AusBonsai

Hi everyone

with Leighs great offer going at the moment it looks like I will be investing in my first tools.
As money is a bit tight at the moment I will probaby only be allowed 2 or 3 tools at the most, what would be the most important things to get first and what sizes?

Concave cutter will be first on the list.

Thanks in advance for your help

Cheers Regan

I am in the same boat Regan except this is not my first tools

My current tool list is branch cutters 200mm (I have a very cheap set of branch cutters and a Kiku which is a little better but I did the same thing Jamie did and distorted them straight of the bat cutting a branch that was to big for them) knob cutters 200mm and knob cutter small. I recently bought my first set of bonsai wire cutters after using a miniature bolt cutter or side cutters for years and found that as I had been told they work some what better. Although I do need a better set as they where a very cheap set just to try them out. I have never used bonsai shears they seem rather strange to me I use the seceture scissors from a garden store.
Really all this needs replacing. But I can't afford everything. So here is my short list

As you say Branch cutters first and asI would rather black, the best set I see is the Masakuni #16 concave cutters 220mm.
I have always missed a large set of branch cutters so I am not tempted to try to cut a too large branch with my usual set. I can't afford that in Masakuni so I think I will go with the Nobuichi 270mm set.

Also nobuichi Knob cutter. I am hoping I can get away with just the one size at 180mm with that.

The wish list would be a set of good wire cutters then shears and maybe a bigger or smaller knob cutter.
I think anymore than that would be classed as luxury for me.

I would be interested in others responses as well.

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Thanks Shalom but I believe the exersize is to get top quality tools. Tat is a good reference for variety of tools though.

I'd say the concave cutters and Knob cutters would be the most important as they are the only truly specialised bonsai tools. Other garden-variety tools will do the other jobs, like Brett says, he’s been using secateurs and side cutters in place of shears and wire cutters.

I've got Satsuki shear, Regular shear(I find these a little awkward to use) & a spherical concave cutter 200mm (like a knob and a concave cutter in one). I think they are all Kikuwa.
The cutter works well on branches up to about 10mm then its a bit of a struggle. So I'm thinking of going for the 270mm cutter.

I'm now also thinking of getting a proper Knob cutter and wire cutter to replace my side cutters. But I'm not sure about these.

I like the long handled shears too.

Brett, My side cutters seem to get me by. How did you find using the bonsai wire cutter? worth the change?

Most tools that we use in Bonsai are designed for a specific purpose. When you have the opportunity to buy, one of the most important tools, that seems to be replaced by something else is the wire cutter.
When you have the opportunity try them on the same piece of wire and note the difference. You will see what I mean. Also they are designed to remove wire without damage to the wood.
The next thing is to ask your self what size tree's are mine most likely to be what size branch/concave cutter, then choose.
Then scissors long handle ones allow you to get inside to prune inner areas without the risk of damage to twigs. Scissors are always loose they are not designed to cut material as in dress making, the reason for the looseness is so you will not try to cut something to big for them.
The way to use them is always a problem. To use them place your fore finger on the shaft as you are cutting this stops the blades from seperating as you cut. If the material you are cutting is too big they will seperate again.

Always remember if you are using two hands the tool is the wrong one for the job as in too small.

So my pick if I were in the market for a starter kit would be a pair of 200mm combination side and knob cutter. A 200mm wire cutter and a pair of long handle scissors.
A pair of root cutters and a Saw. Most other tools you can pick up as you go along.
I have tools in my kit that at one stage I would never have thought to buy. Now that I have them I would not be without. Fathers/Mothers day. Birthdays and Christmas hints always worked for me, to build up my kit.

Cheers just what I think are helpful hints to help you with your purchases, to a better Bonsai journey. Pup

Brett, My side cutters seem to get me by. How did you find using the bonsai wire cutter? worth the change?

People always told me the specific bonsai wire cutters protect the tree. The bull nose of my mini bolt cutters was pretty good for that anyway. But the biggest difference I found was the way it separated the wire after cutting. The cutting blades have a very steep wedge compared to normal wire cutters. This ensures good separation. It makes a big difference.
Mine is a cheap pair and that may be the reason but I wish they had a spring as I find it awkward when doing repetitive cuts when there is alot of wire. A spring would be great.
Haven't looked to see if they make one though?

i dont know if they make one with springs brett but i have never had a prob with the wire cutters without springs, its all in the way you hold them.

i think your basic essentials are a concave branch cutter, the long scissors like pup said (they have made life so much easier), wire cutters are good when cutting wire from the tree as they wont damage the tree but will cut right through at the nose of the cutters.


i think with those three the rest you can get away with without buying expensive tools, like a root rake can be made from a fork, and a root pic is a simple as a chopstick.

jamie

Masakuni 0108
Spring loaded wire cutters.

Like I said might be that mine are a cheap set but then again it might be that I am using more wire than you
Doubt it is the way I hold them though

all good mate

and there ya go, quality cutters at cheaper price spring loaded to so even better!

Thanks for the advice everyone

I've made a list of what I think I might get Let me know what you think.

These are all nobuichi

60107 long handle shears 200mm

60135 concave branch cutters 200mm

60174 wire cutters 200mm

cheers Regan

if you can add a 200mm branch cutter

Can anybody tell me if there is a big difference between Japanese wire cutters and the much cheaper Chinese ones?
When I look at this offer I am excited by the idea of a new Japanese concave cutter, a new Japanese knob cutter new Japanese shears etc.
But my $30 chinese wire cutters work perfectly for the task.

regards Gerard

Gerard wrote:Can anybody tell me if there is a big difference between Japanese wire cutters and the much cheaper Chinese ones?
When I look at this offer I am excited by the idea of a new Japanese concave cutter, a new Japanese knob cutter new Japanese shears etc.
But my $30 chinese wire cutters work perfectly for the task.

regards Gerard

Gerard I have both, one pair bought for me, I use my Japanese one more. I have had my Japanese one for 25+ years without a problem
My Chinese one does not feel the same.
I must admit it cuts at this moment but it does struggle a bit with the fine, does not cut clean leaves a sharp feather end, and real heavy wire has to have two bites.

JMHO cheers Pup

The difference, as I understand it, is in the metal. Chinese steel (at least in the manufacture of these tools) is inferior to Japanese steel. It is softer and doesn't hold its sharpness as well. The tools themselves are almost identical. If the Chinese upped their quality control they would be a better product. It also me that the Chinese don't seem to sell by brand, all their products are generic, so it's impossible to tell one from the other

Regards
Jonesy