Nigiri Basami - Katamaru for Fabric

Nigiri basami are often used for sewing and general craft/household tasks. They are unique in that they have the spring action built into the handle. In use, they are held near the top area (where the blade is) and operated like tweezers. The craftsman for this line of nigiri basami is one of the very few in the world who still handcraft nigiri basami with traditional Japanese methods by hand. This includes welding the soft and hard steels by hand (he does not use pre-clad steel sheets) and free-hand forging the shape of the blades and handles without the use of large-scale/automatic machinery. This handcrafting allows very small but important adjustments to the shape, positioning of blades, and bounciness/tightness of the grip. Katamaru features one round-shaped blade (bottom blade) and one narrow/pointy blade (top blade). These differently shaped blades are designed for delicate fabrics like silk. The round bottom blade is designed to prevent damaging the fabric near or under the bottom receiving blade.
How to Hold Nigiri Basami: Hold nigiri basami up at the blades, not at the back of the handle. With the blade tips pointing forward, press your thumb against one side where the blade meets the handle, and your index finger against the other side. Let the rest of the handle run down through your loosely curled fingers, with the rounded spring end tucked into your hand. Squeeze gently between your thumb and index finger to cut, the way you'd use tweezers. Then relax to let the built-in spring open the blades again. This grip keeps your fingertips close to the cut for precise control, and a light touch is all you need.
These scissors are made with high carbon steel. Like all carbon steel tools/knives, they can rust if not cared for properly. Please make sure to wipe them clean and dry after use. If you're planning on storing them for an extended period of time, we recommend oiling them with Tsubaki (camelila) oil or mineral oil.  If you see rust or if you prefer to not have patina, you can remove it with something like Flitz.