Not only as a combat knife, but also as a sickle and pruning knife. Today karambit knives are just as versatile. A wonderful tactical knife which you can also use to open boxes or cut through rope or cables. Its multi-functional and unique, tough look has turned the karambit into a must-have for any knife enthusiast.


## Using a karambit


You can use the karambit in different ways. The thumb through the thumb hole and your fingers on the cut-outs is what we call the 'reverse grip'. If you stick your little finger through the thumb hole and place your thumb on the spine of the handle you end up with the 'conventional grip. Whichever grip you choose: you will always have a sublime grip over the knife!


## Opening the karambit


There are also various ways of opening the knife. Most Emerson and Fox karambit knives are enhanced with a hook on the spine of the blade. With it the karambit will open automatically when you take it from your pocket. You can also open the knife with a flipper or thumb hole.

Karambit knives

Old Bear is a part of the Antonini Knives knife group. Ever since 1925 they have traditionally been producing classic pocket knives. All knives are produced in the knife capital of Italy: Maniago. The Old Bear brand emerged in 2015 to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Antonini Knives. Because of their years of experience, they produce top-quality knives.

Old Bear pocket knives

Large survival knives can be used for heavy-duty work. Whether you're chopping, making a fire or building a shelter, with a big survival knife you can handle it all. Though a small knife might be a bit more versatile, a large survival knife offers more power. Especially when working with large pieces of wood or chopping away at vegetation, that extra bit of blade length can make a world of difference.

Large survival knives

Nothing works better than sharp tools. With the Fiskars knife sharpener, you keep your axes and garden gear in great condition. Whether you are splitting wood or taking care of the garden: sharp tools save power and increase your precision. Thanks to clever design and sturdy materials, you make your knives and axes razor-sharp again in no time. Fiskars knife sharpeners can also be bought in combination with an axe, so you immediately have a complete set. With Fiskars you choose for reliability, simplicity and durability. Experience the difference sharpness makes.

Fiskars knife sharpener

Fiskars knife sharpener

Good **branch loppers** make pruning trees and large bushes a lot easier. Because of the large parrot beak and long handles you can easily cut through thick branches without using too much strength. And because of its massive reach branches located high above your head are also no problem at all. The razor-sharp blades have a round shape to make sure branches won’t just shoot away when cutting them. In addition, the blades have been designed as such that during the cutting movement the top and bottom knife only meet in one place. As a result you don’t have to worry about unnecessary resistance.


You can put more pressure on branch loppers than on [pruning shears](kato://content/migrated_pageid_765) and you are more accurate when you use branch loppers than when you use a saw. To prune really thick branches we recommend using a [pruning saw](kato://content/migrated_pageid_795).

Branch loppers

Whether you’re splitting firewood for the fireplace, pruning a tree in your garden or taking a trekking axe on a bushcraft adventure, the right tools make every outdoor task much easier. In the axes & garden tools category you’ll find everything from robust splitting axes and precision saws to pruning shears that can handle even the toughest branches. For use in the garden, the forest or deep in the wilderness – we have the tools that match your way of outdoor living.

Axes & garden tools

Machetes are versatile tools typically ranging in size from a large knife to a small sword, with lengths between 26 and 50 centimetres. Machetes are often used in agriculture and in the tropics in particular. This makes them suitable for survival activities. With a machete, you make your way through the jungle or effortlessly cut sugar cane. Originally intended as a tool, machetes are now indispensable for adventurers and gardeners.

Machetes

Opinel knives are famous for their quality and perfect simplicity. After all, ever since Joseph Opinel made his first Opinel knife in 1890 in Savoie quality and simplicity are key. In addition to knives Opinel also makes saws with the same characterizing style and characteristics. These saws are perfect for small pruning jobs

Opinel outdoor

Take advantage of great discounts, special offers and the finest products. From kitchenware for your Easter brunch and pruning shears for gardening to sturdy outdoor knives for your next adventure.

During this Easter promotion, enjoy discounts and receive free products when purchasing selected brands (only available while stocks last). Get inspired by fantastic products to kick off spring in style! This promotion runs until April 21st.

Easter 2025

## Japanese garden shears


The garden shears from Japan are truly amazing. The country is known for its ancient cutting and forging culture, so, naturally, the best pruning tools come from Japan! Japanese garden shears are razor-sharp and retain their sharpness for a really long time. They are truly amazing to work with!

