A Comprehensive Comparison of All KOKUYO Hakoake Types | Differences and Selection Guide for Titanium Blades, Glueless Blades, and Cutter Types
KOKUYO's Hakoake is a mobile tool born in Japan that consolidates "Unpacking Cutter Mode" and "Scissors Mode" into one. Compact yet highly practical, it is widely used for everything from unpacking delivery packages to wrapping tasks. Hakoake comes in two main body types and four blade specifications, with combinations affecting usability and price.
When considering a purchase, many might wonder, "Which combination is right for me?" With four types to choose from—Standard Blade, Titanium Blade, Glueless Blade, and Titanium + Glueless Blade—plus the choice between a mobile type or standard type, there are a total of eight options. While this may seem like a lot at first glance, understanding the selection criteria based on your usage will ensure you find the best tool for you. In this article, we'll clearly compare the differences and explain how to make the best choice for your needs.
The Two Types of Hakoake: Differences Between the Mobile Scissors Type and Scissors Type
Hakoake features two series with different body shapes: the "2-Way Mobile Scissors Type" and the "2-Way Scissors Type." Both have two functions: unpacking cutter and scissors, but they differ in grip shape, size, and portability. Before selecting the type of blade, let's first determine which body type fits your usage best.
Features of the 2-Way Mobile Scissors Type (Equipped with Unpacking Cutter)
The 2-Way Mobile Scissors Type has the most compact body shape in the Hakoake series. Measuring approximately 15 cm in length, 5 cm in width, about 1.5 cm in thickness, and weighing around 25 g, its size makes it easily fit into pen cases, pouches, or the side pockets of bags. It adopts a 2-Way mechanism that switches between "Unpacking Cutter Mode" and "Scissors Mode" when the body is opened or rotated. The grip is slim, designed to allow fingers to securely catch on, providing a stable feel despite its small size.
This tool excels particularly in situations where you want to minimize the amount of belongings, such as while out and about or traveling. Whether you want to open a package received at a café, keep it in your office desk drawer, or use it on a business trip, its convenience for easy access and use anywhere is its standout feature. It is especially popular among students, frequent online shoppers, and minimalists.
Features of the 2-Way Scissors Type
The 2-Way Scissors Type features a larger grip closer to that of conventional scissors. Its overall length is approximately 18 cm, making it 2 to 3 cm longer than the mobile scissors type. Weighing about 35 g, it is slightly heavier, but the handle fits snugly in the palm, significantly improving operational usability as scissors. The inside of the grip is rubber-coated to prevent slipping during long usage and to reduce strain on the hands.
It is designed for everyday use, ideally kept near desks or workstations. Those who use scissors frequently or for extended periods will find it comfortable, reducing fatigue during long tasks. People who frequently engage in wrapping tasks or regularly open documents in an office often find this standard size to be more comfortable.
This is a suitable choice for those who prioritize ease of use over portability.
Which type should you choose?
The criteria for selection are simple. If portability is a priority, the 2Way portable scissors type is recommended. If you plan to use them regularly at home or on your office desk, the 2Way scissors type is the way to go. If you want to use them both outdoors and for work at home, starting with the portable scissors type offers high versatility and can adapt to various situations.
Comparison of 4 types of blades: Standard, Titanium, Glueless, and Titanium + Glueless
Once you’ve decided on the type of body, the next step is to choose the type of blade. The Hakoake blades can be selected from four types: "Standard", "Titanium", "Glueless", and "Titanium + Glueless". Prices vary depending on the blade specifications, and there are differences in durability and adhesion handling. Choose the blade that suits you best by understanding the characteristics of each blade and the profile of the users they are suited for.
Standard Blade: A choice focusing on basic performance and cost-effectiveness
The Standard blade is the most affordable model in the Hakoake series (approx. 850 yen). It adopts a stainless steel blade without special coating, providing sufficient sharpness for everyday paper cutting and cardboard opening. For those who want to "try Hakoake first" or have no particular attachment to gadgets and stationery, the Standard blade is a balanced initial option. Its biggest appeal is the ability to experience the 2Way functionality of Hakoake while keeping costs low.
