I gotta return due to such small size for a 7" pruner. However my first impression is these could be the best pruner I’ve ever seen. They’re heavy-made, meaning they are very well built. They feel like a powerful tool in my hand. I’m gonna have to get the 9".
Just throwing it out there for anyone still looking to purchase- I just checked ebay and there appears to be plenty of listings that come straight from Japan.
I’m concerned that anything we get might be counterfeit at this point. It might be best to wait until these counterfeiters get shut down. We could buy known good sellers like gamblers, am Leonard etc but they are very expensive. Once Amazon clears this up and the counterfeiters are shut down I think that we can purchase from their again.
They’re too small. I can’t even use them. You’d need use like 3-fingers only? I mean @rayrose has a valid point that Japanese hands may be small, but, I don’t get it?? It don’t make no sense. It makes non-sense to me.
Thanks @murky , Thanks @disc4tw . I’ll buy from Gemplers…
You’re right Alan. It’s ‘distinguishable’ from all others so far. It makes the Okatsune’s “appear” as less meat on the bone, but, the snap of the Okatsune is a tool that lasts a long time. I’ve finally gotten to where I can get a branch twisted up (because I’m trying to cut more than the tool is made for, most-frequently.) I think the ACS feels like a heavier Army tank at this moment. We’ll see. I ain’t cut yet.
Looks great and anything that keeps Amazon from absolute monopoly has my vote. Not that I don’t love Amazon for purchasing most stuff, but competition tends to keep people more honest.
I’ve got an update to bring up on the ARS pruners. The Asia only version of the ARS pruners are in fact different but authentic. The ones I ordered from the Japanese company are very good. They are so good in fact they seemed almost superior to my last ones of the same type. There are many differences. Contacted ARS again who said this
"Hello,
These are in fact original, but are only allowed to be sold in Asia. But for you this is not a problem. You have an original ARS pruner!"
For anyone not familiar with ARS my goal was to capture the striation marks in the steel with these photos that are a telling sign of a good steel blade. Notice the lack of gap as they close together perfectly. These are just backups for me since they are the lighter duty version. As @Barkslip mentioned 7" are small. This seller has authentic ARS pruners for $29.74 from Amazon.
It would seem that ARS wants their products to be available for less money in Asia than the U.S. as the market requires it. American consumers are in essence subsidizing gardeners in Asia, but the global marketplace makes it impossible for ARS to keep those lower prices where they want them. This will put pressure on them to lower prices to their legitimate U.S. distributors or raise them in Asia.
That’s the 130 model, which is sold in the USA.
It is not the heavy duty model that we’ve all been
discussing. It’s like comparing apples to oranges.
Furthermore, if it’s only allowed to be sold in Asia,
how did you get it?
When they say 130 are not heavy duty don’t misunderstand that, it’s not inferior steel. There are lots of different models. They are the same high quality pruners without the replaceable parts and expensive latch as the heavy duty pruners. The point @alan was making is this is a global market now I purchased from Amazon which is a global company. There are Amazon sellers from all over the world so pruners intended for Asia’s market wound up in the USA. There was nothing I could do to prevent someone from selling pruners from Asia in the USA we all have access to the same website. Great deal for backup pruners that’s for sure.
They are great for backups or if you only cut scion sized wood like you use for grafting “Designed and built for professional grade applications. 7-inch overall length for easy use and portability.” The fact they are professional grade speaks volumes. Have both types my heavy duty pruners were $37 so these are cheaper for the reasons mentioned. People get the wrong idea and think light duty means not professional grade and that’s not accurate. Light duty means normal scions sized branches. Many Professionals abuse their pruners cutting off very large branches with pruners they should use a saw for. They replace blades on their pruners every 2 years or so for about $50 then do it again.
