Chikamasa PS-8PLUS-R Pruning Shears | Carbon Steel, Replaceable Blade

Chikamasa PS-8PLUS-R, a Carbon Steel Bypass Pruner

This is the heavy tool in the Chikamasa range here, a full-size bypass pruner rather than a scissor. The upper blade is high-quality carbon steel with a fluorine coating, so sap and resin slide off the cutting edge. The lower blade is plated steel, which resists corrosion where the pruner meets wet wood. Cutting length is 52 mm, the pruner measures 210 mm, and it weighs about 205 g. Handles are glass-fibre-reinforced nylon with elastomer grips, stiff where the force goes and cushioned where the palm sits. A plate behind the pivot stops the nut from rotating loose, so blade tension stays where you set it. The blades are replaceable, which means a chipped or worn edge does not retire the whole tool. The packaging lists branches, fruit, vegetables and flowers as its intended work. It sits between the trimming scissors and a lopper in the pruning toolkit. Think of it as the pair that handles what snips cannot.

Pruning Shears for Stems the Scissors Should Not Touch

Chikamasa's scissor packs warn against thick stems and branches, and this is the tool that takes over. In a flower room it cuts main stalks at harvest and trims woody lower growth during defoliation. Outdoors it prunes shrubs, fruit trees and vines cleanly, since the bypass action slices rather than crushes the stem. The coating on the upper blade keeps sticky sap from dragging each cut. Carbon steel is the care point. Wipe the blades dry after use and oil them lightly, especially the uncoated edge and the pivot. Left wet in a humid room, carbon steel will spot with rust. At this size it is too big for trimming flower, so pair it with a B-500 or TP-500 for the manicure. Replacement blades are sold separately, and fitting them is quicker than sharpening a badly chipped edge. Stop at branches the jaws cannot close around easily, since forcing a cut can spring the blades.

Key Features

• Fluorine-Coated Carbon Steel Blade: The upper blade takes a keen edge while the coating keeps sap and resin from dragging the cut.
• Plated Lower Blade: The lower blade is plated to resist corrosion where it meets wet wood and plant juice.
• Anti-Rotation Lock Nut: A plate behind the pivot stops the nut from loosening, so blade tension holds through heavy use.
• Replaceable Blades: Worn or chipped blades can be swapped out, extending the working life of the pruner.
• Reinforced Nylon Handles: Glass-fibre-reinforced nylon with elastomer grips stays stiff under load and comfortable in the palm.

Technical Specifications