AusBonsai

Whilst I don't question the service and fast delivery. How are the price and quality compared to other well known Japanese brands(say Kikuwa, Nippon Nichi, Masakuni......)?
I'd love to know if anyone has actually used the different Japanese brand and what their experiences are.


Regards


Tien

bonsaisensation wrote:Whilst I don't question the service and fast delivery. How are the price and quality compared to other well known Japanese brands(say Kikuwa, Nippon Nichi, Masakuni......)?
I'd love to know if anyone has actually used the different Japanese brand and what their experiences are.


Regards


Tien

I have no experience with the others. I was advised by other on this forum that KANESHIN was the go. Others have had KANESHIN tools for 30 odd years, with no issues and they are still sharp. That was good enough for me...

Great reviews..... I'm looking at getting a knob cutter, soil sieve & watering wand. Anyone have any experience with the blue watering wand they have for sale?

bonsaisensation wrote:Whilst I don't question the service and fast delivery. How are the price and quality compared to other well known Japanese brands(say Kikuwa, Nippon Nichi, Masakuni......)?
I'd love to know if anyone has actually used the different Japanese brand and what their experiences are.


Regards


Tien

I have regular branch cutters that I purchased years ago and I am interested by what the website talks about in regards to the overlapping edge. Mine are about 4 years old and they don't cut well anymore because they meet perfectly at the ends, but if they overlapped they would still cut well I presume.

However I am always reluctant to purchase from overseas and would prefer to support our local bonsai nurserys to see if they offer the overlapping feature for my next purchase.

Rory wrote:

bonsaisensation wrote:Whilst I don't question the service and fast delivery. How are the price and quality compared to other well known Japanese brands(say Kikuwa, Nippon Nichi, Masakuni......)?
I'd love to know if anyone has actually used the different Japanese brand and what their experiences are.


Regards


Tien

I have regular branch cutters that I purchased years ago and I am interested by what the website talks about in regards to the overlapping edge. Mine are about 4 years old and they don't cut well anymore because they meet perfectly at the ends, but if they overlapped they would still cut well I presume.

However I am always reluctant to purchase from overseas and would prefer to support our local bonsai nurserys to see if they offer the overlapping feature for my next purchase.

You can buy high quality tools from aussie suppliers, but yuo pay more than you have to... I too like to support local business, but local business cant match the price i can get the tools for direct.
and price

Homer911 wrote:Great reviews..... I'm looking at getting a knob cutter, soil sieve & watering wand. Anyone have any experience with the blue watering wand they have for sale?

I have a Kaneshin watering wand purchased around 25 years ago. The older Kaneshin model had no plastic fittings - all metal only.
Still works as well as the day I bought it.

bonsaisensation wrote:Whilst I don't question the service and fast delivery. How are the price and quality compared to other well known Japanese brands(say Kikuwa, Nippon Nichi, Masakuni......)?
I'd love to know if anyone has actually used the different Japanese brand and what their experiences are.


Regards


Tien

Hey Tien,
I have some (carbon Steel) Kaneshin, Kikuwa and Roshi tools. I have to say that the Kaneshin and Kikuwa look and feel a lot more sturdy and we'll made than the Roshi.

The black Steel looks painted on withvthe Roshi, but it looks part of the steel with the Kaneshin and Kikuwa.

Roshi are an excellent starting point though.

::EDIT::
Out of curiosity, what brand of tool do they sell at Bonsai South? Because that's where I got my root pruning shears from.

bonsaisensation wrote:Whilst I don't question the service and fast delivery. How are the price and quality compared to other well known Japanese brands(say Kikuwa, Nippon Nichi, Masakuni......)?
I'd love to know if anyone has actually used the different Japanese brand and what their experiences are.


Regards


Tien

I've used Kikuwa, Kaneshin and Masakuni, along with some no name Japanese tools. Kikuwa and Kaneshin are quite similar in quality and price. Out of the two I prefer Kaneshin, they feel a bit heavier in my hand than Kikuwa does. Other than that they are the same. Biggest selling point for Kaneshin is definitely some of their tool designs. They have some unique, but, extremely useful tools that none of the other companies have. I've got these tweezers:

http://kaneshin.shop.multilingualcart.c ... py_86.html

Incredibly good for needle plucking and bud selecting.

Masakuni are incredibly light. They make what I think are the two best wire cutters on the market, a very small scissor style one and long handled ones. Both are incredibly light, but, extremely strong being able to cut medium sized copper easily. Can't say anything about their branch cutters or other tools.

thanks Jarad and Evan,
i am curious because i have spent 2 weeks recently making contact with several(6 in fact) japanese bonsai tool suppliers, comparing their range of tools and prices. both Kaneshin and Kikuwa are impressive with their range and varieties. Kaneshin is the most affordable in price.
Masakuni on the other hand, i have heard great things about their tools but have yet to buy one of their tools to try (easily double the price of other japanese brands). one big selling point, i was told, tree saps don't stick (very minimal anyway)to the cutting blade of the Masakuni tools.



regards

[quote="bonsaisensation"]thanks Jarad and Evan,
one big selling point, i was told, tree saps don't stick (very minimal anyway)to the cutting blade of the Masakuni tools. [quote]

Hello Bonsaisensation,

The what don't stick.

Doesn't matter what tree - it all sticks. That's the purpose, it traps the bugs and drowns them, besides other things.

Be wary - what's the additive - Teflon? If so, i heard the aliens gave us that - i would trust that.

Whatever you buy, enjoy the experience of using it.

Kevin

Jarad wrote:

bonsaisensation wrote:Whilst I don't question the service and fast delivery. How are the price and quality compared to other well known Japanese brands(say Kikuwa, Nippon Nichi, Masakuni......)?
I'd love to know if anyone has actually used the different Japanese brand and what their experiences are.


Regards


Tien

Hey Tien,
I have some (carbon Steel) Kaneshin, Kikuwa and Roshi tools. I have to say that the Kaneshin and Kikuwa look and feel a lot more sturdy and we'll made than the Roshi.

The black Steel looks painted on withvthe Roshi, but it looks part of the steel with the Kaneshin and Kikuwa.

Roshi are an excellent starting point though.

::EDIT::
Out of curiosity, what brand of tool do they sell at Bonsai South? Because that's where I got my root pruning shears from.

I bought Kaneshin wire cutters from Bonsai South about 4 months ago.....

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Just to add. I bought a Kaneshin Clean Mate cleaning block the other day. A little bit of coconut oil and all my tools look brand new!

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Kevin
I also questioned that a bit, I was hoping that Masakuni users might be able to chime in on that. So far I have gathered that they are light weight and durable. Durability is essential with wire cutters. The handles often bent after extended use especially after cutting thick wires.

Reece wrote: I bought Kaneshin wire cutters from Bonsai South about 4 months ago.....

The signature on the root pruners I got from there is different to the one on my Kaneshin tools.

I'm going to try out the pine sap thing tomorrow. See if i can find some masakuni scissors lying around. The trick they use in Japan is to dip your scissors in water while doing anything sap heavy.

Would definitely go with getting Kaneshin. See if you can get a professional price for bulk orders. Bought from their stand at Gafu-ten with professional price, ended up being 50% off for tools. I've heard Masakuni never give that kind of discount at all, maybe at most 5% off retail.