Masakuni Shears

yenling83

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So why are some of the Masakuni Shears so much more than other Masakuni shears? Why are some labeled as "for professionals" How do you like the original no 1 and no 2 shears? I was thinking of getting some no 2 shears which are around $90 most places. Much cheaper than several other models.

http://www.masakuni.com/f01.htm

thank you
 
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Smoke

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The same reason Armani suits are more expensive than a suit from J C Penny.



NAME recognition.

Owning Masakuni tools won't make your trees better either......
 

yenling83

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The same reason Armani suits are more expensive than a suit from J C Penny.



NAME recognition.

Owning Masakuni tools won't make your trees better either......

That was not my question-sorry should have made it more clear. I understand what you are saying completely. I'm asking the difference between the diffen't models of Masakuni tools. Why are there such drastic differences in pricing within Masakuni Shears- one model is $89 and another is $289.

I know they will not make my trees better.

But, If the goal is to look good, usually Armani beats out J.C. Penny.
 
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Smoke

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Demand....

Many of the tools are hand made and some are production models. When the demand of a certain tool reaches a certain level it becomes made on a machine and the price goes down. You are fortunate that you were not inquireing about these tools 25 years ago. They were far more expensive back then. the price of the tools have taken some good drops in recent years due to a declining market. There are many tool makers making quality tools at half the price so demand was met with lower prices. Stainless tools have kept pretty steady in the upper price range which is too bad since they won't hold an edge to save their sole.

There are some Yoshiaki tools and some Futaba tools that are surpriseingly expensive while a 40.00 tools will do the same thing.

I would write Masakuni tools directly and ask the reason.

You could also contact Seiji Shiba at http://www.shibuibonsai.com/
He is a Masakuni tool distributor.
 

greerhw

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Come on Smoke, what happened to the haves and the have nots, I'm definitely a have not when it comes to tools, mine are all Japanese, but not in that price range.

keep it green,
Harry
 

Smoke

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Come on Smoke, what happened to the haves and the have nots, I'm definitely a have not when it comes to tools, mine are all Japanese, but not in that price range.

keep it green,
Harry

Actually this has nothing to do with haves and have nots. I can afford the best tools possible. In fact what I spent this weekend I could have bought a dozen Stainless Masakuni tools. This is a case when spending so much on something that can be done with something for a third of the price is just using ones head.
 

greerhw

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Actually this has nothing to do with haves and have nots. I can afford the best tools possible. In fact what I spent this weekend I could have bought a dozen Stainless Masakuni tools. This is a case when spending so much on something that can be done with something for a third of the price is just using ones head.

An assumption on my part, you are talking about plant material, right. Here's where you and I differ, I would rather spend 2k on one nice tree than 2k on ten projects. He who dies with the most doesn't always win.

keep it green,
Harry
 

Smoke

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An assumption on my part, you are talking about plant material, right. Here's where you and I differ, I would rather spend 2k on one nice tree than 2k on ten projects. He who dies with the most doesn't always win.

keep it green,
Harry

You got lost somewhere Harry....
 

greerhw

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You got lost somewhere Harry....

Somewhere between the second and third Scotch I become dyslexic..................:D

keep it green,
Harry
 

Rick Moquin

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Stainless tools have kept pretty steady in the upper price range which is too bad since they won't hold an edge to save their soul.

... interesting observation, one that I can relate to. Many folks like stainless because it doesn't rust. I hate everything that requires an edge to be made of stainless. It is too time consuming to put a sharp edge on X tool when compared with the durability of said edge. Give me high quality carbon steel any day.
 

rockm

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The higher end tools do have some differences from the mid grade tools, as do mid grade tools from entry level. The biggest jump in efficiency is between entry level and mid-grade. Balance in the hand, joints and edges are a bit different, for instance. The difference between mid-grade and upper level aren't as noticeable, however. The upper level tools are more status symbol.

I have a mid grade stainless concave cutter I bought a few years ago. It's a bit more refined in the details, like incurved ends on the handle which is a bit more comfortable to use than straight handled cutters--especially in the larger sizes. Such small details aren't essential for use. However, they can make using the tool a bit more comfortable and efficient.

That said, paying three times the price of entry grade for such incremental details is hard to justify.

By the way, this kind of tool superiority is not limited to Japanese tools. Ever seen what Smith & Hawken charges for hand spades, shovels, etc.?
 

mcpesq817

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By the way, this kind of tool superiority is not limited to Japanese tools. Ever seen what Smith & Hawken charges for hand spades, shovels, etc.?

Yep, S&H is going out of business now...

It's like anything else where you get diminishing marginal rates of return on quality as prices get higher - cars, electronics, etc. (sorry, I was an econ major). The objective is to find the point along the curve that makes the most sense for you.
 
