Bonsai Tools

[djlen]

I am in the market for a set of Knob Cutters and also Branch Cutters.
I'm also looking for a good quality hand saw for getting through those
large branches and roots when collecting.
There are many sites selling tools. I just have no clue which ones are
decent and which are junk.

Thoughts?

 

[rockm]

If you're looking for a collection saw, DO NOT buy a specialty Japanese saw. SImply go buy a quality regular pruning saw like any of these:

http://www.fiskars.com/webapp/wcs/s...0101&categoryId=10263&langId=-1&storeId=10001

Buy it assuming you will replace it the following year--if you collect more than three or four trees this year and plan on collecting the following year.

I replace my "collecting saw" prior to every collection season. They dull quickly on tough roots, sandy soil and rocks.

As for knob cutters--concave cutters work almost as well. If you're set on owning a knob cutter--any Japanese maker is fine. Avoid Chinese--I've found Chinese knob cutters have real issues when it comes to even blades.

You don't need a branch cutter. A simple folding Japanese pruning saw --similar to these:

http://www.fine-tools.com/baum.htm

will do and they're usually cheaper.

The saws are usually carried at most upper end nurseries in one shape or another. You can also find them occasionally at Lowes or Home Depot.

 

[HotAction]

I bought a folding saw at a gas station, not expecting much for my $5. To my surprise, it cut through a foot thick trunk like it was hot butter. My other tools, branch and knob cuttters were bought from Dallas Bonsai. The prices seem fair as any, and the tools work just fine.

Dave

 

[djlen]

Thanks for the quick replies guys,

Yes, I've bought from Dallas Bonsai before. I believe it was for wire. And I found them to be
very reputable and trustworthy.
I'd like more feedback on whether I would need both a Knob Cutter and a Concave Cutter. If I can get away with just the Concave I will go with a better one than that.

 

[Rick Moquin]

I have found that a spherical concave cutter to be a good compromise, between buying both a knob and concave cutter.

 

[djlen]

Thanks for the quick replies guys,

Yes, I've bought from Dallas Bonsai before. I believe it was for wire. And I found them to be
very reputable and trustworthy.
I'd like more feedback on whether I would need both a Knob Cutter and a Concave Cutter. If I can get away with just the Concave I will go with a better one than that.

 

[Victrinia Ensor]

Or get a die grinder Len... and avoid the rest.

I have a knob cutter I have never used, and a concave cutter I've probably used more for wire than I have for anything else... and certainly not for it's intended use. Francois Jeker is actually the only person who's ever used them as concave cutters, which I find very amusing.

I have a pretty simple rule of thumb given to me by Dan... If it's too small to carve... your scissors will do well enough... if it's big enough to carve, carve it and see if it works with the design... if it doesn't... then carve it off and create a shari or a hollow... but rare is the circumstances where a bullseye scar from a concave cutter is cool or useful.

Rock is totally correct on the collecting saw thing... get one of the fisker ones... they are great. And I'll second that Chinese tools are junk.

Yours most kindly,

Victrinia

 

[djlen]

Thanks for the quick replies guys,

Yes, I've bought from Dallas Bonsai before. I believe it was for wire. And I found them to be
very reputable and trustworthy.
I'd like more feedback on whether I would need both a Knob Cutter and a Concave Cutter. If I can get away with just the Concave I will go with a better one than that.

 

[Rick Moquin]

Thanks for the quick replies guys,

Yes, I've bought from Dallas Bonsai before. I believe it was for wire. And I found them to be
very reputable and trustworthy.
I'd like more feedback on whether I would need both a Knob Cutter and a Concave Cutter. If I can get away with just the Concave I will go with a better one than that.
__________________
Regards,
Len

You would prove your sincerity Len if you actually responded to the replies vice a cut and paste 3 times in a row. If we take the time to respond to your post, the least you could do is extend the same courtesy.

 

[djlen]

Well now I'm really in doubt. I started out all gung ho to get three tools and little by little people
are talking me out of them......lol. But I appreciate the input.
I will definitely be getting a saw. I can't go hunting for wild stuff without a nice sharp saw.

