As @Tunamelt pointed out, this is not true. The picture on the right is older version VS-0Z with a single lock nut.
This is a parts list for VS-7Z, 8Z, 9Z model(s) from the official website; it can be seen that the counter blade does not have an additional hole for the adjustment system (circled in red):
@no07 and @Tunamelt
Very good info for both of you on the ARS, thank you. I was actually headed to the Stihl dealer later this afternoon to go pick up a pair of the PP 70 or maybe PP 80 which, based on this thread, is a private label ARS.
Should I pass if itās still the older model without the new adjustable lock system? It looks like Stihl website still uses the older design photo, but who knows if thatās been updated.
If so, where is legitimate place to get the new model ARS 8ā or 9"?
I was waiting for a reply from TK421. It looks to me like the sharp blade should be interchangeable between old and new model.
Even from TK421s picture of how to spot the fake, it looks like the genuine new model vs the genuine old model. The handles look cast from the same mold with identical surface condition. Even the same chamfer on the holes for the captured nuts.
The cutting surface of blades have identical shape, and the machine marks are identical. All of the surfaces have the same color, shape, texture, gloss, etc.
ARS still lists other models with the simple locknut instead of the updated version which I think came out around 2018.
I suspect that ARS still makes the older version for the Japanese domestic market. The pruners I have that were shipped directly from Japan are probably essentially grey market. Meaning they want a higher margin for exported models than what they can sell them for locally, and some folks take advantage of that by selling the Japanese market model through other channels.
It is abundantly clear to me that the ones I have are high quality. Like Iāve said, I significantly prefer them to my expensive, genuine Felcos. The machining is excellent and the steel is high quality and maintains its edge with the tradeoff of being harder to remove material in sharpenign because of its high hardness.
I enjoyed this review where this older model was pitted against others. The (older) ARS was by far the highest hardness, and also required the least cutting force, the Okatsune coming in close 2nd there. https://youtu.be/sEYpZfMVNIY?t=341
Having no experience with the Okatsune, perhaps they come in a larger size than reviewed here, which Iād expect would have a lower cutting force due to greater mechanical advantage.
I think I have different models, but I can also corroborate that Fiskars pruners suck. I really like some of their other tools (namely shovel and axe), so I was prejudiced in their favor.
I saw AM Leonard recently introduced a knockoff Okatsune, for the price I might try them. I really like Okatsune, they seem to stay sharp longer than ARS, but I abuse my pruners so itās probably not a concern for most people.
Those look really similar to the Spyder Phoenix āRed & Whiteā pruners. Iāve got a set of those for garden tasks for the kids, they are good for what they are.
I think itās funny that ratings seem to worry so much about how sharp pruners are out of the box. Iām much more worried about how long they stay sharp and how easy it is to sharpen them.
They come in 3 sizes.
101 for (super) small hands
103 for medium sized hands
104 for larger hands
The links below the video link to the 101 model. Hard to judge from the video. But Iām pretty sure itās either 101 or 103 model. Iām surprised by the 45HC hardness result in the video.
When sharpening mine. They felt way closer to my chefs knife (60+HC) than to other things. Okatsune themselves advertise with HC 60-61 and that seems about right from my experience. I Donāt have a clear explanation for the 45HC result from the video.
I can tell you though that when sharpening it barely made a burr. And behaved much more like the high hardness brittle steel of my chefs knife than it does an inox opinel for example.
your completely right. Same for knifes. I donāt care about āout of the box sharpnessā i care about how long it stays sharp and how well it sharpens.
saws on the other hand i would care more about āout of the boxā performance.
I donāt vouch for the reviewer, or the accuracy of his tests. I just happened upon the video and enjoyed watching. His methodology for judging the winner seemed suspect Iāve never held Okatsune, but agree that the result is surprising and perhaps suspect.
Yeah, out of box sharpness isnāt the most important thing, but the ARS are as sharp as I need for anything I do, and they arenāt as easy to sharpen as knives.
% of original sharpness lost after abuse seems much less important than cutting force, or even remaining sharpness after the same exposure.
Iāve never held Okatsune, but agree that the result is surprising and perhaps suspect.
