That’s what I figured, precisely. Okay, thank you. I’ll buy them.
I can’t wait to read your review. I do hope you prefer the ARS so I don’t have to purchase an Okie. I just bought a new pair of the ARS.
I’ll review.
Thank you Alan!
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I’m sure you noticed the business name was Lean Scheme Limited. Did smile at that name when I saw it “Scheme” is not what I would call my company. If you were there when i read you would have saw my eyebrows go up. Dismissed it as harmless since its not uncommon http://www.schemerestaurant.com/
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Perhaps they expected buyers to take the name as meaning they keep their prices lean- that is their business plan. I don’t know how the hell they got me the real thing at that price though. If it was a Japanese company it would make more sense.
I wasn’t even looking at the price, particularly, it just seemed low but it wasn’t all that important to me. Pruning tools seem a minor expense when gas is costing me about $85 per week.
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I do hope he prefers the okatsunes so I don’t have to buy a pair of ARS 
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My impression is that in some countries, the term scheme doesn’t have the negative connotations it does in the US. I’m thinking Europe, maybe UK.
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‘Scheme’ could mean a few things in the UK. As a noun it could mean the same as ‘plan’.
As a verb it would normally be negative as in to plot in a devious/evil way
I sent an email to the main Growtech site asking about the ARS pruners. This is what their reply was:
"Thank you for reaching out to us! We do have this model available – it is part number HP-VS8XZ. They are in stock.
You can purchase online through many of our dealers selling into the professional green industry – Gemplers (Gemplers.com), AM Leonard (amleo.com), and OESCO (oescoinc.com) to name a few. You can also purchase online through www.wood-avenue.com."
Just a FYI for those that want the real item and not worry about getting a knockoff. I ordered one from Amazon and have yet to receive it. Once I do I will check and see if it is a knockoff. If it is then back it goes for a refund. I am not wasting my money on junk or knockoffs. There are companies that thrive on knockoffs. I will not support them if I know it is a knockoff.
I did order these pruners as well. They are supposed to be here Friday.
Okatsune 103 Bypass Pruners General Purpose Medium
Their business address:
Business Name:Yokoshima Limited
Business Address:
60-6-301,Ooyamahigashi-Cyo
Itabashi-Ku
Tokyo
173-0014
JP
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Yeah, I think we’re talking about the noun in this context.
How do you intend to determine whether the “ARS” pruners they send you are genuine or knock-offs?
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I will look at the box it comes in and see if the " English" is correct. Where the shipping label says it is from. I think either Lowe’s or Home Depot carries these, compare what their version looks like. I am sure their product costs more there. ( I actually do not know these stores actually carry them, btw) If I am unsure I will send them back.
What the NY Times said distinguishes the genuine article is the fact that it will cleanly cut green onions. A less finished product could never do than- blade and hook have to match almost perfectly.
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If you already have an ARS, as I do, just lay them side
by side, as I did. You’ll immediately see the differences.
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I wish I had a real ( authentic) pair to compare them side by side against.
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I have several pair of ARS, at least one of which shipped from Japan, but the least expensive was $28 (several years ago). I can’t tell the difference between them. I’m very curious to compare these new ones.
Alan, I plan to do some green onions. I expect they will cut cleanly when sharp. The feel and fit is very good. My only question is about the steel. But I think the ARS uses high carbon steel, not stainless. Even cheap high carbon steel performs well - other than rust and such.
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I figured what the heck, my current pruners have seen their better days. Ordered a pair of ARS VS-8XZ for $29.50 From Amazon (KingtingUS who gives an address in China). Yeah I suspected the likelihood of a fake was fairly high… No tracking information on Amazon yet, says will be delivered by April 21. They showed up today.
The handles look to have been dipped in some of that rubber grip coating stuff. It’s pretty good, but not perfectly smooth.
Even though I ordered model VS-8XZ there is a prominent “VS-8” printed on them. As well as “Made in Japan”.
Nonetheless, they do work very well. I found some wild onions and they cut them easily and smoothly. Will test them out a little more thoroughly in the coming days.
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Those look like the ones I received. I’ve used them
once and they’re OK, but the locking mechanism
barely works, and they don’t cut as well as ARS.
You can feel the difference.
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Some Ars pruners frequently have an issue with their locking mechanism. The knockoffs in some cases are pretty good fakes. The steel is the key to everything ARS are razor sharp and the steel is hard. Ars will get less nicks in the blade and remain sharp. ARS have an easy squeeze to them like no other pruners. Feels like that you did no pruning at all after hundreds of cuts. Cheap pruners leave your hands and forearms in pain and can actually blister your thumb and index fingers after hundreds and hundreds of cuts.
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