Takemoto Double Sided Serrated Sickle - Urame Nokogama

• Blade length 180mm, blade width 30mm, blade thickness 1.5mm
• Two handle options available:

Handle length Short 240mm (overall length 340mm)

Handle length Long 330mm (overall length 440mm)

This rust-resistant (stainless steel) traditional thin serrated sickle was originally designed for harvesting rice and vegetables and for cutting back weeds.

These sickles are also easy to resharpen, unlike other serrated sickles. The serrations are predominantly on one side, the reverse side can therefore be sharpened with a fine stone or diamond sharpener. The non-slip handle (dyed black) makes it less slippery when working in wet areas.

The back-to-back saw sickle can be used for harvesting rice and vegetables and for general cutting back (pruning) plant growth and controlling weeds. The sawtooth design makes it easy to bite into and cut stalks.

These sickles can be used like a traditional scythe, sweeping/swinging action for trimming back plant growth or, when harvesting or cutting back fibrous plants such as flax or coarse grasses (e.g. kikuyu grass), by holding the plant to be cut and pulling the sickle across the plant and towards you.

The blade is made of 1.5mm thin steel material that is fully hardened to a hardness of over HRC 60 degrees and then thinned by a skewer finish (a technique in which the ground blade is further carved into a concave shape to improve tooth separation and sharpness).

Takemoto Sickle Manufacturing, established in 1912, is led by the fourth-generation proprietor and remains devoted to its traditional techniques. The unique design of this sickle is that it is serrated on the reverse side ('Urame' in Japanese refers to reverse side and 'Nokogama' means serrated sickle). This novel design allows for sharpening of the front-side, akin to a regular scythe.

Sharpening and Maintenance tips for the Takemoto Urame SS Sickle

• • Blade Material: The sickle features a 1.5mm thin stainless-steel blade hardened to HRC 60+, which allows for effective sharpening without excessive wear on the blade.
  • Serration Design: The serrations are on the back side of the blade (“Urame” means back side in Japanese), which means you can sharpen the front side like a standard straight-blade sickle.
  • Blade Finish: It uses a suki finish—a concave polish that improves sharpness and reduces resistance. This finish also makes it easier to maintain/sharpen the edge.
  • Sharpening Method:
  • If necessary, first use a coarse stone or diamond sharpener to remove any burrs. (if no significant burrs or rough edges, skip this step)
  • Use a fine grit whetstone (1000–3000 grit) or fine diamond sharpener for regular maintenance.
  • Sharpen only the non-serrated front edge, preserving the serrations.
  • Maintain the original bevel angle..

Maintenance Tips

• • Clean the blade after each use to prevent sap or soil buildup. A mixture of oil and methylated spirits is good for breaking down sap buildup an a stiff brush will remove soil.
  • Store in a dry place to avoid rust, even though it’s stainless steel.
  • Periodically oil the blade and handle for longevity. The oil will provide a protective coating for the blade and prevent the handle from drying out and splitting.