Are ARS pruners made in Japan?
Yes. ARS Corporation has manufactured its tools in Japan since 1929, and all ARS pruners, shears, and saws are still produced there. The blades are forged from high-carbon Japanese steel, hand-ground, and heat-treated for edge retention that stands apart from import-grade tools. The "ARS Japan" branding you see on the product is accurate — these are not licensed copies made elsewhere.
What is the difference between ARS pruners and ARS long reach pruners?
ARS hand pruners are compact bypass-style tools designed for cuts within arm's reach — typically used for stems, small branches, and detail work up to about 3/4 inch in diameter. ARS long reach pruners (also called pole pruners or loppers-on-a-pole) attach a pruning head to an aluminum or fiberglass pole, with fixed lengths from 4 to 6 feet and telescoping models reaching 7 to 10 feet. The long reach models use the same high-carbon bypass blade geometry but are designed for overhead canopy work without a ladder. Some models include a 180-degree rotating head for awkward angles.
Can I get replacement parts and blades for ARS tools?
Yes — AM Leonard stocks ARS replacement blade sets, springs, and cutter blade assemblies for most current pruner and long reach pruner models. Replacement parts are sold separately and are designed to restore a worn tool to full performance rather than requiring a complete replacement. When ordering, match the blade set to your specific model number (printed on the tool). The Replacement Parts filter on this page shows everything currently in stock.
What do ARS hedge shears cut, and how do they compare to ARS hand pruners?
ARS hedge shears are two-handed tools built for shaping shrubs, topiaries, and hedgerows — work that requires long, sweeping cuts across many small stems rather than precise single cuts. The ARS lineup includes standard hedge shears with 6-inch blades, a topiary model for fine sculpting, and telescoping versions that extend the overall length for tall hedges without overreaching. ARS hand pruners (and the scissor-style shears) are one-handed tools for individual stem cuts. Use hedge shears for volume work on shrubs; use hand pruners or bypass pruners for precise cuts on individual branches.
Is AM Leonard an authorized dealer for ARS tools?
Yes. AM Leonard is an authorized stocking distributor for ARS Corporation, which means the tools sold here are genuine ARS products — not gray-market imports or unauthorized resales. Buying through an authorized channel also ensures that warranty claims and replacement part requests are supported. AM Leonard has supplied professional horticulturists, arborists, and landscape crews since 1885, and the ARS line is a core part of the cutting-tool offering.
