Concave cutter

Jose_Alberto

I have a doubt, I know I always come out with common doubts, but... well, my question (s) is(are):
-what are concave cutters used for, besides than bonsai? is just that I saw a kind of concave cutter in the hardware store, it was a St^nley cutter, but I couldn't read the rest, would that be useful in bonsai's?

also another thing, what's the difference between the hardware store and the bonsai store shears? (besides the quality) would the hardware store shears work? well thanks...

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Jose Alberto Franco
Guatemala
Central America
http://www.doschivos.com

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Brian

I can confirm that Bonsai cutters are very sharp ,,,they have no problem taking a cut of the users fingers also ,, i'm sure a more Experienced bonsai person than I will post that hardware store types arent as sharpe ??

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Brian
Zone 4
Michigan USA

Jose_Alberto

So, the bonsai shears are sharper... but if I have no money to buy bonsai tools for now, will the harware store shears work for now?

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Jose Alberto Franco
Guatemala
Central America
http://www.doschivos.com

Tony

Jose , you can make do with the shears from the hardware store for the time being. The concave cutters are made specifically for bonsai and there aren't really any hardware tools that duplicate the type of cut they make [not in one tool anyway]. *Smaler branches can be cut with diagonal cutters [from the hardware store] then take a sharp knife and carve out a slight concave depression. Larger branches can cut close with a pruning saw and then hollowed out with a knife.

Tony

TreeBay

This may be one point Tony and I would disagree about. You can take away my bonsai shears and my turntable, but you'll be prying that concave cutter out of my cold, dead hand!

It really is a unique bonsai tool, and about the only way to rapidly make sharp, flush cuts right at the trunk.

I have seen the Stanley Bonsai Shears (They are oversize, unfortunately, like they were designed to be used by people with gloves, or maybe gorillas) but I haven' t seen the concave cutters yet.

Regards

Matt

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Jose_Alberto

Alright I get it now, so if I'm going to save some money for some of my tools the first should be the concave cuter, right? well, I'll have to save a lot... thanks...

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Jose Alberto Franco
Guatemala
Central America
http://www.doschivos.com

And, make sure its atleast japanese mid-grade quality. Otherwise, its not really worth buying. Especially, if your funds are tight. You spend an extra 5 to 10 bucks and get something that will last you another 20 years. When I first started growing bonsai a few years ago, I always tried to cheapskate my way thru. But, in the end, you have to have a good decent pair of concave cutter at the very least.

You can get KIKU or Fujiyama high carbon concave cutters on ebay for a good price. There are always a couple up for auction, and rarely more than once person will bid on one. So, you wind up getting them for about 30.00 American. My local bonsai nursery seels the same ones for 49.00. But, be sure, if the auction says "Imported Steel," "Chinese Import," and/or doesn't state the name of the tool brand in the auction, its probably a piece of garbage.

Tony

Jose, Yes the concave cutter should be the first real bonsai tool you get, the other tools can be substituted easier.

Matt, I don't think we really disagree on this issue. I stated that "The concave cutters are made specifically for bonsai and there aren't really any hardware tools that duplicate the type of cut they make [not in one tool anyway]."

My point is that if Jose can not afford concave cutters at this time he should not give up on bonsai. He can still learn the techniques and make do with what he has. Will the cuts be as clean and heal as well as they would if made with the proper tool, no I'm sure they won't but sometimes you have to improvise.

I can't comment on the on the Stanley bonsai shears, Ive never seen them. I'm surprised that Stanley makes anything with the word bonsai on the label. *What happened, did the mallsai buyers have a protest march?

Tony

Jose_Alberto

Whimsical Enchantment, you have said something... I'm always trying to save some bucks, but, I think that I will do it with everything but the concave cutter... I will have to get a fine one... Well, Tony, I don't have to rush for now, because I have only 2 trees, and both of them are developing their branch structure, so they don't need me to be pruning them right now... they are actually bald now HEHEHE and the seedlings... mmm they will last another time to need me... so I will take my time, meanwhile I love to see how the little guys develop... and I have not too much to worry, but not overwatering... Some years ago I used to have some nice trees, grown by myself, but I had to travell, and left them with my neighboor (big mistake) and she killed them my problem now is that on December my family is planning another trip, and I don't know, I will maybe trust my grandpa now...

__________________
Jose Alberto Franco
Guatemala
Central America
http://www.doschivos.com