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My bonsai tools shopping list - any advise ?
Posted: March 1st, 2014, 12:39 pm
by bonborn
I have decided to finally spend some money on Kaneshin bonsai tool. I have decided on the following. Any comments and advise would be more than welcome.
Concave (Branch) cutter Large 3A
Knob / Knuckle cutter Large 11
Root cutter Large 14
Wire cutter Small 22A
Pliers 48
Bonsai Scissors large 40
Tree Sealer " Cut-Paste" small 160g 154H
crean mate - half size - "Weight 95g 7011
Bonsai saw 84
Branch Level Jack Medium 113S
Am i missing something ? Should i swap something for the other ? Have people used these particular tools before and recommend them or recommend otherwise. I know Kaneshin is highly regarded on this forum.
Re: My bonsai tools shopping list - any advise ?
Posted: March 1st, 2014, 1:49 pm
by Ray M
bonborn wrote:I have decided to finally spend some money on Kaneshin bonsai tool. I have decided on the following. Any comments and advise would be more than welcome.
Concave (Branch) cutter Large 3A
Knob / Knuckle cutter Large 11
Root cutter Large 14
Wire cutter Small 22A
Pliers 48
Bonsai Scissors large 40
Tree Sealer " Cut-Paste" small 160g 154H
crean mate - half size - "Weight 95g 7011
Bonsai saw 84
Branch Level Jack Medium 113S
Am i missing something ? Should i swap something for the other ? Have people used these particular tools before and recommend them or recommend otherwise. I know Kaneshin is highly regarded on this forum.
Hi bonborn,
I also have the No 10 knuckle cutter and find this tool invaluable. It allows you to tidy up much smaller areas. Even after using the large knuckle cutter the smaller one will allow you to tidy up the cut.
Regards Ray
Re: My bonsai tools shopping list - any advise ?
Posted: March 2nd, 2014, 2:05 pm
by bonborn
Thanks Ray. Will try and add that to the shopping basket as well.
Re: My bonsai tools shopping list - any advise ?
Posted: March 2nd, 2014, 3:11 pm
by Haydenmc
I have the jin pliers - 509 and love them, i use a regular old pair of cheap pliers to tension wire.
the saw is also great, but dont apply heavy pressure when using it. It will bend very easily.
I think last time I got some bits from these guys I got a root hook and a rake.
I'd be tempted to not bother with the root cutter - Just use your old tools for this job perhaps? Once they have been honed on the clean mate most blades come up pretty well - its also well worth opting for the full size, I find the half size block a bit tricky to use.
H
Re: My bonsai tools shopping list - any advise ?
Posted: March 16th, 2014, 9:12 pm
by bonborn
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Re: My bonsai tools shopping list - any advise ?
Posted: March 17th, 2014, 1:46 pm
by Jason
I'm personally getting the rounded edge branch cutters, as they can be used as knob cutters too
Sent from Jason using Tapatalk
Re: My bonsai tools shopping list - any advise ?
Posted: March 21st, 2014, 8:50 am
by bonborn
They've finally arrived. Only 3 days from dispatch. Amazing feel. I went a little overboard with the wires. Will be getting rid of the 5.5mm aluminium wire. Saved quite a few dollars.

Re: My bonsai tools shopping list - any advise ?
Posted: March 21st, 2014, 9:24 am
by Boics
Nice kit!
Enjoy!
Re: My bonsai tools shopping list - any advise ?
Posted: March 21st, 2014, 9:44 am
by joshw
Hi Bonborn,
What site did you use to order the tools?
Cheers,
Josh
Re: My bonsai tools shopping list - any advise ?
Posted: March 21st, 2014, 11:10 am
by Jason
Very nice! Looks like its christmas
How come your getting rid of the 5.5 out of curiosity? I'm going to be buying some next week, as i'm running out of the thicker stuff.
I just order from the Kaneshin website direct

as it works out the cheapest

Re: My bonsai tools shopping list - any advise ?
Posted: March 21st, 2014, 11:14 am
by bonborn
Jason wrote:Very nice! Looks like its christmas
How come your getting rid of the 5.5 out of curiosity? I'm going to be buying some next week, as i'm running out of the thicker stuff.
I just order from the Kaneshin website direct

as it works out the cheapest

The 5.5 is too thick. I got it cheaper than their online prices. Might end up keeping it or dividing it in 250g lots. Don't know for now. Let's just bask in it's glory.
Re: My bonsai tools shopping list - any advise ?
Posted: March 21st, 2014, 11:23 am
by Jason
bonborn wrote:Jason wrote:Very nice! Looks like its christmas
How come your getting rid of the 5.5 out of curiosity? I'm going to be buying some next week, as i'm running out of the thicker stuff.
I just order from the Kaneshin website direct

as it works out the cheapest

The 5.5 is too thick. I got it cheaper than their online prices. Might end up keeping it or dividing it in 250g lots. Don't know for now. Let's just bask in it's glory.
Never know when it might come in handy

I am definately green with envy mate, hope you enjoy them

Re: My bonsai tools shopping list - any advise ?
Posted: May 20th, 2016, 4:28 pm
by Noelm
Hi,
I am new here from Brisbane and making bonsai is my new hobby. I need the tools, the list shared by bomborn will be enough for me to start? and could I buy all these online easily?
Re: My bonsai tools shopping list - any advise ?
Posted: May 20th, 2016, 5:40 pm
by shibui
Hi Noel,
All the tools are quite easy to find online. I would not bother with the large root cutter as a beginner. We usually use the Bonsai scissors - large to trim roots. Some lists will have them as root pruners (pictured on the left with large looped handles) You could also scratch the knob cutters for a start as well. I rarely use mine. Instead get a pair of long handled scissors for trimming small shoots (different sites will have different names for those as well).

those branch jacks are a waste of time. I've thrown mine away years ago.
Note that you will find some companies selling really cheap tools but you do get what you pay for so I'd avoid the really cheap ones.
Re: My bonsai tools shopping list - any advise ?
Posted: May 20th, 2016, 11:21 pm
by peterb
Hi Noel, as Shibui said you get what you pay for. The kaneshin tools might seem a bit pricey, but the quality is second to none and the service is fantastic
Peterb