Mini Crean Mate (Rust Eraser & Tool Cleaner)

Mini but mighty cleaning stick for steel garden tools

By popular demand, a mini (approx. half size) version of our best-selling rust and sap eraser: the Niwaki Crean Mate.

Clean tools are safe, effective tools. Easily remove sap and rust from all parts of your secateurs and other steel tools with a Crean Mate, water and good old fashioned elbow grease. So easy and so satisfying, you might find yourself getting your tools dirty just to experience the thrill of returning them to their former glory.

Use in combination with a Sharpening Stone and a light coating of Camellia Oil.

A note on the name: yes, it is Crean Mate not Clean Mate. An early mistranslation stuck and now we can’t imagine it being called anything else.

• 29g
• 18 x 18 x 65mm
• Made in Japan

CARING FOR OUR TOOLS

Most of our sharp tools are made from carbon steel - this means they may, through regular use, stain (and eventually rust) and gradually lose their edge. Caring for them involves three things…

1. Correct Use:

• Japanese steel is hard and sharp, and can be more brittle than some people are used to - it will chip if abused
• Do not cut wire, metal, stone, plastic or any other hard material (even bamboo fibres and some very hard woods, especially knots and burrs, can damage steel edges)
• Do not twist or apply uneven pressure
• Cut diagonally across branches (not straight across) so you cut along the fibres
• Pay attention to our maximum cut dimensions, and don’t overdo it (shears are not loppers)
• Use the base of the blades, not the tips, for heavier cuts

2. Keeping Them Clean:

• Remove leaf resin, rust and gunk with a Crean Mate and water
• Dry, wipe over with Camellia oil and store in a dry place