What's more important: concave cutter or spherical?

[Orion]

I'm planning to buy tools but don't really know the difference. They're both for making hollow cuts for faster healing, except for the shape what's the difference really? I just need strong confirmation/assurance from some of you masters out there...

[Jamie]

im no master but both tools have different uses, the concave branch cutter obviously for branches which will leave a concave at the trunk where the branch comes from, the spherical cutting is used for cleaning up the cut. if you have money for both it wouldnt hurt but if not you can get away with the concave branch cutter to start with then look at the getting a spherical one later down the track

i have only ever had the concave branch cutters, do want a spherical one eventually though!

[Grant Bowie]

Probably better to call them
1. Branch or side cutter
2. Knob cutter
and of course there is a third, the combination side cutter/knob cutter.

The most commonly used is the basic Branch or side cutter.

Also get good quality tools; don't bother with cheap rubbish.

Good hunting and using.

Grant

[Bougy Fan]

When we say spherical are we talking about a knob cutter ? If so they are just used for cleaning up after a branch has been cut to stop the wound callousing. The cut is spherical (naturally) and the scar sort of goes in instead of sticking out. You can't really use them to cut branches off. Does that make sense

[Asus101]

Probably better to call them
1. Branch or side cutter
2. Knob cutter
and of course there is a third, the combination side cutter/knob cutter.

The most commonly used is the basic Branch or side cutter.

Also get good quality tools; don't bother with cheap rubbish.

Good hunting and using.

Grant

[Pup]

As Grant said the other option is the combination spherical and knob cutter a bit dearer but still cheaper than two. That comes later.

The Knob cutter was the prefered choice of Ernie Kou for carving his tree's. Even the one given by the US president as a gift to the Japanese he carved with a knob cutter.

Hope this helps, cheers Pup

[Mitchell]

Probably better to call them
1. Branch or side cutter
2. Knob cutter
and of course there is a third, the combination side cutter/knob cutter.

The most commonly used is the basic Branch or side cutter.

Also get good quality tools; don't bother with cheap rubbish.

Good hunting and using.

Grant

I believe he is asking what the difference is between a standard concave branch cutter and a spherical branch cutter. Normal concave branch cutters have a straight cutting edge that gives a concave cut.
Spherical branch cutters have a spherical cutting edge that gives a cut more akin to knob cutters.

[bodhidharma]

I use a combination branch and concave in stainless and it is the bee's knees

[Pup]

I use a combination branch and concave in stainless and it is the bee's knees

Only way to go

[stymie]

I had a straight concave cutting branch tool and a Wem (Knob cutter). I gave the branch cutter to my daughter and replaced it with the combination stainless steel variety since which I have never used the wem. This is the most useful tool in my arsenal and I could do a complete styling session with nothing else. When walking round a group at a workshop, its the only thing that I carry around.

[Joel]

I have never heard of a combination. Is it like a regular knob cutter but with the handles on an angle so the branch doesnt get in the way? Im intrigued.

If a beginner cant afford both or a combination, how about a pair of good secateurs and a knob cutter?

Joel

[Grant Bowie]

My basic cutters Left to Right.JPG

1. small size branch cutter (Small size)
2. medium combination cutter (Standard size)
3. Medium knob cutter (Standard size)
4. Juniper nipper

I have only ever "lost" (had stolen) one tool in my life and it was a pair of spring loaded Masakuni Juniper nippers.
There is still an amnesty for the thief and even though the tool would be about 30 years old now I would still take it back no questions asked. A reward is offered for information leading to the arrest and incarceration if the thief doesn't come forward! In fact hanging is too good for err ooops better not.

Combination cutter from side.JPG

Juniper nipper.JPG

Juniper nipper from side.JPG

Kaneshin I think.

The Masakuni Juniper nippers were better in that the blades were slightly longer and pointed and slipped in between the scale foliage of the scale junipers like procumbens and squamata prostrata. They were spring loaded to lightly spring back after the cut.

Grant

[Mitchell]

My basic cutters Left to Right.JPG

1. small size branch cutter (Small size)
2. medium combination cutter (Standard size)
3. Medium knob cutter (Standard size)
4. Juniper nipper


Grant

So a spherical branch cutter would be.... #2??


Edit~... OK so a spherical is a combination cutter.

[JayP]

juat to clarify the tool above named as a combination cutter is indeed a spherical branch cutter, however its the first time i have heard it being called a combination cutter! the practical difference between a normal and sperical branch cutter is.. a normal branch cutter will give you a cut that is flush with the trunk. the sherical branch cutter will take a scallop out of the trunk, which helps with trees that are prone to more pronounced wounds, like maples etc. the scar tissue rolls into the hollow, which will give a much nicer looking wound and a less pronounced one!

[Mitchell]

juat to clarify the tool above named as a combination cutter is indeed a spherical branch cutter, however its the first time i have heard it being called a combination cutter! the practical difference between a normal and sperical branch cutter is.. a normal branch cutter will give you a cut that is flush with the trunk. the sherical branch cutter will take a scallop out of the trunk, which helps with trees that are prone to more pronounced wounds, like maples etc. the scar tissue rolls into the hollow, which will give a much nicer looking wound and a less pronounced one!

Thanks JayP, just wanted it clarified for the OP, as I think we may have been confusing them more-so than helping them. I too have only heard them referenced / sold as spherical cutters not combo cutters. After searching Google I now find references to the "combo" title.
Is it really a "combo" though? A knob cutter is a knob cutter and a branch cutter is a branch cutter. A spherical cutter is a kind of branch cutter, that has a likeness to a knob cutter. I guess "combo" could be an appropriate term, if it substitutes the need for a knob cutter.



EDIT- WooT!! 300 posts!
And how ironic, a branch cutter added to my toolkit.. Nice touch!