Garden shears

## Okatsune: deceptively simple


When you look at the Okatsune shears they might look like simple products. Simple wooden handles on the shears, and the luxurious hinged springs you sometimes find on other pruning shears are missing from the Okatsune shears. As such you might think that time stood still at Okatsune. Perhaps that is true, however, in this case time standing still is not a bad thing! Okatsune’s techniques, materials and grinds have definitely proven themselves over the years. Never change a winning team, and for that reason the Okatsune pruning shears have been the same for years. Wonderfully familiar.


## From the centuries old Bonsai tradition


Who thinks of Japanese gardening probably immediately thinks of the Bonsai. The cute little trees and the pruning process which has become a true art form in Japan. For hundreds of years one has been practicing the art of Bonsai. Perfectly pruning a tree according to a certain philosophy can only be done with precise tools. As a result the Okatsune shears are the preferred tool for the job!

Okatsune

## Japanese pull saws
Most saws on this page are pull saws. This means that the saws are only effective on the pulling motion. Not the pushing motion. Not only is this safer, it also allows Japanese pull saws to be thinner, resulting in a finer saw blade. There are different types of Japanese hand saws. There are [tree saws](kato://category/treesaws) with coarse serrations and a curved blade for heavy outdoor use, [small garden saws](kato://category/pruningsawsprod) for pruning or [woodworking saws](kato://category/woodworkingsaws) with a fine serration for precise woodworking tasks. This page lists all saws manufactured in Japan and saws inspired by a Japanese design.

Japanese saws

## The best hedge shears


Everyone knows that frustrating feeling when you crush the branches you need trim instead of cutting them. You could have your shears sharpened or sharpen them yourself, but that is often only a temporary solution for an insolvable design flaw that allows too much room to come in between the blades. For that reason cheap shears are not always cheaper: you won’t have to sharpen great shears that often. In addition, top-quality shears are amazing to work with. Perfect when you are pruning boxwood hedges.


## Manual hedge shears can be faster than electric hedge trimmers


When you own a great pair of shears it might be possible that, after a little practice, you will cut even faster than when you use an electric hedge trimmer. When you use a sharp pair of shears you will be better off when you are pruning conifers hedges. In addition, a manual pair means that you won’t have to deal with extension cords or batteries, and you are a lot faster and a lot more flexible. Also, it will be a lot easier to trim that branch you missed after you have cleaned up.


## Japanese hedge shears


In the hedge shears category the Japanese shears are of excellent quality. From the country with the centuries old cutting and forging culture you can only expect the best cutting tools. As a result Japanese hedge shears are razor-sharp and retain their sharpness for a really long time. A joy to work with.

Hedge shears

## Opinel No.08 pruning and grafting knife
This versatile knife is ideal for both pruning and grafting. With a durable beechwood handle and a sharp stainless-steel blade, this knife offers precision and comfort with every cut.

## Opinel No.08 garden knife
Perfect for all gardening tasks. This knife combines a classic design with efficient cutting power, making it an indispensable tool for every gardener.

New products added to our range: Opinel garden knives

Items in this Gearmix

* [1) Barebones Hori Hori Classic garden knife](#chap01)
* [2) Barebones Prunes & Sheath pruning shears](#chap02)
* [3) Barebones Timber Saw hand saw](#chap03)

## 1\. Barebones Hori Hori Classic garden knife

The Hori Hori classic is an extremely versatile garden tool. You use it to weed in delicate spots in the garden, cut through roots, saw through thin branches, or plant bulbs at the perfect depth. This Barebones garden knife is a robust version with a walnut wood handle.

Gearmix: gardening with Barebones

Anyone who has a garden also has [pruning shears](kato://content/migrated_pageid_765) lying around somewhere. But do you also maintain them like you should? If you take good care of your pruning shears you will extend the life of the tool.


Another advantage: if you work with sharp pruning tools you prevent injuries and decrease the risk of infections because of fungi or bacteria on the plant. For that reason we will give a couple of tips and tricks to keep your pruning shears sharp and clean. Also good to know: this information also applies to [hedge shears](kato://content/migrated_pageid_766) and [branch loppers](kato://content/migrated_pageid_905).


Maintaining pruning shears is relatively simple. You need to keep your shears clean, sharp and flexible.


