bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - Affordable Bonsai Tools?

Look, I appreciate Matt's contributions around here as much as the next guy, but I have a pair of JR shears, and a pair of shears from the monks, and the difference in quality and craftsmanship is rather dramatic. I use the JRs as my junker pair, and the monks pair gets treated like the treasure it is. That's why I recommended the monk site over Treebay. When Matt starts selling tools from other manufacturers, I will begin recommending him when someone asks, but I've just never been favorably impressed with any Joshua Roth tool I've ever picked up, and that's nothing but the honest truth.

I also, as a consumer, have a problem when I go into a shop (whether B&M or online) and see that they only carry one brand of anything. If I'm spending my money on something, I want to pick it out, which means comparing it with competing brands. The product should speak for itself, especially if one of its selling points is unassailable quality. It has to feel better, look better, and perform better than similar items from somewhere else, especially if that other product is cheaper.

Anyway, enough with my humble opinions. I would like to hear from others about different tool manufacturers.

1-Nov-2002	#6
salix bonsaiTALK Expert Join Date: Sep-2002 Location: Pacific NW Country: USA USDA Zone: 8 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 165	my humble opinion Look, I appreciate Matt's contributions around here as much as the next guy, but I have a pair of JR shears, and a pair of shears from the monks, and the difference in quality and craftsmanship is rather dramatic. I use the JRs as my junker pair, and the monks pair gets treated like the treasure it is. That's why I recommended the monk site over Treebay. When Matt starts selling tools from other manufacturers, I will begin recommending him when someone asks, but I've just never been favorably impressed with any Joshua Roth tool I've ever picked up, and that's nothing but the honest truth. I also, as a consumer, have a problem when I go into a shop (whether B&M or online) and see that they only carry one brand of anything. If I'm spending my money on something, I want to pick it out, which means comparing it with competing brands. The product should speak for itself, especially if one of its selling points is unassailable quality. It has to feel better, look better, and perform better than similar items from somewhere else, especially if that other product is cheaper. Anyway, enough with my humble opinions. I would like to hear from others about different tool manufacturers.