Any leads on good tools?

[Yugen]

Anyone have good leads on quality bonsai tools? I'm currently using a set of carbon steel Japanese made from the Lee Valley store. I'm not sure what the Japanese brand is. For comparison, I think the shears cost me about $65 CAD. I want to upgrade to stainless steel. I don't need the best quality but I don't want to waste my time on crap product. Joshua Roth tools have been recommended, but they are hard to track down and I don't know if this brand name is worth the cost, or if they come in stainless

I'm specifically looking for pruning shears and a root cutter.

Additionally, does anyone have a review for the shears in the image I'm posting?

Thanks everyone!

 

[Yugen]

It would be helpful too if you could list some brands to avoid

 

[BonsaiDTLA]

IMO the brand Yoshiaki performs well for the price Not sure if stainless steel instead of carbon steel is necessarily an upgrade though.. It'll also be harder to sharpen, though I've never tried to sharpen the only SS cutters I own.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Kaneshin is good.
Kiku is very good.
Masakuni is the best.
I have had bad experiences with Fujiyama and Yoshiaki.

 

[eryk2kartman]

There is so many treads about Tools, just use search option and you will find the answers you are looking for.

 

[Clicio]

I have been using Kaneshin for years with no issues whatsoever.
If I had the money, I would go for Masakuni.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Masakuni stainless steel scissors cost $299 US.

...or you could buy five pair of these:

American Bonsai Pro Scissors

Maybe I am unique in this respect, but I am too hard on my tools to spend $300 on each. I have never handled the Masakuni scissors, so I cannot review them. However the American Bonsai scissors are great, I own two pair, and they work for me. I struggle with anyone charging $300 for a hand tool. Would you pay $300 for a pair of needle-nosed pliers?

You want sharp scissors?

 

[Dav4]

... and I prefer carbon to stainless for my cutting tools for the superior edge.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

... and I prefer carbon to stainless for my cutting tools for the superior edge.

You can get tungsten carbide operating room scissors for half the price of the Masakuni scissors. Just saying. When you are done, just toss 'em into the autoclave

 

[Gabler]

... and I prefer carbon to stainless for my cutting tools for the superior edge.

I somehow managed to drop my phone and accidentally post a quote, and it's not possible to go back and delete it.

 

[Pitoon]

Masakuni stainless steel scissors cost $299 US.

...or you could buy five pair of these:

American Bonsai Pro Scissors

Maybe I am unique in this respect, but I am too hard on my tools to spend $300 on each. I have not ever handled the Masakuni scissors, so I cannot review them. However the American Bonsai scissors are great, I own two pair, and they work for me. I struggle with anyone charging $300 for a hand tool. Would you pay $300 for a pair of needle-nosed pliers?

You want sharp scissors?

Those scissors look good!

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

I have Kaneshin and Kiku tools, diagonal cutters, spherical knob cutters, shears, and others, all are over 20 years old, some are 30 and 40 years old. Still good, still sharp. My stainless steel Kaneshin diagonal cutters are at least 35 years old, and I have never had to sharpen them. I'm very happy with them. I don't use them every day, their quality exceeds my "hobbyist" need.

 

[BonsaiDTLA]

I have had bad experiences with Fujiyama and Yoshiaki.

Hi Brian, could you share with me your experience with Yoshiaki?

I only own 2-3 tools from them and don't use them often, but I'd love to learn from your experience if you're willing to share them! Thanks

 

[leatherback]

but I am too hard on my tools to spend $300 on each.

Same here. Then again, I thought I would buy a few 10-bucks-a-piece tools to have in the back of my car for work when I find myself visiting my growing field after work and want to make an occasional adjustment. They lasted 5 minutes till garbage time. Not even good enough to create deadwood and clean out rootballs..

So there is a middle ground where they are good enough to be abused and not so good you have to treat them with care

 

[Potawatomi13]

Suggest to use search as suggested instead on rehash of old debate.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Hi Brian, could you share with me your experience with Yoshiaki?

I only own 2-3 tools from them and don't use them often, but I'd love to learn from your experience if you're willing to share them! Thanks

poorly made...

 

[leatherback]

poorly made...

that looks about as my tools I mentioned above did after a few minutes. Soft castiron.

 

[River's Edge]

Anyone have good leads on quality bonsai tools? I'm currently using a set of carbon steel Japanese made from the Lee Valley store. I'm not sure what the Japanese brand is. For comparison, I think the shears cost me about $65 CAD. I want to upgrade to stainless steel. I don't need the best quality but I don't want to waste my time on crap product. Joshua Roth tools have been recommended, but they are hard to track down and I don't know if this brand name is worth the cost, or if they come in stainless

I'm specifically looking for pruning shears and a root cutter.

Additionally, does anyone have a review for the shears in the image I'm posting?

Thanks everyone!

Kaneshin, order from Kaneshein direct online. Arrive within a week,
I disagree on the stainless, prefer carbon steel for the edge and ease of sharpening. Simple to protect in our wet climate with a light coat of food grade mineral oil after sharpening!

 

[Jeramiah]

I carry Kaneshin tools at Sumo Bonsai Supply. https://sumobonsaisupply.com
I also have Joshua Roth. I like both.

 

[Paradox]

Anyone have good leads on quality bonsai tools?

Kiku that Brian mentions is available from Superfly Bonsai.
Their prices are pretty reasonable