Terazaki Hamono Tsume Hand-Forged Nigiri Scissors

Japanese grip scissors forged entirely by hand in the fire by Kenshi Terasaki, one of very few smiths still using the sohizukuri method.

Most Japanese grip (nigiri) scissors are machine-made from bought-in composite steel. These are not. Kenshi Terasaki of Terazaki Hamono heats iron and steel to about 1,000 °C and hammers them together himself, then forms the whole pair, its thickness, shape, spring and grip, with a single hammer and no mold. This “total fire construction” is difficult and inefficient and produces many failures, but it allows a level of detail in spring strength, comfort and balance that a factory cannot match. Tsume, the “claw” shape, has a short blade that is very easy to handle. With care, grip scissors like these last a lifetime.

Specifications

• Brand: Terazaki Hamono
• Maker: Kenshi Terasaki, Hyogo
• Model: Tsume (claw) grip scissors
• Type: Nigiri (grip) scissors, short blade
• Construction: Sohizukuri (total fire construction): iron and steel forge-welded at about 1,000 °C and shaped by hand without a mold
• Material: Steel
• Workshop town: Ono, Hyogo, a historic center of Japanese scissor making
• Series: Kenshi line, made in four blade shapes (Tsume, Naga-ha, Naga-ha Katamaru, Saki-boso); this is Tsume, the claw blade
• Rarity: Only a handful of smiths still make nigiri scissors by total-fire forging
• Made in: Japan
• Item number (MPN): TH-Tsume-1

Features

• Forged by hand by Kenshi Terasaki in Hyogo
• Sohizukuri: iron and steel joined in the fire, no mold
• Tsume (claw) shape with a short, easy-handling blade
• Spring-opening nigiri grip
• Made to last a lifetime with care
• Made in Japan

Best for

Snipping thread in sewing, embroidery, quilting and kimono work; fine craft and hobby cutting; Japanese confectionery work. A collector-worthy gift for makers.

Who this is not for

• Cutting paper, card or heavy fabric in long runs: it is a short snipping tool.
• Left-in-a-drawer use without care: carbon steel should be kept dry.
• Anyone expecting factory-perfect uniformity: each pair is hand-forged.

Why we carry it

We’ve been curating design-led pieces since 2009, and Japanese craft objects like this one earn their place by being used every day. Terazaki Hamono is the workshop of blacksmith Kenshi Terasaki in Hyogo. He forges grip scissors by sohizukuri, “total fire construction”: iron and steel are heated to about 1,000 °C and hammered together by hand, without a mold, so that thickness, shape, spring and grip are all set by the smith. Kenshi Terasaki was born in Kumamoto and worked an ordinary job until, at 36, he moved to Hyogo to train under a master in this nearly vanished technique. He later opened his own small workshop ten minutes from his mentor’s, where he shapes each pair by feel to within 0.1 mm.

Buy once: durability and care

Wipe the blades clean and dry after each use, add a drop of oil now and then, and store them in a dry place; do not drop them on hard floors (our advice).

Frequently asked questions

What are nigiri scissors?

Japanese grip scissors: you squeeze them in the palm and the steel spring opens them again, ideal for quick, precise snips.

What does “tsume” mean for these scissors?

It means claw: the tsume shape has a short blade that is very easy to handle.

How are the Terazaki scissors made?

By sohizukuri, or total fire construction: iron and steel are heated to about 1,000 °C, hammered together and shaped by hand without a mold.

What are the Terazaki Tsume scissors used for?

Sewing and embroidery thread, crafts and hobbies; grip scissors are also used by makers of Japanese sweets.

How long will the Terazaki scissors last?

Grip scissors like these can be used for a lifetime if you care for them.

How do I care for the Terazaki scissors?

Wipe them dry after use, oil them occasionally and store them dry (our advice).

Trade pricing for design professionals

Interior designers, architects, stylists and hospitality buyers can apply to the MetropolitanDecor Trade Program for trade pricing on Terazaki Hamono and the rest of our catalog, a dedicated trade support line, and help sourcing in quantity. Applying takes about three minutes, and our trade team reviews every application personally, usually within one business day.

Shipping & returns

Ships in 2–3 business days. Orders over $100 ship free by ground to the 48 contiguous states. All sales are final, so check the size and specifications above before ordering; if your order arrives damaged or isn’t what you ordered, contact us within 48 hours of delivery with photos and we’ll make it right.

Please note: Because this item is made to order or specially sourced, it is final sale.