Why are Masakuni tools so expensive?

[markyscott]

It was only a joke really. My father has been an electrician and a carpenter for over 30 years so I would assume he knows what he likes at point. Also Stanley is not on your original list of brands. There pretty much the same price too. I'll pass along your advice though I'm sure it will tickle him.

My response was a joke too. I just cut and pasted comments people had made in this thread and directed them at your dads choice of craftsman tools. Fwiw - I use craftsman too.

Scott

 

[M. Frary]

a good wire cutter

I use a pair made by Channel lock for that. They work great too.

 

[GrimLore]

Can't I just buy the cheapest tools I can get my hands on and use them till they go bad or need resharpening?

The answer is honestly yes as long as they work. I have an extensive amount of expensive tools that I rarely use. The reason? I only use them when doing a local demo or receiving instruction and they were all gifted so I will not sell, etc... For a lot of people a far less expensive route costs 50USD or less. The reason it works for them and I have a set in the outside shed is most people don't use tools as much as the pro hobbyist. This set will last an average person 5 - 7 years easily if taken care of properly AND honestly do a good job. You will have to oil the joints and work them a bit as they have a lot of packing grease making them stiff. Takes about 15 minutes to do all of them. I found a burr on one of the pieces that came off with a stone in 3 strokes... but honest they can hang out with the lawn gear, be handy and useful without breaking the bank. By the way some off the older members here use them the same way I do...

http://www.amazon.com/IMAGE®-Carbon...id=1435295457&sr=8-1&keywords=bonsai+tool+kit

This set has more tools and no wire - to me it represents a better deal -

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-list...ds=Carbon+Steel+Bonsai+Tool+Set&condition=new

Grimmy

 

[Djtommy]

I use a pair made by Channel lock for that. They work great too.

i also use a pair from knipex, they are good tools but for removing the wire, they are no match to the masakuni one,
with the ones from knipex you easily damage the branch and more difficult to reach the spot.

 

[Smoke]

Finally, this is the thread I been looking for that prompted the post about sub forums. It is in "new to bonsai" and I had no idea to look there. I did go straight to the tool forum when I got home but could not find it. You do feel bad for me right?

I have a simple story about tools. I have good Japanese tools from some time ago. Mostly Kiku, some Futaba and a couple Ryun and a Yoshiaki or two. Nothing much over 40.00 or 50.00 dollars a piece. The Kiku tools are over 30 years old and I have never sharpened them. They cut as well as the day I bought them. That is because I use a saw when appropriate.

A buddy of mine at a convention spent about 500.00 on a small set of Masakuni tools. I think around four tools and one was a coconut brush! I told him, "I expect to see some master piece trees next month". He told me he did not buy them because it will make his trees better, he bought them because he can lay them out when he goes to a workshop and it will buy him some respect. I told him that any teacher will have more respect for the guy that can "see" a tree and knows how to wire properly, no matter what tools are on the table. He scoffed. He still has the tools and still makes shitty trees.

You don't need a two hundred dollar tool to do this;

One does need high dollar tools to do this;

 

[EverydayDiesel]

Finally, this is the thread I been looking for that prompted the post about sub forums. It is in "new to bonsai" and I had no idea to look there.

Thats because of me I suppose. I am new to bonsai and looking for tools so it seemed like a natural fit.
If the mods want to move the thread it wont hurt my feelings one bit.

Thanks for the input!

 

[Adair M]

Smoke,

Your woodworking skills are better than your bonsai!

 

[Smoke]

Smoke,

Your woodworking skills are better than your bonsai!

Mostly thats because I don't buy them...

 

[Smoke]

Thats because of me I suppose. I am new to bonsai and looking for tools so it seemed like a natural fit.
If the mods want to move the thread it wont hurt my feelings one bit.

Thanks for the input!

Thats not your fault. There shouldn't even be a sub forum for "new to bonsai". If everyone posted all their great work in the appropriate places a "new person" could come here, click on the tool forum and read all the Masakuni threads that had ever been written here.

Wouldn't that be a great idea!

