove sap and plant residue after use.
- Wipe the blades clean.
- Dry thoroughly.
- Apply a thin layer of tool oil.
- Lubricate the pivot when necessary.
- Store in a dry location.
- Sharpen appropriately when required.
Proper maintenance will help preserve the cutting performance of the premium Blue Paper Steel blades.
๐ฏ๐ต Kaneshin No.41A โ Traditional Japanese Craftsmanship
The No.41A combines:
๐ต Premium Yasugi Blue Paper Steel / Aogami
๐จ Completely Hand-Forged Construction
๐ก๏ธ Long 65mm Blade
๐ 200mm Traditional Bonsai Scissor Design
๐ฑ Bud & Small Twig Pruning Versatility
๐ฏ๐ต Japanese Edged-Tool Craftsmanship
For bonsai enthusiasts looking for more than a standard pair of scissors, the Kaneshin No.41A offers a compelling combination of premium Japanese steel, traditional hand forging, and a long-blade design created for practical bonsai work.
Made in Japan.
๐ฆ Shipping
- Carefully packed
- Ships directly from Japan
- Tracking number provided