Drop forged and hand finished in Yamagata, deep in the mountains of North Japan, our ‘double yellows’ are the perfect combination of refined craftsmanship and every day usability. Tough carbon steel holds a mean edge, the chunky catch at the bottom and the strong spring gives a reassuringly simple functional feel, and the yellow grips show up when you’ve left them somewhere in the garden (or you can remove them for a more traditional look.)

Perfect for keen gardeners, landscapers and professionals who work their tools hard and need quality and precision in daily use. Jake’s current favourites.

Best usage

• Clean with a Niwaki Clean Mate rust and sap eraser
• Sharpen with a Niwaki #1000 grit stone
• Protect with Niwaki Camellia Oil

Standard and Small GR Pros are made by a small family business in Yamagata: 2nd generation Mr Kudo still puts in a full day’s work as he approaches 80, assisted by his wife and their two sons. Drop in for their favourite local food, niku soba ( meaty noodles) and a glass or two of sake.