Recommended Usage Scenes for Kokuyo's Hakoake | Versatile Uses in Shopping, Moving, Office, and Outdoor Activities
5 Scenes Where Hakoake Shines: Excelling in Any Situation
Kokuyo's 2-way portable scissors, "Hakoake," combine a box cutter mode and a scissor mode into one portable stationery tool. Not only does it safely open cardboard boxes, but it can also cut tape and manage strings, covering all daily "cutting and opening" scenarios with one item.
Previously, it was necessary to use a regular cutter knife to open cardboard boxes and separately prepare scissors for cutting packing materials and tape. Carrying two tools increases your load, making it inconvenient, and if left in a shared space, you may spend time searching for the tools with questions like, "Where is it?" Hakoake is the ultimate companion that resolves such everyday stresses by serving two purposes in one.
This article will introduce five specific scenarios in which Hakoake is actively utilized: shopping, moving, office, outdoor, and travel. It will also explain how to differentiate between cut mode and scissor mode in each scenario, providing references for both those who have already purchased and those considering a purchase.
Scene 1: Unboxing Daily Delivery Packages from Online Shopping [Most Common Scenario]
Japan's online shopping market is one of the largest in the world, and according to the Consumer Affairs Agency, the number of online shopping users has been increasing year by year, with millions of packages delivered monthly. It is not uncommon for people to receive packages daily from platforms such as Amazon, Rakuten, and Yahoo Shopping. For overseas buyers, the trend of bulk purchasing using Japanese online shopping services is also on the rise, and the need to "open neatly and safely" upon delivery is universal.
The most common use for Hakoake is unboxing packages received from online shopping. Using a regular cutter knife to open cardboard boxes poses a risk of cutting too deeply and damaging the contents. This risk is particularly significant when fragile items such as glass products, precision instruments, and books are involved, making the stress during unboxing quite high. Hakoake's unboxing cutter mode is designed to offer blade exposure of only 1-3mm, allowing for precise cuts that match the thickness of the cardboard, thus minimizing the risk of damaging the product.
Comparison of Unboxing Stress:
- Unboxing with a regular cutter → Risk of damaging the product, difficult to adjust blade angle
- Unboxing with Hakoake → Safe and secure, completed in a short time, less hand fatigue
After opening the outer box, simply switch to scissor mode to smoothly cut through air packing (bubble cushioning) or tape.
Smoothly Opening Cardboard with Cutter Mode
Hakoake's unboxing cutter mode is designed so that you can smoothly slice along the cardboard seam by sliding the side of the main body without applying excessive force. If you use it with the image of making incisions on the surface of the cardboard, you can open it safely without the blade reaching the contents.
For example, when the sneakers or home appliances ordered from a shopping site arrive, simply placing the cutter mode blade on the tape on the top side of the cardboard and sliding it will quickly complete the unboxing. There is no hassle of pushing the blade in and out like a regular cutter, and when you're done, you just need to slide it back to safely conceal the blade. Since the blade extension is always limited to 1 to 3 mm, there is no risk of damaging the items inside the cardboard even if too much force is applied.
The blade extension is kept to a maximum of about 3 mm, making it relatively safe for children to use. However, since it is still a blade, it is recommended that adults supervise small children while using it. In Japanese, the expression "opening without damaging the cardboard" is often used, and this is precisely what the unpacking cutter mode of Hakoake excels at.
Hakoake Unboxing vs Regular Cutter:
- Hakoake: Blade extends 1-3mm so there is no danger to the contents, can cut with light force, and retracts when finished
- Regular Cutter: Blade extends more than 5mm, difficult to control the force, risk of damaging the contents
Switch to Scissor Mode to Handle Tape and Packing Material
After unboxing the cardboard, it is necessary to cut the air packing or cushioning material bags to remove the contents. At this time, switching to scissor mode is convenient. Just opening the main body allows it to be used as scissors, so there is no need to switch between a cutter and scissors. This allows for a smooth transition from unboxing to handling packing materials.
Shipping boxes often have multiple layers of tape such as packing tape or OPP tape. After opening the entire box in cutter mode, cutting the tape left on the flap (the folded part of the cardboard) with scissors will allow you to neatly fold the cardboard flat and recycle it. In many municipalities in Japan, cardboard is collected as recyclable waste, and it is required to be neatly folded before disposal. Scissor mode is also useful in this cleanup scenario. In an environment where many packages arrive daily, this smooth cleanup contributes to reducing daily stress.