 

[Victrinia Ensor]

You would prove your sincerity Len if you actually responded to the replies vice a cut and paste 3 times in a row. If we take the time to respond to your post, the least you could do is extend the same courtesy.

heheheh for a bit there I thought I was in the twilight zone...lol I thought something must have gone coo-coo with the site

 

[Rick Moquin]

Someone has to look out for you mental health when you come here Vic. At first I thought it was a boo-boo, but when it turned out to be three times in a row, does baseball mean anything?

 

[greerhw]

I am in the market for a set of Knob Cutters and also Branch Cutters.
I'm also looking for a good quality hand saw for getting through those
large branches and roots when collecting.
There are many sites selling tools. I just have no clue which ones are
decent and which are junk.

Thoughts?

Save your time, don't go to garage sales............

keep it green,
Harry

 

[Victrinia Ensor]

Someone has to look out for you mental health when you come here Vic. At first I thought it was a boo-boo, but when it turned out to be three times in a row, does baseball mean anything?

I know I can always count on you Rick... But Len's a good guy... I'm sure it was just some strange mistake.

Now if only he'll take my advice and skip the hand tools and go for something which will expedite the process...

Yours most kindly,

Victrinia

 

[djlen]

You would prove your sincerity Len if you actually responded to the replies vice a cut and paste 3 times in a row. If we take the time to respond to your post, the least you could do is extend the same courtesy.

I don't know how that post was entered three times but if I somehow did it, it was purely by accident. What did you do, miss your afternoon nap? Or were you born not knowing how to talk to people?

 

[Rick Moquin]

INow if only he'll take my advice and skip the hand tools and go for something which will expedite the process...

Yours most kindly,

Victrinia

Ooooooh, it's electrifying

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Concave cutters are indispensable IMO. Everything else you can do with scissors and a saw. The biggest difference between concave and knob (aside from the cut) is the angle of approach. Since knob cutters' blades are perpendicular to the handles, it is difficult to cut off a branch in one cut unless you can get under it or over it; usually the target branch is in the way. Concave cutters are much easier to perform a flush cut in one motion.

I like reading that I might be able to start using my concaves to cut wire! Recommend the standard black metal or stainless?

 

[Rick Moquin]

Thanks for the quick replies guys,

Yes, I've bought from Dallas Bonsai before. I believe it was for wire. And I found them to be
very reputable and trustworthy.
I'd like more feedback on whether I would need both a Knob Cutter and a Concave Cutter. If I can get away with just the Concave I will go with a better one than that.

... in response to Dave

Thanks for the quick replies guys,

Yes, I've bought from Dallas Bonsai before. I believe it was for wire. And I found them to be
very reputable and trustworthy.
I'd like more feedback on whether I would need both a Knob Cutter and a Concave Cutter. If I can get away with just the Concave I will go with a better one than that.

... in response to me

Thanks for the quick replies guys,

Yes, I've bought from Dallas Bonsai before. I believe it was for wire. And I found them to be
very reputable and trustworthy.
I'd like more feedback on whether I would need both a Knob Cutter and a Concave Cutter. If I can get away with just the Concave I will go with a better one than that.

... in response to Victrinia

Would you mind explaining what in the world you are talking about please? What you've written here just makes no sense.
Although I think it's a lot of crap, I'd still like to be able to understand it so I could respond to it.

3 different individuals, with three different response.

Yet the exact same response all 3 times from yourself. If you typed them all out then kudos, if not then it is a little insulting... lacks board etiquette.

 

[Rick Moquin]

I don't know how that post was entered three times but if I somehow did it, it was purely by accident. What did you do, miss your afternoon nap? Or were you born not knowing how to talk to people?

I thought I was quite tactful actually

 

[Rick Moquin]

Concave cutters are indispensable IMO. Everything else you can do with scissors and a saw. The biggest difference between concave and knob (aside from the cut) is the angle of approach. Since knob cutters' blades are perpendicular to the handles, it is difficult to cut off a branch in one cut unless you can get under it or over it; usually the target branch is in the way. Concave cutters are much easier to perform a flush cut in one motion.

I like reading that I might be able to start using my concaves to cut wire! Recommend the standard black metal or stainless?

I started to use sphericals last year and I like the combination effect. I don't know how long they have been on the market, but I like them on smaller branches, although nothing will replace the knob cutter on larger stubs, well maybe a dremel