Sentei-basami (Heavy Pruning Shears)

Sentei-basami

Description

Sentei-basami are heavy-duty, spring-loaded Japanese bypass pruning shears. Forged in Yamagata, Tsubame-Sanjo and Tosa, these shears are valued by many arborists for their ability to sever thick woody branches up to 15mm with minimal hand pressure. Yamagata is often associated with the clam-shaped edge (Hamaguri-ba).

Best For

✓ Cutting thick branches

✓ Gardening and landscaping

✓ Fruit tree pruning

✓ Bonsai trunk styling

Blade Characteristics

Heavy-duty forged construction with carbon steel for tough cuts.
Integrated V-shaped leaf spring for automatic open assistance.
Leather locking strap at the handle base for safe storage.
High-contrast hand-finished bevels for maximum sharpness.
Some regions like Yamagata utilize low-temperature forging and lead bath heat treatments for unparalleled density and a friction-reducing clam-shaped edge (Hamaguri-ba).

Steel Recommendations

For this type of blade, professional makers typically suggest: High-carbon stainless steel (such as SUS420J2) combined with specialized forging to provide durable shear retention.

Famous Regions

This cutlery type is famously forged and crafted in: