Tool question - concave cutter

Bagobonz

Hi,

I am trying to decide on which tool to by first and what level of quality I should buy. I am intending to get a stainless steel concave cutter. I have narrowed it down to Fujiama tool sold by Dallas Bonsai or a Joshua Roth tool sold at Wee Tree Farms. The Joshua Roth version is $81 at Wee Tree Farms which appears to be cheaper than any other place for the same tool. The tool at Dallas Bonsai is $62. I am more than willing to spend the extra but am unsure if I will be getting a better tool. Any thought on the matter would be helpful. Also if there is a suggestion on a different brand of level of quality I would want that feedback.

Thank You all in advance

Advertisement

Vonsgardens

Why stainless? I use stainless now, I believe I like the higher end black tools better for holding edge, etc. Other than that the tools are all pretty much the same, just hit a valuepoint. John

__________________
"Wiring is simple; However, it is not easy to do it right" Boon

Glider

I prefer good quality black tools too. Like John says, they tend to hold an edge better as they're laminated: very hard steel (for the cutting edge) forge welded to softer steel for the more flexible backing which provides durability.

Kept lightly oiled, they don't rust and if the blueing wears off (as it will over time and with use), I use some cold blueing gel from a local gun shop to bring them back to a rust inhibiting deep blue-black.

I have straight edge tools that I've been using for over 15 years, although I have to replace curved edge tools like knob cutters sometimes because I can't sharpen them properly.

__________________
Experience is knowledge gained immediately after it was needed.

Brent

I use carbon steel tools too. If you can't care enough to properly maintain tools, how on earth will you ever learn to ramify a tree? For the straight poop on stainless from an unbiased metalurgist, see this article at our website:

http://www.evergreengardenworks.com/stainles.htm

Brent
EvergreenGardenworks.com
see our blog at http://BonsaiNurseryman.typepad.com

susieq

I have never had the urge to buy stainless. My black concave cutters are about 30 years old. Wipe them off and oil them and they are good to go. Heck, they haven't ever needed sharpened yet either. I do not "rock" the tool back and forth when cutting, nor do I abuse the tool in other ways. They perform well for me.

Bagobonz

The only reason I was interested in stainless steel is for the rust protection. It appears that at the same price point I can get better quality with the black carbon steel tool. I agree though that if I can not care for a tool, how can I care properly for the tree. Not too difficult to wipe down and oil.

One additional question.

Do you wipe the oil clean before using it on the tree and are there certain oils to use or avoid?

Thanks for the input

Victrinia_Ensor

If for whatever reason you do get some light rust on the black steel tools, extra fine steel wool cleans them right up lickity split.

Concave cutters make for great wire cutters. Thats about all I use them for.

But that's a whole different conversation.



Kindest regards,

Victrinia

__________________
Ms. Vic

Le belle cose prendono tempo...

www.elandangardens.com

Vonsgardens

Use camellia oil or a light oil, nonpetroleum, no need to wipe off.

Miss Vic, to cut wires? Don't tell me you use a saw on all things bigger that a pencil....

John

__________________
"Wiring is simple; However, it is not easy to do it right" Boon

Victrinia_Ensor

My favorite maxims in regards to the non-use of concave cutters for their traditional use...

1. One should not squander an opportunity to create deadwood (in all it's forms).

2. Since one should not cut off, out of hand, opportunities for deadwood which are bigger than an 1/8th of an inch... pruning shears will suffice for the job.


My comment about using it for wire is tongue in cheek... though I have...lol But in fact... I would probably be hard pressed to tell you where they even are. They arn't in my tool set.

Now if the gentleman wants to invest in a tool... I'd get a couple pairs of REALLY good shears. Skip the concave cutters all together.

Kindest regards,

Victrinia

__________________
Ms. Vic

Le belle cose prendono tempo...

www.elandangardens.com