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So why are some of the Masakuni Shears so much more than other Masakuni shears? Why are some labeled as "for professionals" How do you like the original no 1 and no 2 shears? I was thinking of getting some no 2 shears which are around $90 most places. Much cheaper than several other models.

http://www.masakuni.com/f01.htm

thank you


The price of MASAKUNI shears differ according to the quality of steel and finish.


No.1, 8001, 2, 8002, 28, 8028 are products of basic line.

They are made of high quality steel and perfectly do
for not only ordinary customers but also professionals.

No.8001- series (silver ones) are covered with anti-rust coating
and the price is about 10% higher.


No.201, 8201, 202, 8202, 228, 8228 are made of steel of better quality
which ensures the long-lasting sharpness.

They costs almost 2 times as much as shears of the basic line
simply because they are made of better steel.


I use neither No.1 nor 2 because their handles are too large for me.

Instead, I use No.103 bud trimming shears (same quality as No.1, 2, 28)
and No.228.

At first, they seemed exactly the same to me
while No.228 was 2 times as expensive as No.103.

After 2 years, I recognized the difference between No. 103 and No.228.

When I close shears, the ends of handles hit each other.
Using No.228, I feel the shock is somehow absorbed,
while No.103 gives me direct shock.
And No.228 weighs light and the balance seems better in the hand.

The diffence will count for something after very long time of use.

But I don’t strongly recommend No.201-.
The price of a single pair of No.201- will cover the combination of
basic MASAKUNI shears and concave cutters.

Two different tools covers wider range of work than a single pair of No.201-.

I recommend No.201- for the customers
who are not satisfied with the basic line or
those who require “more”.


Anyway, it is up to you what to think about the difference.
Some are satisfied with $77,800 basic car of PORCHE 911 and
some require $132,800 PORCHE 911 GT3 RS.
If you are a top racing driver, basic PORCHE may seem dull to you,
while basic PORCHE is out of reach of ordinary citizens.


No.51, 52, 53 are made of steel which is still better than that
used for No.201- to ensure extraordinary durability against repeated use.
They cost more than 3 times as much as the basic line.

I have not used No.51, 52, 53.
They must be excellent tools, but I am very satisfied with No.103 and No.228.


No.101, 102, 128 are basically the same as No.1, 2, 28.

But they are finished by hand-polish and
the signature of "MASAKUNI" is written in golden letters.
They costs almost 5 times as much as the basic line
because of the cost of fine finish.

They are so-called "luxurious models",
similar to a car with leather seats and special ornaments.
They are not the features for practical use,
but they surely satisfy the joy of ownership.


The outlines and details of shears of similar design of different lines are
slightly different, so that you can tell the product number from the appearance.

Compare No.2, 201, 52 and 102.

http://www.masakuni.com/g/g2.htm
http://www.masakuni.com/g/g201.htm
http://www.masakuni.com/g/g52.htm
http://www.masakuni.com/g/g102.htm

It possible to tell the number from the details and
this is important for the manufacture and distributors.


While they are not on MASAKUNI web site, I have to mention SS series.
They are made of corrosion-resisting special steel.

It is not easy to produce tools which cut well by anti-rust steel.
So SS trimming shears cost about 2 times as much as No.1, 2, 28 and
slightly more expensive than No.201, 202, 228.

But you have to make sure that “corrosion-resisting” does not mean ”care-free”.
Even corrosion-resisting steel needs appropriate use and cleaning to keep sharpness.

Frankly speaking, SS series are not profitable
from the manufacturer’s and distributor’s point of view.
The price does not reflect the cost of production.

SS series also have a special feature on their blades.
They can be sharpened with their blades closed,
while you have to open ordinary shears when sharpening them.

Shears made of the same steel as No.1, 2, 28
with this special feature are available as S series.

S series are a little more expensive than No.8001-
because of the cost of production.


This is the price chart of MASAKUNI Shears.

(price high)

Custom made MASAKUNI (best steel, hand finish)




Luxury MASAKUNI No.101, 102, 128. (fourth best steel, hand finish)

Professional MASAKUNI No.51, 52, 53 (second best steel)


SS MASAKUNI SS-1, SS-2, SS-28… (corrosion-resisting steel, special feature)

Advanced MASAKUNI No. 201, 8201, 202, 8202, 228 8228
(third best steel, anti-rust coating models are available for the same price)

S MASAKUNI S-1, S-2, S-28… (fourth best steel, special feature)
Anti-rust coated MASAKUNI No.8001, 8002, 8028… (fourth best steel, anti-rust coating)
Basic MASAKUNI No.1, 2, 28… (fourth best steel)

(price low)
 
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yenling83

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The price of MASAKUNI shears differ according to the quality of steel and finish.


