Affordable Bonsai Tools?

weirdowl

Hello,
I'm looking for some good affordable bonsai tools. The Joshua Roth level of tools just won't fit in the budget for now. I've seen cheaper tools, but have been hesitant to buy without knowing anything about them. I made the mistake of buying "bonsai scissors and nippers" on ebay that ended up being almost non-functional, very dull blades, stiff, and even warped. Is there a good place online to buy affordable tools that work well? Is there a certain name brand you like that isn't too expensive?

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weirdowl

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salix

Look, if you're just starting out, you don't need a lot of stuff. It's nice to have a decent pair of shears, but you can get away with a sturdy pair of kitchen shears for a short while. You really need to have a concave cutter to remove some branches as necessary, so find a good pair, save up the money, bite the bullet, and get some. You don't need a Professional grade stainless steel lifetime warranty set of cutters, but they should be of decent quality. Expect to shell out about 25-40 USD. Joshua Roth is not the be-all end-all, btw. I've been completely blown away by the stuff I've gotten from bonsaimonks.com:

http://www.trappist.net/estore/merc...?Store_Code=BM.

Once you can scrape together some shears, a concave cutter, and a chopstick, you're pretty much ready to rock n' roll. Don't bother going out and buying a tool kit just right off. You almost always get two things you need (shears and a concave cutter) and a bunch of stuff that's nice to have around but that you can live without. Improvise, man! The first guy to make a miniature potted tree did not get his tools from JR.

Finally, allow me to point out that X-mas is coming up, and you may want to ask yourself whether it might be within the realm of possibility to wangle some Bonsai tool giftage. The squeaky wheel gets the grease...ask and ye shall receive...the crying mouth gets fed...

weirdowl

Salix,
Thanks for the reply. I recently visited Bonsai by the Monastery and checked out their tools while I was there. That's probably where I'll end up going, but I wanted to see if there was any other places I should look first. See if there was a specific brand of tools that people swore by before I bought from the first place I had looked.

Here's a link to a post with some pictures I took of a few of the trees at the Monastery.

http://forum.bonsaitalk.com/showthr...monastery+trees

Thanks again,

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weirdowl

chibi-neko

I bought a decent pair of concave cutters off of ebay for $30. The seller I bought from sells bonsai tools on ebay continuously.

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Jay

Hi, just a thought. This forum is sponsored by Matt. Matt also has an online store. He carries a good selection of tools. I believe they are Joshua Roth brand. As to price, I "think" JR is pretty much one price all over. Far be it from me to tell you how or where to spend your money! But if the price is the same or even near the same, think about throwing a few bucks to our sponsor.

I live in a small town, I shop in the village, the prices are higher. But.... I do not have to drive to the mall....I can get it now, not in a half hour drive.. and by shopping local they are there when I need them. Matt is here for us, if its pretty much the same, I would shop here!

Those tools online.... What Brand? Does the seller stand behind them? Do they have a 3 year guarantee like JR tools.....Remember that old saying its usually true..."You get what you pay for"..........

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A Bonsai student living with his trees at N 44.37 W 77.49...
Think before you act... then think again... no good comes from rushing

salix

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.

stephentoddpope

well, i know next to nothing about tools, but all mine are kiku made in japan, that a friend gave me, and they work really nicely, and they don't have to be sharpened too often

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Jay

Salix, good point(s). I was not aware of the quality or high esteem you, and possible others hold the tools from the monks. I own JR tools and am very happy with them. I will try a tool from the monks at my next 'need' and see if I too see a difference. My main thrust was at the seller of tools online of unknown manufacturer... those I think we both agree are no bargain!

As for only selling one brand... I do not see that as a problem for an online store. You can shop the other brands at other (online) stores. Your point on quality, is a VERY valid one and I would spend more for a better tool.

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A Bonsai student living with his trees at N 44.37 W 77.49...
Think before you act... then think again... no good comes from rushing

salix

Yup, I totally agree about the no-name tools. I like to know what I'm getting, and standards of quality can be so inconsistent that I have to have a name on something before I buy it, especially for long-term use.

I see your point about the just-one-brand issue, and I would certainly not boycott someplace online because they only offer one brand, but I do like sellers to have a generous enough estimation of my taste and discernment that they'll give me multiple choice. It gives me the illusion of control, I guess.

I think the best hint for beginners would be to go to real live shops, examine different brands & manufacturers, pick things up & check things out and decide for yourself what looks & feels best. Then go shopping online and see if you can beat the bricks & mortar prices (online purchases are not always cheaper). The moral of this whole story should be that shopping around pays off, both in terms of price and quality.