Question on quality knob cutters

[The Warm Canuck]

I'm looking at buying a set of knob cutters, primarily for reducing the bottom of trees, tap roots.

Are the jaws of good quality knob cutters offset, like concave cutters? that is one blade slightly overlaps the other? or do both jaws blades meet when closed?

 

[ShimpakuBonsai]

A(ll) knob cutter(s) will leave a concave hollow and the jaws will overlap a little bit.

 

[leatherback]

Look into root pruners too instead of knob cutters. And yes.

the jaws will overlap a little bit.

 

[HardBall]

Yeah, sounds like you want root cutters, not knob cutters.

 

[The Warm Canuck]

Look into root pruners too instead of knob cutters. And yes.

I've done some research and a lot of people say they use knob cutters on their roots.

 

[Maiden69]

Instead of either of those I would use rounded edge concave cutters. Knob cutters edge is not as thick as concave cutters and will last longer. I have root cutters as well, and I do use them on thick roots instead of the concave, but when I need a little more reach where the flat edge of the root cutter won't get in I do use the concave cutters.

The reason a lot of people use the knob cutter is to nib away slivers of wood to make the bottom flatter, but not to cut the roots with.

On my cork oak I used my medium rounded edge concave cutters.



On my shohin ficus I used the knob cutters, ficus wood is soft, I wouldn't use the knob cutters on hardwood trees.

 

[flor1]

Look at blacksmith tools you’ll find tools that will work great at half the cost.
Look for long handles that will give extra leverage.