Ichiro and Juntetsu both appear in professional scissor searches, but their current published evidence is different. Ichiro presents a changing range by use and sends buyers to an approved distributor for the exact specification. Juntetsu publishes three named models with material, edge, handle and size. That makes this a comparison of how to verify a pair, not a price or performance ranking.
What the current catalogues establish
| Buying question | Ichiro | Juntetsu |
|---|---|---|
| Where to start | Cutting, thinning and left-handed categories. The site asks buyers to confirm the current model, blade, steel and orientation with an approved distributor. | Standard, Thinning and Entry are the three models in the current maker collection. |
| Named cutting choice | The category page does not provide an exact current cutting model sheet. Request the distributor’s model code and specification. | Standard: 440C, convex edge, offset handle, 5.0–6.5 inches. Entry: 440C, semi-convex edge, even handle, 5.0–5.5 inches. |
| Thinning choice | Tooth pattern and removal rate need confirmation for the exact item. Ichiro’s thinning guide warns that tooth count alone does not set cut ratio. | Thinning: 440C, 22-tooth micro-serrated blade, offset handle, 5.5 or 6.0 inches. The collection does not publish a cut-rate percentage. |
| Left-handed availability | Ichiro has a left-handed category; ask for the exact blade orientation and market availability. | The three currently listed models do not establish a left-handed option. Ask the seller about any specific listing. |
Material and origin questions
Neither catalogue supports the old claim that both brands currently sell a VG-10 ladder. Ichiro’s steel education discusses grades in general and says this is not a model specification. Juntetsu’s present three model sheets all say 440C. Its collection allows registration of legacy names, but that does not verify the material, weight or stock of an older pair. If you are offered a VG-10, cobalt or Aero-Pro listing, request its original model sheet and current seller identification.
Ichiro lists a Tokyo contact and describes final checks and assembly before dispatch, including a Saitama facility for ScissorLab orders. Juntetsu describes individual inspection and tension adjustment in Japan. Those statements do not establish that every component or complete pair was manufactured in Japan. Ask for model-specific origin documentation if origin is important to you.
Which pair fits the job?
For an all-round cutter, compare an identified Ichiro model with Juntetsu Standard at a similar working blade length and handle size. If you want an even handle and semi-convex edge, Juntetsu Entry is a documented starting point. For thinning, ask both sellers for tooth design, stated cut rate, handedness and a service route; do not infer equal removal from a tooth number.
Request current price, stock, returns, warranty and sharpening terms in writing for the exact pair. Juntetsu’s how-to-buy page directs those questions to local authorised sellers; Ichiro’s catalogue likewise asks buyers to verify specifications with a distributor. The compare tool can organise the recorded brand fields, but the seller’s model sheet should decide the purchase.