## Better safe than sorry


The first step to clean shears is making sure they don’t get dirty in the first place. For instance, never place your shears in the sand. The sand can get caught in between the spring or the hinging parts and damage the shears. If you do want to store your shears as you use it we recommend using a holster. You attach the holster to your belt to make sure you will always have it close when you need it.


## Shine bright like a diamond


After using your shears you need to remove any left-over plant juice. With a dry piece of cloth you can remove almost anything from your shears. Still not clean enough? Use warm water and a little bit of detergent to be able to remove the dirt from the blades with a brush. Properly rinse of any access detergent with clean water and properly dry the blades. This is key to prevent any rust.


## Keeping it flexible


After cleaning the shears we recommend adding a drop of oil to the hinging parts of the spring. You do so to prevent rust and to make sure the blades don’t get stuck. You could, for instance, use Ballistol maintenance oil. This oil is available in a [Ballistol spray can](kato://product/BT21700), [Ballistol pen](kato://product/BT21360), or simply a [small 50 ml bottle](kato://product/BT21000).


## Sharpening pruning shears


You can easily sharpen a part of the shears yourself. But before you start sharpening you need to always properly clean the shears. After cleaning it you can start sharpening. Always use the right sharpening tool when doing so. Pruning shears won’t get any sharper if you use a regular file. After all, the knife is a lot harder than the file. Blunt shears can be sharpened with a [sharpening stone](kato://product/OSKST412) or [diamond file](kato://content/migrated_pageid_312). The finer the stone or file, the sharper your shears. Another advantage of good sharpening stones or a file: you can also use them to sharpen your kitchen knives!

How do you maintain pruning shears?

How do you maintain pruning shears?

[Opinel](kato://content/migrated_pageid_455) is a brand you've probably come across, whether you're a knife fan or not. Opinel knives can be found in any outdoor store or kitchen store. But how did this iconic French brand actually emerge? How did a modest workshop in France grow into a global symbol of craftsmanship? Invited by Opinel, we travelled to Savoie in France to learn more.

**Table of contents:**
* [The Opinel museum](#chap02)
* [ A closer look at Opinel's factory](#chap03)
* [Opinel and sustainability](#chap04)

Opinel museum and factory visit in France

The saw is as valuable a tool as your knife or your axe when it comes to outdoor and bushcraft essentials. A saw will save calories and time and will aid in wood processing for your campfire, as well as for sloyd and crafting activities. On top of this, the saw is safer than an axe, particularly for the less experienced outdoors person. So it is worth spending just as much time finding the right saw for your needs as with a knife or an axe. With the vast range of saw blade styles, not to mention sizes, shapes and characteristics, there is a saw for every type of user. One of Knivesandtools' newest products is from a Japanese company called [Z-Saws](kato://category/zsawbrand), who have been around for a long time, and build tools for casual arborists to outdoors people and woodwork professionals alike. Let’s take a look at some of the Z Saw range and help you choose what is right for your needs.

## Japanese Saw Tradition

The Japanese are renowned for their quality woodworking tools, particularly when it comes to hand saws for arborists and carpentry. So it should come as no surprise that Z-Saws have been making traditional hand saws since the 1940s. Since then, they have continued to innovate and expand on their hand saw models. They were also one of the first companies in Japan to introduce Hard Impulse-heating treatment, which is known as one of the great innovations for maximising saw tooth hardness. This works by rapidly heating just the tips of the saw tooth within milliseconds by means of squarewave impulses with a very high peak power to achieve a hardness level of HV800-950 (64.0 - 68.2 HRC), which is the maximum hardness that can be achieved on steel. They say that the secret to providing quality handsaws is down to their non-stop innovation and their decades-long experiences. Z-Saws and their replacement blades are a little less expensive than their perhaps more popular competitors Silky. This can be seen in the build quality and overall material choices, but they are by no means a bad choice! For all intents and purposes, Z-Saws are a fantastic choice for the more economically conscious user.

## Using pull stroke blades

All the saws we are looking at in this range are [pull stroke style blades](kato://content/migrated_topic_721). Pull stroke blades are perfect for pruning saws and for arborists because all the cutting power comes from the pull stroke action of the blade. This pull cut motion will make the blade much easier to use at awkward angles or when you are attempting to cut things at a height, applying a cutting pressure into your material with little effort needed. As well as this, the pulling action allows for more gentle and controlled strokes, so delicate and precise cuts can be made more easily. The forward motion should only be skirting across the cut and clearing it of any dust or pulp that would hinder a clean cut. If you have never used a pull stroke saw before then you may need to practice a little, as the motion feels usual if you are used to the more traditional type saw. People unfamiliar with this motion can very easily snap their blade by putting too much force in the push stroke and having the blade get caught and bend, resulting in a snapped blade. Fortunately, Z-Saws seem to be creating blades that are quite tough and flexible in comparison to their competitors.

