Need help deciding on new tool

trex7

Newbie here,

After alot of online searching I have narrowed it down to two.

I want to buy my first "quality" tool. And I've decided that it will be an Azalea Shear.

I'm looking at:

The Joshua Roth JR-0164 Pro Azalea Shear (treebay.com of course)
or
The Stainless Steel Twig Scissor-Azalea type Shear, from Dallas Bonsai.

Both are approximately $38 dollars online with shipping.

Which would you prefer or recomend? Or maybe something else?

This is not for any particular tree, I just want to start building a quality collection.

ANY feedback would be much appreciated, Thank You.

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Adam_MA

Do you already have a concave cutter? Some will argue that the concave cutter is the only tool that you can't find a suitable replacement for. And trust me you will use it often.

Adam

rockm

An "azalea shear" is only a glorified pair of scissors and largely an unecessary expense as a first tool. A good quality concave cutter (or two) would probably be a better choice. This tool is the foundation choice. Just about every other tool in a "quality" tool collection has a mush less expensive, but just as funtional, correllary 'everyday" tool. Shears are scissors...a stainless steel twig scissor is, in the end, only a pair of scissors too...

trex7

I have a basic concave cutter, I probably should get and extra, better one, but lets just say I already have one.

So which Shear should I get?

TreeBay

Is this your first shear? Get an Ashinaga style tool. And stay away from stainless if you are starting out, because you will be cutting anything and everything with it. If not by "shear desperation" then by accident.

Regards,

Matt

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trex7

you will be cutting anything and everything with it.

Good point!

thanx

vance hanna

For the first few years a good Concave cutter made by a reputable firm such as Masakuni, Futaba, Kiku,etc. Will be your only real need. Treated carefully and regularly sharpened by someone who KNOWS how to do this (I will post a visual on this shortly as I can't find my .jpg files now) is your ticket.

The only other immediate need: a #1 trim shear (this is one that looks like a scissor.)

Again kept clean and well oiled with a lightweight (WD40 is fine) it will be your basic trimer.

Certainly as time goes by and you become more entrenched in bonsai and develop needs for other tools, you'll grow a collection of fine instruments. Remember one thing: of all the 'investment in the art of bonsai', fine tools will be your 'least money spent' but for best result. You'll spend more on a pot, a special nursery specimen etc.'

But keeping the tools well maintained (I've been at this over 35yrs..)is the key.

best,vance hanna

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vance hanna
fine bonsai take time