Titanium Blade: An upgrade for those seeking durability
The Titanium blade is a model with a titanium coating (titanium coating) on the surface of the blade. Titanium is an extremely hard metal with a Mohs hardness of about 8.5, and the thickness of the coating is typically 0.5 to 1.0μm, which is fine, but this thin layer serves to protect the stainless steel blade. With the titanium coating, it has been reported that the sharpness of the blade can be maintained for over 50% longer compared to standard stainless blades. Furthermore, it is chemically very stable, making it resistant to rust and corrosion, and it maintains quality better in high humidity environments.
It has properties that prevent degradation when used in high temperature and humidity areas like Southeast Asia, or when stored in frequently humid places like a bathroom. For households that open over 20 boxes of deliveries a month or for people who open documents in the office every day, the sharpness of a Standard blade starts to decline after about 3-4 months, while a Titanium blade can be expected to maintain sharpness for over 6 months. The price is around 1,000 yen, about a 150 yen upgrade from the Standard. Considering long-term usage, it represents a solid investment value.
Glueless Blade: A must-have for those who often work with tape
The Glueless blade is a model with a glueless coating (glueless coating / non-stick coating) on the surface of the blade. "Glueless" means it has a mechanism that makes it difficult for adhesives to stick to the blade when cutting tape, such as cellophane tape or packing tape.
When cutting tape with a standard stainless blade, the surface of the blade has fine irregularities, which causes the tape's adhesive to adhere to these irregularities. With each cut of a single tape, it adheres, and after cutting tape 20 to 30 times, the entire blade becomes sticky and gooey, reducing the accuracy of subsequent paper cutting. In that case, it is necessary to wipe the blade repeatedly with tissue or cloth, which can be very cumbersome, especially when there is a lot of packaging work.
On the other hand, the glue-less coating has the characteristic of being less likely to have adhesive materials stick due to chemical treatment of the surface, so there is no stickiness even after cutting tape more than 100 times. This eliminates the hassle of wiping the blade each time tape is cut and significantly improves work efficiency. It is especially recommended for those who ship more than 50 items a month on online flea markets like Mercari or eBay, or those who pack a large number of cardboard boxes during moving. The price is around 1,000 yen, similar to titanium blades.
Titanium + Glue-less Blade: A Premium Choice Benefiting from Both
The Titanium + Glue-less Blade is the flagship model of Hakoake, combining both titanium coating and glue-less coating. It allows you to enjoy the durability of titanium, which is "rust-resistant and maintains sharpness for a long time," and the convenience of glue-less, which is "less likely to have adhesive materials stick to the blade." The price is around 1,300 yen, making it the highest-priced in the series, but it is the most cost-effective choice for users who frequently handle tape and seek quality tools that last a long time.
Comparison of Blade Types
The differences between the four types of blades are summarized in the table below. Please refer to it before purchasing.
| Type of Blade | Titanium Coating | Glueless Coating | Approximate Price | Durability | Frequency of Use | Recommended Users |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Blade | None | None | About 850 yen | 3-4 months | Less than 5 times a month | First-time buyers / Cost-performance focused |
| Titanium Blade | Yes | None | About 1,000 yen | More than 6 months | About 10 times a month | Those who want to use it for a long time / Want to prevent rust |
| Glueless Blade | None | Yes | About 1,000 yen | 3-4 months | More than 20 times a month (tape work) | Those who often work with tape or packaging |
| Titanium + Glueless Blade | Yes | Yes | About 1,300 yen | More than 6 months | More than 20 times a month (tape work) | Those seeking both durability and adhesive measures |
Titanium coating addresses the issues of "sharpness retention and rust resistance", while glueless coating solves the issue of "comfort in tape work". Considering which element is necessary for your usage will make it easier to narrow down your choices.
Recommended Combinations by Purpose and Budget
The combination of body type and blade type varies based on your actual usage and budget. Here, we will introduce recommended combinations for four typical scenarios. Please refer to the case that is closest to your lifestyle.