Moreover, air packing used for packaging glass products or precision instruments can often be difficult to tear by hand, but making a few cuts in scissor mode makes it easy to remove the contents. Furthermore, since the cutter or scissors placed in shared spaces or kitchens are handled by multiple people, hygiene can be a concern, but if you have Hakoake for your personal desk, you won’t need to worry about that. The fact that it can cover everything from cutting to aftercare with one tool is one of the reasons why Hakoake is supported by heavy online shopping users.
Scene 2: A Strong Ally During Moving Season [Greatly Active in the Season of High Cardboard Consumption]
In Japan, from March to April each year, there is a sharp increase in people moving due to school transitions, employment, and transfers. This period is called "moving season," and it is a phenomenon where reservations for moving services can be booked months in advance due to concentrated demand. Many immigrants and international students also often start their new lives in Japan during this period, relying on themselves to handle moving tasks.
Generally, around 30 to 80 cardboard boxes are used for moving.
During the packing stage, we close the boxes with duct tape, and once we arrive at our new home, we continue the successive task of opening a large number of cardboard boxes in order. Especially since we have to unpack within the limited time of the first night and weekends, improving the efficiency of the task is a significant challenge. If we prepare a box cutter and scissors separately at this time, the number of tools increases, making the workspace cramped, and we may end up spending time looking for tools like, "Where did I put the scissors?" If we have a single Hakoake, we can efficiently switch between cutting and scissor tasks.
How to Use Cutter Mode to Improve Unpacking Efficiency
During unpacking at the new home, we continuously open cardboard boxes one after another. The Hakoake's cutter mode allows us to open the boxes simply by sliding along the duct tape that is adhered in a straight line or in a cross shape at the top of the cardboard, preventing troubles like breaking nails while trying to peel the tape by hand.
Assuming a move involving 30 boxes of cardboard, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to unpack them all with a regular cutter. Using Hakoake can greatly reduce this time. When continuously opening 10 or 20 boxes, we may be concerned about the strain on our wrists, but the shape of the Hakoake fits easily in the hand, allowing us to cut the tape of the cardboard smoothly without exerting too much force, thus reducing hand fatigue. We can also continue working while stacking the unpacked cardboard boxes, efficiently utilizing the busy time of the moving day.
Handle Strings, Tapes, and Packing Materials with Scissor Mode
During unpacking after moving, it is also necessary to handle the newspapers and bubble wrap that wrapped the dishes and clothes inside the cardboard boxes. Moreover, the scissor mode is useful when bundling multiple cardboard boxes together with string for disposal.
The large amount of cardboard (30 to 80 boxes) generated after moving is typically sent for resource collection by the municipality or taken to a recycling station. When folding the cardboard and tying it with string, there is a task of cutting the excess part of the string with scissors. Additionally, when processing air packing or bubble wrap, scissors are useful for cutting them into small pieces for easier fitting into bags. Having scissors makes it quicker to pack newspapers used for wrapping into bags. During the startup phase of a new life, Hakoake can cover a variety of "cutting" tasks with just one tool, demonstrating sufficient capability as a moving tool. Also, immediately after moving, unpacking various furniture and appliances is necessary, but with Hakoake, the unpacking tasks in each room can be carried out smoothly.
Scene 3: Daily Tasks in the Office [As an Essential Desk Item]
Hakoake is not only for personal use but also widely applicable for daily tasks in the office. Its compact size (approximately 16 cm in total length) fits neatly in a desk drawer, allowing for quick access and use even during customer service or phone calls. In Japanese office culture, there are various situations where "opening and cutting" tasks occur regularly, such as receiving deliveries, organizing documents, and unpacking supplies, so having one on the desk can be quite useful.
A common issue in offices is not knowing where the cutter or scissors are located.
Depending on the company, there are cases where cutters and scissors are placed in the general affairs department or shared office spaces, but shared tools used by multiple people raise hygiene concerns. If you have a designated Hakoa-ke at your personal desk, it eliminates the hassle of having to go all the way to the general affairs department to retrieve one, making it more hygienic. In global offices with many foreign staff, the simple operation of Hakoa-ke, which is user-friendly for anyone, blends seamlessly as a desk tool.