 

[EverydayDiesel]

Smoke,

Your woodworking skills are better than your bonsai!

That is because he has better wood working tools. (sorry I couldnt resist)

 

[Smoke]

That is because he has better wood working tools. (sorry I couldnt resist)

I need you to PM me your address. My Uncle lives in Hurst Texas. He is ex member of the El Paso mafia and I think I should like him to pay you a visit

 

[eferguson1974]

I wonder if Mechanics talk about their tools the way we do? Who makes the best Mechanics Tools: Snap-On, Matco, Mac, Craftsman, KD or Harbor Freight (had to throw that one in there for a laugh)?

All the time! Machinists and musicians too...
.

 

[M. Frary]

All the time! Machinists and musicians too...
.

Let's not forget porn stars.

 

[Vin]

Let's not forget porn stars.

Auto-Correct; you meant Pawn Stars I'll bet.

 

[M. Frary]

Auto-Correct; you meant Pawn Stars I'll bet.

Yep. Yep.
Must have been the autocorrect thing.
That's what it was.

 

[Potawatomi13]

Those who fork over the hundreds of dollars extra it costs to get some might say yes... The rest of us scoff and say "I will stick with my cheap Ebay tools hat rust and need to be replaced every five years, bend when I use them and go dull after a couple cuts"... JK

Seriously- Kaneshin tools are super high quality IMO and don't cost half what your average Masakuni does... You can order straight from the factory or get them from a guy named QBonsai I think here..

Many thanks Eric. I had never heard of these.

 

[Potawatomi13]

Just like anything, super high quality should cost more. Not all Masakuni are that expensive compared with others. However they offer different levels or different quality tools including super custom stuff at Masakuni. Some want to buy a custom high end sports car, others want a lexus and some are happy with their 98 accord. I've been really happy with the quality of Kaneshin as well. You can buy Kaneshin on Ebay for a good price. I've got about 50/50 Masakuni/Kaneshin tools now.

I must disagree. Just because "super" high quality costs more does not mean it HAS to. Kaneshin is example. The manufacturer does this because he can get away with it and there are always those for whom snob appeal is a big deal and for whom money is nothing. After all are not these the tools that Masters use?

 

[Potawatomi13]

Finally, this is the thread I been looking for that prompted the post about sub forums. It is in "new to bonsai" and I had no idea to look there. I did go straight to the tool forum when I got home but could not find it. You do feel bad for me right?

I have a simple story about tools. I have good Japanese tools from some time ago. Mostly Kiku, some Futaba and a couple Ryun and a Yoshiaki or two. Nothing much over 40.00 or 50.00 dollars a piece. The Kiku tools are over 30 years old and I have never sharpened them. They cut as well as the day I bought them. That is because I use a saw when appropriate.

A buddy of mine at a convention spent about 500.00 on a small set of Masakuni tools. I think around four tools and one was a coconut brush! I told him, "I expect to see some master piece trees next month". He told me he did not buy them because it will make his trees better, he bought them because he can lay them out when he goes to a workshop and it will buy him some respect. I told him that any teacher will have more respect for the guy that can "see" a tree and knows how to wire properly, no matter what tools are on the table. He scoffed. He still has the tools and still makes shitty trees.

You don't need a two hundred dollar tool to do this;

One does need high dollar tools to do this;
View attachment 82616

View attachment 82618

Nice work

 

[Vin]

I must disagree. Just because "super" high quality costs more does not mean it HAS to. Kaneshin is example. The manufacturer does this because he can get away with it and there are always those for whom snob appeal is a big deal and for whom money is nothing. After all are not these the tools that Masters use?

So, only rich snobs use Masakuni tools? I've never once disclosed that I use Masakuni and I don't believe anyone that knows me would consider me a snob or rich. Kind of a harsh statement.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I must disagree. Just because "super" high quality costs more does not mean it HAS to. Kaneshin is example. The manufacturer does this because he can get away with it and there are always those for whom snob appeal is a big deal and for whom money is nothing. After all are not these the tools that Masters use?

Have you worked with both Masakuni and Kaneshin?