By Teresa Woodard

Spring gardening chores can be daunting, but the right tools help make the work more enjoyable.  Today, I share my hedge shears by Okatsune as we start a mini blog series on our Favorite Tools.  This Japanese-crafted set of blades is my go-to tool for trimming the boxwood hedge along the front of our house.  While I’ve tried other shears, these deliver much smoother and more precise cuts not crushing or “chewed” cuts.  Their sharpness and cutting power is attributed to the blades’ hot hammer-forged “Izumo Yasuki Steel”, which is supposedly used in the making of Japanese swords.  Check back for Debra’s and Michael’s favorite tools or comment here with your own favorites.