Marco Invernizzi's new tool - "Ichiban"

[treebeard55]

Those are your kids, Garage? Yes, you're lucky. My own daughter is around the same age, so you know why I say yours are the second-most-beautiful in the world. (No insult intended, in case it needs to be said.)

 

[treebeard55]

... I'm not sure why people have such a visceral reaction against Marco generally...

As one who grew up in a Latin country (Ecuador) I think much of it is cultural perception: Marco sometimes comes across to Yanks as cocky, brash, and full of himself. To other Italians, I think he seems cocky and brash too, but not nearly so much. His mannerisms are interpreted differently in his home culture, and more as he intends them.

I watched his demo at ABS '04 in St. Louis. He seemed cocky and brash to me too, but no more than many Americans his age, once I allowed for the cultural difference. And his skill as a bonsai artist can't be denied.

Give him some time. Hopefully (as for all of us) with experience will come wisdom.

 

[Marco Invernizzi]

harry, I'm new to this so I checked a couple of times a day to see what is going on but I assure you that today I spent 7 hours at my nursery doing some summer haircut to my itoigawa. This summer 2009 has been with them and I'm very please with that.

Attila, thank you for your support and you nailed it! Why you guys keep complaining about how ICHIBAN is expensive......that's what xmas, bdays and father day are for right? I really thought about ICHIBAN being a very usefull and good looking tool and a great present. Your loved ones can write you a note on the back of the box and you will always treasure it not just in your heart but on a shelf on somewhere in your bonsai workshops.

Yamadori, I'll do my very best to work together with the director of the ICHIBAN videos so to give you all the best and most authentic vision of what is ICHIBAN and what can do it for you. I wont disappoint you.

 

[ginger]

Maybe you can go buy two shoes that match now!

 

[ginger]

Maybe you can go buy two shoes that match now!

Obsit 123456789

 

[BONSAI GARAGE]

Those are your kids, Garage? Yes, you're lucky. My own daughter is around the same age, so you know why I say yours are the second-most-beautiful in the world. (No insult intended, in case it needs to be said.)

thanks they are getting to be a handfull Soon I'll be in the market for a double barrell shotgun.

 

[BONSAI GARAGE]

they are sooo sweet. You are a lucky father and I'm very proud of my ICHIBAN groupies, thank you!

Thanks bro, I feel very lucky.. They got a kick out of seeing you again this year.

harry, I'm new to this so I checked a couple of times a day to see what is going on

Hmmmm I think somebody's getting hooked on the bonsai interwebs.. LOL Can you post some pics of your tree so we can critique it?

 

[Anonymous User]

Marco,

You Italians are sure cocky, lol! I have been with the same Italian girl for almost 12 years now and I start every day out with a little Italian whine. (Wouldn't trade her for the world.)

I'll certainly look you up when we are in Italy next year, last time there we spent the whole week on the family farm, this time we do it my way, bonsai.


As much as the Ichiban can do, there are a couple things it can not, can we expect another tool in the future?


You have my Ichiban ready?



Will

 

[greerhw]

Before Marco was born I had a crush on a certain sexy Italian actress that was so hot, well never mind. She was in my top three along with Brigitte Bardot, Marilyn Monroe. Her name was Gina Lollobrigida , to this day my blood pressure still rises when I think about her and Marco is over here looking for blonds, go figure.

keep it green,
Harry

 

[Marco Invernizzi]

It's funny how people may use the words "self-confidence" to describe their sports idols, military forces or, in general,the people they like and the words "full of theirself" the ones that don't fit in their own criteria.
In '04, at 28 years old I was in St.Louis as the youngest ever headliner demostrator at a BCI congress, by then I already studied 4 years with Kimura, had my own nursery, import several container from Japan every year on my own, won multiple times the major european bonsai competitions and cound't fit a needle in my schedule.
I remember that demo, here some pictures:http://www.absbonsai.org/cmenu/marco/marco1.html
A Ponderosa pine with a pot that was so big that had wheels on it otherwise we would have need a big yellow crain to move it, an after dinner "everybody in sleepy mode" demo which was taking place in a room where the odiens was so spread out that I could have played tennis with the person closer to me and a volunteer who came up on stage and while I was explaning something about how to carve that monster of Pine he decided to litterally rip a part 90% of the buds.
I'm really sorry if in 3 hours I had to made a fool of myself to style that pine, keep the odiens awake and mostly pass on some usefull didactical information. I'm really sorry.

Will, yesterday I talked with Masakuni the 3rd and he is still working on refining few details for the ICHIBAN which will get to USA around the 10th August. ICHIBAN is stricly all hand made. I already got reserved one for you and my distributor will soon get in touch with you.

I already have an idea about a new tool but I'd love to hear your opinion about how to improve the bonsai tools or create a new one. I actually I already talk to a bonsai magazine editor about the idea to promote a "design the new bonsai tool" world contest with great award and incentives.

Happy Sunday everybody!

 

[Rick Moquin]

All this time I thought the English were known for their good manners. I guess they're AH's in every country.Hey NUT, how long are you going to let this Pr#ck hang around, he contributes nothing. Marco comes on your board for the first time ever and this jerk insults him.

keep it green,
Harry

... or Gary KK

 

[amkhalid]

I'm really sorry if in 3 hours I had to made a fool of myself to style that pine, keep the odiens awake and mostly pass on some usefull didactical information. I'm really sorry.