Z-saw saws | Info and buying guide by Padraig Croke

You might have grown accustomed to Fiskars' black-orange axes. This time, however, they decided to 'spice' things up and try something different. With the [Norden collection](kato://content/migrated_pageid_1049) Fiskars demonstrates how modern and traditional can easily be combined with the Fiskars Norden N7 hand axe, Fiskars Norden N10 hand axe and Fiskars Norden N12 splitting axe.


## Three new Fiskars Norden axes


The Fiskars Norden N7 is a small and universal axe that is great for pruning, felling and making kindle. The Fiskars Norden N10 is a little bigger: a hand axe that is suited for one-handed use and chopping (fire)wood. The last axe and also the largest one in the Norden collection is the Norden N12. This splitting axe is great when splitting small logs with a diameter of up to 20 cm.


`youtube: yF1vi10barU`

New: Fiskars Norden hand and splitting axes 

## Sharpening your garden tools

Sharpening garden tools is very important. This is because dull tools take more strength, work less precisely and increase the risk of accidents. Sharpening ensures sharpness, efficiency, safety and more fun.

### When should you sharpen garden tools?

* Pruning tools: every few jobs or when cutting results are less than satisfactory
* [Axes](kato://category/axesprodpage) and [saws](kato://category/sawsprod): at the beginning of the season, after intensive use or in case of visible damage

### How do you sharpen your garden tools?

Garden tools can be sharpened in two ways: either by moving the tool over the sharpening stone, or by moving the sharpening stone over the tool. In most cases, the latter method works best. This is because garden tools are often quite large, making it difficult to hold them steady while maintaining the correct sharpening angle.

Even with smaller tools like [pruning shears](kato://category/pruningshears), you usually choose the method where you move the sharpening stone. The construction of the tool often gets in the way if you sharpen using the other method. Therefore, a compact sharpening stone that is comfortable to hold is ideal for maintaining garden tools. This will give you maximum control over your movements and sharpen more accurately.

There are special sharpening stones for some tools that better match the shape of the blade. For example, do you have garden shears with a curved edge, like a parrot beak? Then a convex or concave sharpening stone, such as the [Naniwa Gouken](kato://category/naniwa?series=Gouken), will be ideal. For tools with a straight edge, a small sharpening stone, such as the [Skerper Pocket Stone](kato://product/SVSO003), will be perfect. For an axe, we recommend the [Skerper Axe Sharpening Stone](kato://product/SVSO002).

Saws are usually sharpened with a file or a special sharpening steel. Keep in mind that this is precision work: you have to sharpen each serration individually. This will take some time. This is why we also offer [replacement saw blades](kato://category/sawbladesprod) for many of our saws. This is a quick and practical solution if sharpening is too much work.

Sharpening your garden tools

## How do you sharpen hedge shears?

Sharpening always starts with good preparation. Clean the knives first, how to do this is explained later in this article. Check the blade for any damage. Depending on the state of the blade, decide whether you will sharpen by hand, or whether an electric sharpener is needed for heavier work.

## What types of hedge shears exist?

There are different types of hedge shears, and that also determines how best to sharpen them:

* **Sharpening regular hedge shears**: The easiest way to do this is as above, using a sharpening stone or file. 
* **Electric hedge shears**: These often have a lot of small serrations, or teeth. Sharpen the teeth, one by one with a file or flat small sharpening stone. 

Want to learn more about sharpening different types of garden tools? Check out our tips on sharpening garden tools.

## Which sharpening tools are recommended for hedge shears?
For most hedge shears, a sharpening stone with a medium/coarse grit size will be sufficient. Preferably choose a compact sharpening stone that fits well in your hand, so you can move along the edge in a controlled way. A good example is the [Skerper Pocket Stone](kato://product/SVSO003). 

**Please note**: hedge shears don't need the same level of sharpness as kitchen knives. A course to medium grit size (for example, 200 to 600 grit) will usually be sufficient. This will remove burrs and damage fairly quickly.

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