Recommendations on bonsai tools, brands and required tools

[Gareth]

hi guys,

i have been "dabbling" in bonsai for a while, and have decided now that it is time to get serious.

So, after joining s forum, i have decided to get my hands on some decent tools, i dont want to go overboard on buying the best tools, but i dont want cheap stuff that isnt going to go the distance.

what i guess i am trying to get at is i want to know what people would recommend and suggest as decent tools that i going to last me some years, without having to spend the earth.

I appreciate you get what you pay for, and i would much rather buy stainless so it lasts, so does anyone have some recommendations on brand on tools and where i can get them?

also, what tools would be "essentials" for a novice that will get me through the first few years of my road of getting into some serious bonsai work?

i have just purchased some soil sieves from Ledanta bonsai which from what i have read are essentails as the soil is really what i need to care for and consider first and formost as without this, the tree is off to a bad start. But as these are only soil sieves im guessing the general 2, 4 and 7mm size sieves for around $35 are fine.

Look forward to hearing some suggestions.

Gareth

[Jamie]

leigh at ledanta can help you with the tools aswell, you do get what you pay for if you spend the money on some decent quality tools to start with they will last a long time!

i would suggest a concave branch cutter, a good pair of scissor style shears, snub nose wire snips for cutting wire right in close to the trunk. that is basically what i started with until i got a tool set and it got me through for a few years!

good luck and let us know how you go!

leigh has great tools at very reasonable prices!

(talk bout a plug leigh! )

[kcpoole]

Ray Nesci has a Starter tool set for sale. A bit over $100 I think
Trimming scissors, root Scissors, root rake, Branch cutter and a cloth tool roll

good value and the only tool I have replaced is the trimming scissors after about 6 years and only because I could get a Stainless pair on the cheap

All you Need to add is a pair of side / Wire cutters

Ken

[Orion]

Buyy Japanese tools as chinese are lower quality.
I would start off with a concave cutter for cutting main branches; a heavy duty shear for doing general pruning (can also be used on roots); a trimming scissor thin scissors for cutting hard to reach areas(if your tree have a dense foliage).
I would then get a knob cutter but that's just me...
Wire cutters are highly overated by just about everyone as "bonsai wire cutters" are really highly priced and a normal one from tour local hardware store will do.Just flatten the tip with a grinder (if it's even sharp).

[Pup]

Could not agree less about wire cutters. When you need to get the wire off try side cutters or the Electricians wire cutters. Then try a pair of Proper wire cutters.

Branch cutters, Scissors, and wire cutters all of carbon steel Japanese, of course are the better of the medium price tools. they will last you I have had mine for 25+ years and still working well even the wire cutters. The brand is Kaneshin

A good pair of ordinary but good secateurs, and a good sharp knife.

Cheers Pup

Ps when you have decided that Bonsai is for you, then invest in good quality Stainless steel you will notice the difference.

[Dumper]

Its not true that Japanese tool are better quality. U can get Chinese tools that are as good as Japanese tools for less.
Usually we say chinese tool are lower quality is because the Chinese produce a lot of low end tools. But they do have high end tools

[Ray M]

Hi Gareth,
It has been interesting to see some of the guys have recommended stainless steel tools. If you are good at sharpening tools that may be the way to go. Good quality high carbon tools will keep their edge for a longer period of time. I have been in bonsai for over 20 years and I still use the tools I purchased when I started bonsai. I have been helping a new friend to bonsai but before I met him he purchased some Chinese tools. He has had them for less than 1 year and they are a right off. The cutting edges are so damaged I can’t even sharpen them. A word of warning when sharpening tools. Branch cutters and knob cutters have overlapping cutting faces. If you close a branch or knob cutter and run your finger over where the cutting edges come together you will find that one of the cutting edges is higher than the other. It is most important when sharpening that you maintain this overlap.
Regards Ray

[Orion]

Pup, to me kaneshin is the best; Ive never tried it but by the looks of it they look better than masakuni... I guess they will be my final tool investment( If I ever get tools). My dads friend in Japan is looking for tools I could buy. I just hope I get the tools before next winter

Oh and thanks Ray for the advice. My friend just got his tools and was worried about sharpening them. I never knew they over lapped I always read that they're meant to not be overlapping Im confused... I'll do more research.

[Ray M]

Hi Orion,
Branch cutters and Knob cutters must overlap. If they don't you won't get a clean cut at the centre of the cut.

Regards Ray

[Leevers]

I made a thread last night asking similar questions. After seeing some of the comments written by Bonsai masters, I'm happy to say I'll be investing in some quality tools.

Thanks guys!

[rch003]

Do these look okay for a novice

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/New-Bonsai-Tools ... 1210wt_905

I went into a couple hardware stores and small side cutters were $15+ And for 18cm ones they were nearly $25 instore whereas this one is like $11 posted.

[Bougy Fan]

Hi rch003 I bought a pair of these from this store at first. As pup mentioned after trying to use side cutters proper bonsai wire cutters are a godsend. I found these OK and after discovering that proper bonsai wire cutters were worthwhile I then bought a japanese pair from Leigh when he did a special deal for members. I must admit they were about 4 times the price but the japanese pair cut cleanly every time whereas the chinese pair about every 8th cut it was not clean. Having said that I bought a pair of their no rust branch cutters which I still use every day 2 years later.

So for a novice they are acceptable. I always maintain that you buy cheap first to find out what you use and also if your interest is maintained. Then you buy quality as you afford it and the need arises.


Tony

[Taffy]

Yes, they'd be fine RC. I have a pair of Chinese wire cutters like these - and I've had them for ten years. They've never failed to cut wire for me. If you want a more comprehensive toolkit - which is ideal for a novice, have a look at this one (on the same sellers page):

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... 0499406300

I know quite a few people that have this set, and they're very happy with them. If over time, they start to wear out on you, then you can gradually replace them with better quality ones.

[rch003]

Thanks guys, I bought a 5 piece kit (root scissors, trimming shears, branch and knob cutters, fine tip trimming scissors) and have been using secetars for wire cutters

So i might just pick up some pliers and wire cutters, mixing bonsai and electrical stuff

After 2 weeks the wire was already cutting in so i had to do some emergency stuff today, thanks again guys, Once i start my own mini nursery i will get some quality stuff

I've had them so far for 4 years, minor rust/sap etc, best way to clean? saw some japanese cleaner block, how do u get them?

[Taffy]

Sounds like the way to go RC.

Those cleaner blocks are called 'CreanMate' (or something like that). Most Bonsai nurseries would most likely have them.