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| Affordable tools http://weetrees.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=1469 |
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| Author: | Jamie Mullen [ 22 Aug 2010, 01:02 ] |
| Post subject: | Affordable tools |
I appreciate you get what you pay for but can anyone suggest somewhere to buy affordable bonsai tools that will be decent quality and a brand name to look out for. I don't want to fall victim of 'buy cheap, buy twice' but equally I can't afford too much right now and want to get cracking. I need branch cutters, pruning scissors, root scissors, wire cutters and jin pliers. |
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| Author: | ken-uk [ 22 Aug 2010, 08:12 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Affordable tools |
Hi Jamie Mullen In my opinion you do not have to buy dear tools,i am just going to start using my third pair of branch cutters in about 12-14yrs, the last pair cost £28. Jin pliers i have never had i use an normal pair of pliers, scissors i bought from Greenwoods about £5-7 ken |
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| Author: | Mike Jones [ 22 Aug 2010, 09:21 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Affordable tools |
Jamie, this is such a contentious subject. There are those that use nothing but stainless steel Bonsai tools and there are also those that do not use any bonsai tools whatsoever. I suppose when you break it down some it is what you end up actually doing with said tools that makes all the difference. I do use stainless Bonsai tools because it is what I have been used to and I maintain them diligently...they will outlast me for certain. A couple of suggestions though if I may/ I frequently have a pair of high quality Felco secateurs in my pocket and these will often be all I use when pottering around. They are incredibly sharp, I hone them from new to make them even sharper and they will be very useful. A pair can be obtained on eBay for around £28-£33. For jinning a pair of pliers with long reach handles will do just as good a job all-be-it a tad slower because of the recessed area. Jin pliers have none. Knob cutters is about the only tool I can think of that I have not been able to find a commercial equivalent, also cutters for azaleas have a different angle than conventional. For wire cutting I purchased a really good quality s/s toenail cutters with sprung handles and long reach. All I do is ground down the pointed end so as not to clip the bark when removing wire. They work very well and a good set can be obtained for around £25. They will last a lifetime. Scissors? OK then, there are many available from just a couple of pounds upwards; I do have several pairs I must admit. Long reach being the most useful to me. Check out a scissor search on the net and you will be surprised what comes up. For long reaching/grabbing I use s/s reptile prongs, quite cheap but fantastic for reaching right in to the tree. All in all, you must think what you want from your tools. Buying a couple of cheaper sets will be false economy if s/s is you ultimate aim. As I started of with; a contentious subject. Mike |
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| Author: | MKonig [ 22 Aug 2010, 10:30 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Affordable tools |
I go along with Mike's advise. I have a set of high quality stainless steel tools comprising of Pruning Shears, Concave Cutter, Knob Cutter, Wire Cutter and long reach Scissors. I bought these individually and while they were expensive, they will last a lifetime. I clean and hone these after every use and store in a tool roll to protect them. In daily use, I have a pair of very sharp scissors and a pair spring loaded fiskars floristry shears (i call them snippers), these do most of the day to day trimming. On top of that i have bought some large carbon steel tools to work on the larger trees. I did make the mistake many years ago of buying a cheap set of Chinese tools and regretted this as soon as I had to do do some serious work on my trees. The only survivor is the wire cutters. Hope that helps |
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| Author: | corin [ 22 Aug 2010, 10:43 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Affordable tools |
I would buy japanese tools if you are going to get into bonsai as a hobby. start off with scissor and then branch cutter, ad to your tool colelction as and when funds allow or drop hints for birthday / xmas |
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| Author: | Neil R [ 22 Aug 2010, 10:45 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Affordable tools |
Again, I agree with both Mikes What I would say though is that there is a 3rd option - Japanese Tools. Like Chinese Tools they are black however, unlike the chinese tools, they are of far superior quality. The benefit is they are cheaper than stainless steel but provide a quality of tool that is suitable for the vast majority of bonsai dudes. There's a thing, I've never thought of what we call ourselves - bonsai artists, bonsai growers, bonsai dudes??? |
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| Author: | Neil R [ 22 Aug 2010, 10:46 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Affordable tools |
corin wrote: I would buy japanese tools if you are going to get into bonsai as a hobby. start off with scissor and then branch cutter, ad to your tool colelction as and when funds allow or drop hints for birthday / xmas Snap - Corin got to it before me!! |
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| Author: | Davidntfc [ 22 Aug 2010, 12:37 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Affordable tools |
Affordable is contentious without a doubt but I've been more than pleased with some of these Chinese stainless tools from Cherry Blossom Bonsai which is close to me. Steve showed me his Japanese stainless tools as a comparrison and he's confident there's little difference other than price. I appreciate others may say different but I'm happy with the tools I've got and they feel much nicer than the 'black' tools to me to use! Link http://www.bonsai-uk.co.uk/professional-grade-tools-stainless-steel-bonsai-tools-c-22_53.html David |
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| Author: | corin [ 22 Aug 2010, 18:15 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Affordable tools |
even the stainless chinese tools arent as good as black steel Japanese ones, and they have not been around long enough to prove themselves im not sure they have a place in the larket, becuase genreally people that want stainless tools want the best and are prepared to pay for it and be assured of the quality while doing so |
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| Author: | RoyH [ 22 Aug 2010, 20:37 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Affordable tools |
Hi Jamie, i bought these pincers on the left side of the picture for 99p from an "instore" shop & they have made good branch splitters. i just did a slight thinning off of the width with my angle grinder. |
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