Japanese Shear Authenticity Checklist

Step 1: Pre-purchase triage (2 minutes)

• Check the price band: Premium brands (Mizutani, Hikari, Fuji MoreZ, Yamato) never land below $1,000 AUD. Professional ATS-314 shears rarely dip under $600. VG-10 bundles under $250 are almost always fakes.
• Validate the seller: Buy direct from the manufacturer, an authorised dealer listed on the brand’s website, or an established specialty retailer. Marketplaces (Amazon, eBay, AliExpress, Facebook Shops) are high-risk unless the storefront is the verified brand itself.
• Scrutinise the language: Phrases such as "Japan-inspired," "same factory," or "Japanese-style" signal a non-Japanese product. Legitimate listings name the prefecture (Seki, Sakai, Niigata), quote exact alloys (ATS-314, VG-10, 440C), and provide HRC ratings.

Step 2: Arrival inspection (5 minutes)

1. Serial numbers: Premium brands engrave unique serials on the inside shank. Match the engraving to the warranty card and register it with the manufacturer while you are still within the return window.
2. Origin markings: Look for "Made in Japan" plus the city or prefecture. Vague "Japan" stamps, stickers, or laser etching over uneven metal are red flags.
3. Logo accuracy: Compare fonts, spacing, and logo placement with official product photos. Mis-spellings ("Mizutini"), printed graphics, or rough stamping point to counterfeits.
4. Documentation & packaging: Expect a quality case, authenticity certificate, care instructions, and warranty details. Cheap PVC sleeves or generic paperwork are not acceptable on genuine Japanese shears.
5. Balance & finish: Place the shear on an extended finger at the pivot. Authentic forged blades balance cleanly and feel dense. Casting seams, uneven mirror finishes, or flat inner faces (no hollow grind) indicate imitations.

Step 3: Ongoing verification

• Keep a photo file: Snap the serial, warranty card, and purchase receipt. This protects you if you resell or claim warranty coverage.
• Log maintenance: Record every sharpening and tension adjustment. Authorised technicians will reference your serial to preserve factory geometry—an easy authenticity cross-check.
• Watch for warning signs: Premature edge collapse, rust bleeding from the pivot, or loose hardware after light use can signal inferior alloys. Contact the manufacturer immediately with photos.

Brand hot list

The following brands always ship with serials and comprehensive documentation. If any item is missing, stop and verify with the manufacturer before using the shear:

• Mizutani — orange-backed warranty card + QR registration
• Hikari — serial card, tension key, bilingual booklet
• Fuji MoreZ — lifetime service certificate and wooden or premium case
• Yamato — Kouho certificate, holographic ID, black presentation box
• Kasho — red presentation case, disc operation manual, QR warranty
• Yasaka — warranty card with vacuum hardening literature
• Juntetsu — Japan-direct inspection slip and minimalistic white box
• Mina & Ichiro — Japanese inspection ticket, laser-etched serials, bundled maintenance kit

Further resources

• Internal authenticity reference — full deep dive with metallurgy cue cards.
• Premium tier guide — pricing and specs for artisan brands so you can sanity-check offers.
• Professional tier guide — benchmark pricing for ATS-314 and VG-10 cutters.
• Daily care checklist — keep genuine shears performing the way they should.