For Receiving Packages and Materials Delivered to the Company
In corporate offices, various packages such as office supplies, printed materials, equipment, samples, and deliveries addressed to individual employees arrive almost daily. General affairs or reception staff need to open cardboard boxes when receiving and distributing these items to the relevant departments. It is inefficient to go to the delivery room each time multiple packages arrive at once.
When purchasing new office supplies, large cardboard boxes also arrive during delivery, requiring unpacking. The same applies to boxes of copy paper, staplers, tape dispensers, and other equipment. In such cases, a user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing unboxing tool is required. Hakoa-ke comes in various colors and looks natural as a stationery item even when placed on the desk. Furthermore, its compact storage design ensures that it can be safely stored around cluttered documents and materials without exposing any blades, making it safe to use even when receiving imported goods or samples from abroad.
Situations for Everyday Desk Work
In office desk work, there are various “cutting” scenarios that occur aside from opening cardboard boxes. Opening envelopes or packages received by mail (using scissor mode to neatly cut the top of the envelope), cutting tapes or strings that bind multiple documents, trimming excess labels during filing tasks, and trimming unnecessary parts of print paper are all tasks that involve frequent use of cutting tools.
This also includes unwrapping materials or items received via internal mail, removing packaging from books or brochures, and handling tape when sticking posters or flyers. Additionally, in Japanese companies, there is a culture of departments or individuals bringing in snacks or treats, which presents opportunities to use scissors for opening snack bags or boxes. In such everyday little scenarios, Hakoa-ke, which can be immediately pulled out from a desk drawer, plays a vital role. Because it serves the functions of both a cutter and scissors in one tool, there is no need to place multiple tools on the desk, contributing to tidiness and organization. Whether for sales staff while out in the field or for office workers during tasks, it becomes a reliable companion that is always ready for use.
Scene 4: Outdoor and Camping [Situations Where Compact Size Shines]
In recent years, more people in Japan are enjoying camping and outdoor activities, and there are increasing cases of travelers from abroad visiting Japan for camping and nature experiences. In outdoor scenes, reducing weight and size of gear is crucial, and tools that can perform multiple functions with a single item are highly valued. Hakoa-ke has a portable size of approximately 16 cm in length and weighs just about 50 g, yet it features both cutting and scissor functions, making it an excellent match for outdoor scenarios.
At campsites, various cutting situations arise such as opening food bags, cutting ropes or strings, removing tags for tent setup, and opening packages of freeze-dried food.
Instead of going through the trouble of preparing a large knife or scissors, if you have a Hakoake in the side pocket of your backpack or in your pouch, you can take it out easily when needed. Carrying a regular cutter and scissors separately can be bulky and poses a risk of damaging your luggage, but with Hakoake, the blade is completely tucked away, providing peace of mind.
For preparing ingredients and supplies for camping
In cooking preparations at camp, there are many occasions where you need to open packages of ingredients. Whether it's meat or vegetables wrapped in cling film from the supermarket, seasoning in aluminum bags, or zip-locked storage bags, being able to quickly open them in cutter mode or scissor mode helps the cooking process go smoothly. You can easily open aluminum bags of freeze-dried foods by lightly cutting them with Hakoake in cutter mode.
Additionally, scissor mode is useful when cutting ropes and guylines to the appropriate length while setting up tents or tarps. It is also handy for dealing with excess portions of paracord. It’s the same when removing tags, ties, or packaging tape from new camping gear. Since the blade is designed to fold compactly, it is safe to leave it on the table, and can be used with confidence even in the hectic outdoor environment. During night operations, it also provides sufficient visibility if you have a small headlamp.
Compact size minimizes your load
For backpackers and solo campers, the weight and volume of luggage are always a concern. Carrying a regular cutter (approximately 50g) and scissors (approximately 60g) separately increases your weight by more than 110g, but by integrating it into one Hakoake (approximately 50g), you can effectively reduce packing weight. The weight difference is about 60g, which makes a big difference for a 3-4 night trek.
When not in use, the blade of the Hakoake completely nestles inside the body, eliminating the worry of damaging other items inside your backpack. Additionally, being safely portable even without a dedicated case is a significant advantage as an outdoor carrying tool. When moving through complex terrain during mountain treks, you can comfortably use it without worrying about the blade protruding. The point of being able to secure the 'cutting' function while reducing the number of tools is appreciated by many outdoor enthusiasts during backpack travel abroad. The trust in the product quality of KOKUYO, a Japanese stationery brand, is also one of the reasons why overseas users choose Hakoake.
