Tools.... Are They That Special?

mr_burninator

As a pre-beginner, I'm doing everything that I can to be absolutely prepared before I start experimenting with a bonsai tree. I tend to believe the quote that "chance favors the prepared mind." However one of the more discouraging aspects of this hobby is that it can be a little expensive.

Now don't get me wrong, I have no problems paying a fair price for a tree that I will have a loving relationship with (provided I do my part of course and it lives), but the real issue is how expensive those darn tools can be. While I can justify spending money on a tree, it's just hard to do for some jagged metal.

I know, I know... those pieces of jagged metal are what allows me to do my part to keep the tree alive and our relationship healty. What I'm asking is: can some of those expensive "bonsai" tools be substituted with other less expensive tools. I've heard mention of combing roots with chopsticks instead of the expensive root hooks that they sell... this is what i'm looking for.

So if you have some advice or just want to tell me to suck it up because they're necessary, please do. Thanks.

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wmcorcor

Buy what you can afford now...later when (and I do mean when) you love it and want to stick with it--then buy the real tools. I have a little of both and I enjoy the expensive ones for their feel and accuracy and I enjoy the cheap ones for their simplicity and tha fact that I don't cry if I damage or lose one. By the way I still don't own a root hook.

Bonsainut

Ive seen people do bonsai with toenail clippers, hair cutting scissors, fingernails, ... but come on a a pair of bonsai shears is not going to break the bank. Then next month a concave cutter and the next a wire cutter. With these three you can do 99% of the bonsai operations.

Shears below 12.95 us from Dallas Bonsai

Attached Images

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mkonig

Hi There

Speaking from experience here, bonsai can be done with normal secatuers and scissors and chopsticks work OK to remove soil from the roots during repotting, BUT.......

Bonsai tools have been developed for specific tasks. For Example, there is nothing (apart from a carving gouge) that will substitute for a concave cutter.

Bonsai tools are expensive, but if you buy quality tools and with proper care they will last you a lifetime. I bought mine one at a time as required. (It is easier to justify to the wife )

BTW, roothooks can be made quite easily from an old screwdriver (with the aid of a bench grinder a hammer and a vise)

Mike

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Adam_MA

I would have to agree. Some things can be substituted but I find that having the proper tool for the job not only makes for a better outcome, but at least for me I feel a little special and more professional using them (even though I am a novice)

I am also buying my tools one at a time, and only when I find a good deal. Like for instance, I got my wire cutters at a show as an overstock item from a very reputable bonsai dealer for $15 and my root hook (the black metal kind with red rubber coated handle) for $6 somewhere else.

Often bonsai shops will have spring sales where you can get good deals as well. Just buy what you need and not because it says bonsai tool on the package.

Adam

Ralph

If you are a young person of no special means, and you decide you are interested in taking up golf. You don't go out and buy several thousands of dollars in the latest hi-tech clubs, shoes, fashionable wardrobe items, etc.
Instead, you probably pick up a 2nd hand set of simple clubs, maybe a wood, a few irons, and a putter. You play on municipal courses, and you wear your tennis shoes and your bermudas.
As time goes on, and your play improves, and so does your desire to play the game, you upgrade your clubs, wardrobe, etc.
I think many past times are like this. Just start "bonsaiing", let your passion guide you.

Little Arborist

Just started bonsai myself, but have worked with trees for years.

I can't afford large investments either, but from what I'm learning, ya' gotta' have some concave cutters so the pruning wounds heal flatter.

Other than that, improvise until you can afford say...wire cutters, knob cutters or whatever is most pressing for you.

My humble opinion.

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mr_burninator

Well, of course you guys are all very right! I'm sure that once i get going i'll only be a matter of time until only the good stuff will do for my little lovelies. Thanks.

... great golf analogy by the way!

__________________
<------------ Thomas Newton



Do not be afraid to go out on a limb ... That's where the fruit is.
- Anonymous

Emperor Fish

I'm pretty much in agreement with everything that's already been said here. After a few years, I now have a pretty full bonsai toolkit, but I started out with ordinary garden secateurs, ordinary western wirecutters and an ordinary western trowel.

The easiest way to approach things for me was to ensure that I only bought a tool when I actually needed it and could not improvise one that was just as good at doing the job. For example, I have only recently bought bonsai wire cutters, a large pair which can get through thick wire easily because they simply have longer handles and greater leverage than wester types. A small pair beacuse due to the scissor type handles, you can leave them in your hand while you wire, making life that bit easier.

My Japanese teacher does not use a root-hook, just a sharpened steel rod, which you can easily replicate by filing down a long screwdriver, a pot knife can easily be replaced with a flexible kitchen knife, an expensive turntable can be replaced with a rotating stand for computer monitors.

One thing that I couldn't live without though:
Spring-loaded concave cutters - you'll find yourself using them to cut everything!

Regards,

Fish.

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