Recommended Tool Brands

Jason.S · Post by **Jason.S** » July 2nd, 2013, 12:22 pm

Hi Everyone,

I’m sure the question has been asked before but I’m interested to hear peoples experience / recommendations with difference brands of tools.

I’ve had some cheap but reliable tools since I first began bonsai a few of years ago. Now I’d like to begin replacing them with some better quality ones but I’m still undecided on what brand and where to get them from. The first tool I’m on the look out for is a new branch cutter.

Can anyone offer any help or guidance?

Jason · Post by **Jason** » July 2nd, 2013, 12:51 pm

Am only a beginner myself, but I was reccomended Kaneshin (thankyou Pup), and haven't looked back since. They're great quality and am very happy with them so far

I tried some of the cheaper tools, but when I bent my trimming scissors so far out of shape that they couldn't be used... I decided it was time to upgrade

Bonsaifan · Post by **Bonsaifan** » July 2nd, 2013, 1:07 pm

Jason wrote:Am only a beginner myself, but I was reccomended Kaneshin (thankyou Pup), and haven't looked back since. They're great quality and am very happy with them so far

I tried some of the cheaper tools, but when I bent my trimming scissors so far out of shape that they couldn't be used... I decided it was time to upgrade

Would agree with Jason, just bought tools from kaneshin recently (branch cutter, knob cutter, wire, root hook) all are really nicely made.

Jason.S · Post by **Jason.S** » July 2nd, 2013, 1:12 pm

Bonsaifan wrote:
Jason wrote:Am only a beginner myself, but I was reccomended Kaneshin (thankyou Pup), and haven't looked back since. They're great quality and am very happy with them so far

I tried some of the cheaper tools, but when I bent my trimming scissors so far out of shape that they couldn't be used... I decided it was time to upgrade
Would agree with Jason, just bought tools from kaneshin recently (branch cutter, knob cutter, wire, root hook) all are really nicely made.

Encouraging to hear. Kaneshin were at the top of my list so far.

Where does everyone source them from, are there any good online retailers?

Graeme · Post by **Graeme** » July 2nd, 2013, 1:36 pm

FleeBay, but make sure you are buying Kaneshin - there is some rubbish on there as well.

Bonsaifan · Post by **Bonsaifan** » July 2nd, 2013, 2:00 pm

They have a web site, I've imported from them directly.

Jason · Post by **Jason** » July 2nd, 2013, 2:11 pm

Reddragon wrote:
Bonsaifan wrote:
Jason wrote:Am only a beginner myself, but I was reccomended Kaneshin (thankyou Pup), and haven't looked back since. They're great quality and am very happy with them so far

I tried some of the cheaper tools, but when I bent my trimming scissors so far out of shape that they couldn't be used... I decided it was time to upgrade
Would agree with Jason, just bought tools from kaneshin recently (branch cutter, knob cutter, wire, root hook) all are really nicely made.
Encouraging to hear. Kaneshin were at the top of my list so far.

Where does everyone source them from, are there any good online retailers?

Buy them direct, its the cheapest source I can find. I've looked at the different stores on Ebay, and found it was still cheaper to buy direct

http://www.kaneshin.shop.multilingualcart.com/ ‎

DavidN · Post by **DavidN** » July 2nd, 2013, 2:54 pm

Any well known brands from Japan is the only way to go. Avoid all the Chinese stuff. Its absolute rubbish.

All my clubs tools are sourced from Japan and we stick to the kikuwu brand or its equivalent. We also only import/use Japanese wire at the club as well.

Hope that helps.

David

Post by **Bougy Fan** » July 2nd, 2013, 3:29 pm

Have to disagree on the Chinese stuff - have a look at Ryuga that Bonsai Environment sell. I bought a pair of stainless trimming scissors for the same price as Japanese plain steel ones. They feel great in the hand and I am very happy with the quality.

DavidN · Post by **DavidN** » July 2nd, 2013, 3:58 pm

Hi Tony,
Yep sure have tried the Ryuga brand (7 tools I tried out for the club) and found that they were on the better side of the Chinese stuff but still not as good as the carbon steel Japanese we were selling. Had the trimming scrissors blade dent and chip very quickly, found the branch cutters had a heavy feel and dulled very quickly, most other tools felt heavy in the hand when they should be light and tough. The wire cutters were good though. I guess its all in what you experience with the tools yourself and I haven't had a good experience with them so I can't recommend them.

David

Jason.S · Post by **Jason.S** » July 3rd, 2013, 12:00 pm

Thanks everyone for the input. I think I'll most likely try Kaneshin unless anyone else has any new info to add.

Everyone's experience seems to indicate Japanese tools being better quality in most cases. The Chinese tools sound a little hit and miss, perhaps not worth the trouble.

Mojo Moyogi · Post by **Mojo Moyogi** » July 3rd, 2013, 1:29 pm

Try this link to Kaneshin, the one above doesn't work.

http://kaneshin.shop.multilingualcart.com

Cheers,
Mojo

Jow · Post by **Jow** » July 3rd, 2013, 2:22 pm

Last time I checked kaneshin were not mailing to Australia because a Sydney nursery had an exclusive deal with them.

Jason · Post by **Jason** » July 3rd, 2013, 3:13 pm

Jow wrote:Last time I checked kaneshin were not mailing to Australia because a Sydney nursery had an exclusive deal with them.

We're on the shipping list, so can only assume that that arrangement is no longer happening? Hoping it isn't so

rudiprinsloo · Post by **rudiprinsloo** » July 3rd, 2013, 4:14 pm

Hi there,

I bought my Kaneshin toolkit from the address already listed and am very pleased with their service and the quality of the tools. Shipping to New Zealand was no problem at all. Only took 3 days to my door!

Here is a photo:

Sent from my Android phone using Tapatalk 2.

AusBonsai