Scene 5: Travel/Business Trips [Convenient tool to sneak into your suitcase]
Traveling and business trips come with various situations of 'opening and cutting'. Receiving baggage delivered to the hotel, opening packages of souvenirs purchased at travel destinations, and opening souvenirs packed in suitcases to distribute are all scenes where Hakoake can be surprisingly useful even while traveling. The compact Hakoake fits neatly into the side pocket of your suitcase or travel pouch. By effectively utilizing space inside your suitcase, you can also pack more souvenirs and necessities.
In particular, Hakoake shines as an unpacking tool during the scenes of sending baggage from Japan overseas or having items delivered to an overseas address through international shopping.
In addition, when receiving packages delivered to the office during business trips, the Hakoake you have on hand is immediately usable and convenient. On business trips that cover multiple countries, there are many instances where you need to open souvenirs and necessities at various locations, and the ability to handle this with a single tool is a significant advantage.
Useful for Shopping and Opening Luggage While Traveling
When you want to open the packaging of products purchased at local shopping malls or drugstores during your trip, you often don't have a handy cutter or scissors at hand. Especially when purchasing souvenirs, when you want to open or adjust gift boxes that are wrapped with ribbons and wrapping paper, having a Hakoake allows you to handle it promptly. By putting the Hakoake in your bag or suitcase, organizing your luggage in your hotel room or opening the packaging of souvenirs becomes smoother. It is also convenient for opening the packaging of snacks or candies purchased on the Shinkansen or airplane during transit.
In business trips, there may be cases where you bring sample products or materials to a client's company or trading partner. In such situations, having a Hakoake allows you to efficiently open cardboard boxes or packing materials. Additionally, while staying in Asian countries for a long time, when products purchased online are delivered, the Hakoake serves as a useful opening tool. The Hakoake is appreciated for its reliability and ease of use, being made in Japan, and has a growing number of users in the Japanese community living overseas.
Notes on Carrying on an Airplane
When bringing the Hakoake on a trip, it is important to check the rules regarding carrying it onto an airplane in advance. Since the Hakoake has a blade (opening cutter) built in, there is a possibility that carrying it onto the aircraft may be restricted.
Generally, there are restrictions on knives and sharp objects in carry-on luggage for airplanes, and it may be prohibited to bring them depending on the length and type of the blade. This is particularly strictly regulated for international flights. Within Japan, each airline judges based on the standard that the length of the blade should be 6 cm or less. Although the blade exposure of the Hakoake is very small at a maximum of 3 mm, the total length of the blade body may be an issue. Since judgments may vary depending on the security rules of each airline and airport, prior confirmation is essential.
If safety is a priority, it is strongly recommended to pack the Hakoake in checked luggage, such as a suitcase. At major airport securities like Narita, Haneda, and Kansai International Airports, if a cutter is found in carry-on luggage, it may be confiscated for safety reasons. If you are considering bringing it onto the airplane, please check the official website of the airline you are flying with or the security guidelines of the departure airport in advance. The rules may differ depending on domestic and international flights. Following the spirit of "A prepared traveler is a worry-free traveler," researching whether it can be brought on board before your trip is the best way to avoid troubles.
Summary: The Hakoake is a Portable Tool for All Opening Scenarios
This article introduced five scenarios in which the KOKUYO Hakoake excels (online shopping, moving, office, outdoor, and travel) along with specific situations. Its 2-way design allows you to switch between the opening cutter mode and scissors mode, covering a wide range of tasks beyond just "opening boxes," including handling tape, string, and packing materials.
With its compact size that makes it easy to carry and a design that safely houses the blade, Hakoake's strength lies in its ability to respond to any situation. It naturally fits into the drawers of a heavy online shopping user's desk, in the packing of camping gear, and in the side pockets of a suitcase. Just having one on hand makes it a reassuring presence that can easily solve all kinds of everyday 'opening and cutting' scenarios.
Recommended blade types by scene:
- For heavy online shopping users: Standard unpacking cutter blade (durability that withstands daily use)
- For those planning to move: Comes with a set of spare blades (for large-scale unpacking)
- For office workers: Models with a rich variety of colors (great for the desk)
- For outdoor enthusiasts: Models focused on durability (for harsh environments)
- For business travelers: Compact micro model (emphasizing lightweight)
For more detailed information, please also check out “A thorough explanation of KOKUYO's Hakoake | How to choose types, tips on usage, and how to purchase from overseas.”