Marco, I don't know why you are apologizing... your demos are always a great learning experience, and very entertaining. It is impressive what you did with this pine, even if an 'eager assistant' cut off all the buds!

 

[Graydon]

Wow. 23 pages of discussion on a "magical" $350 tool. Sad.

Either buy it or don't. It won't make you any better will it? I am sure that the tool itself costs more than the average members most expensive tree for sure but...

$350 is not a lot for a well made tool. I spent $399 yesterday for a very specific hand held pneumatic sander. It's a short stroke in line sander and the paper is only 2 3/8" x 6". So my smallest and least used sander just cost me $400 but it will excel at the job it was designed to do and will no doubt last me a lifetime.

I can't wait to see one in person. I am a Masakuni fan and I bet this is a great tool. I didn't read all 23 pages but I wonder if there is a left handed version available? I suffer from the southpaw syndrome.

Nice box Marco. I appreciate the attention to details.

 

[Marco Invernizzi]

Dear Left Handers

Dear Left Handers,
it took me 3 full years to develop ICHIBAN and from the very beginning I kept all of you in mind. So I designed the handle in a way that it invites just the tips of the fingers to grab the tool in order to leave almost 2 inches between ICHIBAN and the palm of your left hand.
Why?
Because in order for all of you to use ICHIBAN at its best you have enough space to push with the thumb towards the palm of your hand and so, very easily, ICHIBAN turns into a perfect left-hander tool.
A video will explain the correct use, but it's honestly very easy to understand as soon you have ICHIBAN in your hands.

Thank you Mr.Graydon for your kind comment on the packaging, it's made with japanese KIRI (Paulownia tomentosa) by a famous japanese artisan.

 

[rockm]

Thanks for your posts Marco. Terrific to see you here.

For what it's worth, I still think the thing is too expensive for most bonsaiists--me included. As economic pressure here in the states weighs heavily on alot of people. I have felt that pressure acutely in the last two years and, as a result, I have limited income for bonsai. I don't think I'm alone in this.

Right now, value, for me, is in the tools that I already have. Some of them are Masakuni purchased many years ago, so I'm familiar with their quality. I'm sure Ichiban is similarly a quality tool, developed with the greatest skill. I've never doubted that.

Oh, don't pay any mind to the "full of themselves" opinions If no one had confidence in what they are doing, nothing would get done...

 

[Graydon]

Dear Left Handers,
it took me 3 full years to develop ICHIBAN and from the very beginning I kept all of you in mind. So I designed the handle in a way that it invites just the tips of the fingers to grab the tool in order to leave almost 2 inches between ICHIBAN and the palm of your left hand.
Why?
Because in order for all of you to use ICHIBAN at its best you have enough space to push with the thumb towards the palm of your hand and so, very easily, ICHIBAN turns into a perfect left-hander tool.
A video will explain the correct use, but it's honestly very easy to understand as soon you have ICHIBAN in your hands.

Thank you Mr.Graydon for your kind comment on the packaging, it's made with japanese KIRI (Paulownia tomentosa) by a famous japanese artisan.

You are welcome Marco. I actually owe you a thank you for pizza and drinks one day at Jim Gremel's place. You were doing a workshop and I came to visit Jim with Brent and you insisted we join you for lunch. I believe you actually forced me to sit and eat - so thank you!

I know the handles will work but lefty tools generally have the cutting edges reversed so we can see what we are cutting. Compare left handed scissors with right handed ones and you may see what I mean. Right handed cutters block the view of the cut a bit due to line of sight. Hold right ones in your left hand and trim a small twig.

I look forward to seeing them in person at a show. I generally like to hold a tool before purchase (that's what sold me on masakuni in the first place).

Do you cut copper wire with them? I must assume it's a small diameter wire if so.

Anyhow - keep up the innovation and the visually pleasing presentation. I like it.

 

[Marco Invernizzi]

I know the handles will work but lefty tools generally have the cutting edges reversed so we can see what we are cutting. Compare left handed scissors with right handed ones and you may see what I mean. Right handed cutters block the view of the cut a bit due to line of sight. Hold right ones in your left hand and trim a small twig.
Do you cut copper wire with them? I must assume it's a small diameter wire if so.

Dear Graydon,
pizza is meant to be shared! You are more than welcome.
I tested ICHIBAN with 3 left-handers and solve the problem you have in mind by creating a tool with a shape that allows the user to approach the target from the side and not from the front (90°).
ICHIBAN can be usually used my left and right handers and actually can be used by both kid of users up side down as well, so to allow you to prune the bottom part of the branch without bending your body.

Ichiban is proved to cut 2.5 copper with the wirecutter and 3.5 at the crossing of the blades even closer to the BIG PIN. There a simple but very effective tecnique that must be used and it will be explained by the videos.

Please stay tuned.

Thank you

 

[buddhamonk]

Someone obviously forgot to tell her about Ichiban!!!

 

[TheSteve]

Buddha-
I see no pic. I hate it when they forget the punchline.

 

[BONSAI GARAGE]

Buddha-
I see no pic. I hate it when they forget the punchline.

Allow the laid off IT guy to fix it.http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ep-tPZiHEGU/SJyG4zxzszI/AAAAAAAABh4/nSWvFAXkbwk/Picture+286.jpg