Crean Mate
Crean Mate
Couldn't load pickup availability
Similar to the abrasive cleaning block, this is a super handy and portable rust and sap eraser, used to clean off the gunk that inevitably builds up on the blades of secateurs, shears and snips. Which, if not removed, makes your clippers sticky and slows down the cutting action.
I was initially put off by the price tag on this direct-from-Japan product, but my crew unanimously agrees that this works like a dream. So decided to offer it as an alternative for the discriminating among you!
These are small enough to tuck into a pocket or pouch, and I like to have mine with me all the time so I can touch up my tools as needed. When we’re doing a lot of pruning or cutting we often have to clean and sharpen our blades daily.
Best used wet. If you don't have water at hand, a couple of drops of camellia oil will do the trick.
Part of our Cleaning Kit which is stocked with all the essential tools for cleaning & sharpening your kit!
Product Details
Product Details
Cleaning & Sharpening your Japanese Pruning Tools
Cleaning & Sharpening your Japanese Pruning Tools
Click here to download The Gardener's Kit Guide to Cleaning & Sharpening your Japanese Pruning Tools
We recommend that you clean, sharpen, oil - in that order and be sure to sharpen before the blades get blunt.
How Often?
It's a common question - how often should I sharpen my cutting tools? Short answer is, it depends on how frequently you use your tools.
Here are recommendations based on frequent use; you can judge from there if you don't use your tools often.
- Secateurs: every couple of weeks if you use them daily. Click here to watch the experts at Okatsune sharpen secateurs.
- Shears: daily, or even throughout the day, when you’re using them intensively. Especially if clipping boxwood. Click here to watch Jake demonstrate how to sharpen the Niwaki shears
- Saws: clean and dry saws after every use. Impulse hardened blades do not need to be sharpened. Click here for our Guide to Saw Care
How To?
- Wipe off soil and mud (you should get in the habit of doing this and then drying your tools at the end of each workday).
- Clean built-up gunk and rust off the blades with the Abrasive Cleaning Block or Crean Mate rust eraser.
- Do a detailed sharpening with a whetstone or two - see below for 'Which Grit' to use. Soak your sharpening stone in water for a couple of minutes before using. Unless you are very handy, don’t take your secateurs and shears apart – it’s very difficult to get the double-locking bolt back together and the blades properly aligned.
- You can sharpen on-the-go with the Swiss Istor carbon steel sharpener, but a light touch is required - you don't want to grind off too much steel.
- Use the Twin Diamond File or the Niwaki grey #220 grit sharpening stone to restore damaged blades.
- Apply Camellia Oil to lubricate and protect blades after cleaning. You're done!
If you don’t like sharpening yourself, or don’t have time for it, use our in-house sharpening service.
Which Grit?
The appropriate whetstone grit depends on the type of steel, how long it's been between sharpening sessions, and whether there’s been any significant damage to the blades.
We recommend using the manufacturer's recommendation for the tools that we sell.
- Okatsune #400 grit - for regular sharpening of all Okatsune products; also good for Felco
- Niwaki #220 grit (grey) - this is a coarse stone, use for rough/damaged blades
- Niwaki #1000 grit (brown) - for regular sharpening of all Niwaki, Tobisho, Kurumi blades.
- Niwaki #3000 grit (sand) - this is a fine polishing stone, use for detailed work on high quality steel
Click here for the full collection of Japanese Tool Care products
Shipping + Local Pick-up
Shipping + Local Pick-up
Local Pick-Up
Is available from our Vic West Showroom, in Victoria BC.
Directions & store hours can be found HERE
Flat Rate Shipping
Small Items
- within BC $15
- Canada $20
Medium Items
- within BC $20
- Canada $25
Large Items $30
- within BC $30
- Canada $40
Extra Large Items $60
- within BC $60
- Canada $75
SEE FULL SHIPPING DETAILS, CLICK HERE
Please note, our USA shipping has been temporarily suspended. We are shipping to Canadian addresses only. Learn more...