For those whose main task is opening delivery packages: Standard Blade Portable Scissors
For a typical Japanese household that "receives online shopping packages 10-20 times a month", the Standard Blade 2-way portable scissors is the best option. If you shop 2-3 times a week on sites like Amazon, Rakuten, or Yahoo! Shopping, the standard blade can maintain sufficient sharpness for 3-4 months. It combines a compact size that can be placed anywhere with basic sharpness that can cut through cardboard and tape without strain.
It won't get in the way when placed on the living room table and can be easily concealed in a bag for quick opening on the go. Priced around 850 yen, it’s easy to try out and an ideal choice as an entry-level model for first-time box opening experiences.
If you are someone who does not have a particular attachment to the box cutter, this combination will be more than enough to satisfy you.
For those who frequently use tape and packaging: Glue-less blade combination
For those who ship more than 30 items a month on online flea markets like Mercari and eBay, pack dozens of boxes during a moving task, or receive a large number of packages in the office every day, we recommend glue-less blades for people who frequently use tape.
The benefits of glue-less blades go beyond just not getting sticky. When using a standard blade to cut tape 30 times, you have to wipe the blade with a tissue 5 to 10 times, causing work interruptions. However, with a glue-less blade, such interruptions are almost nonexistent, leading to a work efficiency increase of over 30% for many. Stress from packaging work significantly decreases, and your hands stay clean.
If you often work at a desk or workstation, a 2-way scissor type is recommended. If you work while moving around or need to pack items in multiple locations, a portable scissor type would be better. Since these are stationery items you use daily, reducing stress in this way adds immense value.
For those who want to use it for a long time: Titanium blade or Titanium + Glue-less blade
If you want to "take good care of your tools for a long time" or "continue using one box cutter for years," choosing a blade with titanium coating will improve long-term cost performance. **If you have infrequent tape tasks, a titanium blade (about 1,000 yen) is sufficient. On the other hand, if you frequently use tape, a titanium + glue-less blade (about 1,300 yen) **will ultimately be the most satisfying choice. The price difference of 150 to 450 yen is a small investment considering you will use it over several years.
Standard is recommended for first-time box cutter users
If you are purchasing a box cutter for the first time, we strongly recommend trying with a standard blade first. Even with a standard blade, you will have sufficient cutting ability for daily use, and you can fully experience the convenience of 2-way. If you feel the need for titanium or glue-less after trying it out, it makes sense to then purchase a higher model as a second option. Since the price difference is about 150 to 450 yen, those who upgrade with confidence will have less regret.
Conclusion: Choose the box cutter that suits you
When choosing a box cutter, it’s easier to organize your thoughts by considering "body type" → "type of blade" in that order. Below is a selection flow that can be helpful when you're unsure.
Selection flowchart:
1. First, determine the body type
- "Want to carry it outside in a bag" or "Want to keep it on the office desk" or "Compact is a priority for living alone" → 2-way portable scissor type
- "Use it every day at home desk" or "Do a lot of wrapping tasks" or "Use it for long periods" → 2-way scissor type
Next, decide on the type of blade
- "For online openings less than 5 times a month," "want to minimize costs," "first purchase" → Standard Blade (around 850 yen)
- "For online openings about 10 times a month," "high humidity environment," "want to use for a long time" → Titanium Blade (around 1,000 yen)
- "For tape work over 20 times a month," "a lot of packaging and shipping work" → Glueless Blade (around 1,000 yen)
- "For tape work over 20 times a month and for long-term use," "seeking premium quality" → Titanium + Glueless Blade (around 1,300 yen)
No matter which combination you choose, the 2-way functionality of the "Unboxing Cutter + Scissors" provided by Hakoake will make your daily life more comfortable. If you're unsure, it's reasonable to start with the Standard Blade and consider upgrading to a higher model after checking the user experience over 3-4 months. After actually using it, if you realize that "the tape work was more than I expected" or "I want more durability," you will be able to make a choice without failure.
If you want to know more, please also check out "A thorough explanation of KOKUYO's Hakoake | How to choose types, tips for use, and how to purchase from abroad".