No.1, 8001, 2, 8002, 28, 8028 are products of basic line.

They are made of high quality steel and perfectly do
for not only ordinary customers but also professionals.

No.8001- series (silver ones) are covered with anti-rust coating
and the price is about 10% higher.


No.201, 8201, 202, 8202, 228, 8228 are made of steel of better quality
which ensures the long-lasting sharpness.

They costs almost 2 times as much as shears of the basic line
simply because they are made of better steel.


I use neither No.1 nor 2 because their handles are too large for me.

Instead, I use No.103 bud trimming shears (same quality as No.1, 2, 28)
and No.228.

At first, they seemed exactly the same to me
while No.228 was 2 times as expensive as No.103.

After 2 years, I recognized the difference between No. 103 and No.228.

When I close shears, the ends of handles hit each other.
Using No.228, I feel the shock is somehow absorbed,
while No.103 gives me direct shock.
And No.228 weighs light and the balance seems better in the hand.

The diffence will count for something after very long time of use.

But I don’t strongly recommend No.201-.
The price of a single pair of No.201- will cover the combination of
basic MASAKUNI shears and concave cutters.

Two different tools covers wider range of work than a single pair of No.201-.

I recommend No.201- for the customers
who are not satisfied with the basic line or
those who require “more”.


Anyway, it is up to you how to think about the difference.
Some are satisfied with $77,800 basic car of PORCHE 911 and
some require $132,800 PORCHE 911 GT3 RS.
If you are a top racing driver, basic PORCHE may seem dull to you,
while basic PORCHE is out of reach of ordinary citizens.


No.51, 52, 53 are made of steel which is still better than that
used for No.201- to ensure extraordinary durability against repeated use.
They cost more than 3 times as much as the basic line.

I have not used No.51, 52, 53.
They must be excellent tools, but I am very satisfied with No.103 and No.228.


No.101, 102, 128 are basically the same as No.1, 2, 28.

But they are finished by hand-polish and
the signature of "MASAKUNI" is written in golden letters.
They costs almost 5 times as much as the basic line
because of the cost of fine finish.

They are so-called "luxurious models",
similar to a car with leather seats and special ornaments.
They are not the features for practical use,
but they surely satisfy the joy of ownership.


The outlines and details of shears of similar design of different lines are
slightly different, so that you can tell the product number from the appearance.

Compare No.2, 201, 52 and 102.

http://www.masakuni.com/g/g2.htm
http://www.masakuni.com/g/g201.htm
http://www.masakuni.com/g/g52.htm
http://www.masakuni.com/g/g102.htm

It possible to tell the number from the details and
this is important for the manufacture and distributors.


While they are not on MASAKUNI web site, I have to mention SS series.
They are made of corrosion-resisting special steel.

It is not easy to produce tools which cut well by anti-rust steel.
So SS trimming shears cost about 2 times as much as No.1, 2, 28 and
slightly more expensive than No.201, 202, 228.

But you have to make sure that “corrosion-resisting” does not mean ”care-free”.
Even corrosion-resisting steel needs appropriate use and cleaning to keep sharpness.

Frankly speaking, SS series are not profitable
from the manufacturer’s and distributor’s point of view.
The price does not reflect the cost of production.

SS series also have a special feature on their blades.
They can be sharpened with their blades closed,
while you have to open ordinary shears when sharpening them.

Shears made of the same steel as No.1, 2, 28
with this special feature are available as S series.

S series are a little more expensive than No.8001-
because of the cost of production.


This is the price chart of MASAKUNI Shears.

(price high)

Custom made MASAKUNI (best steel, hand finish)




Luxury MASAKUNI No.101, 102, 128. (fourth best steel, hand finish)

Professional MASAKUNI No.51, 52, 53 (second best steel)


SS MASAKUNI SS-1, SS-2, SS-28… (corrosion-resisting steel, special feature)

Advanced MASAKUNI No. 201, 8201, 202, 8202, 228 8228
(third best steel, anti-rust coating models are available for the same price)

S MASAKUNI S-1, S-2, S-28… (fourth best steel, special feature)
Anti-rust coated MASAKUNI No.8001, 8002, 8028… (fourth best steel, anti-rust coating)
Basic MASAKUNI No.1, 2, 28… (fourth best steel)

(price low)

Wow! thank you very much, this is a better response than I could have asked for:)
 

SemperJay

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The price of MASAKUNI shears differ according to the quality of steel and finish.


No.1, 8001, 2, 8002, 28, 8028 are products of basic line.

They are made of high quality steel and perfectly do
for not only ordinary customers but also professionals.

No.8001- series (silver ones) are covered with anti-rust coating
and the price is about 10% higher.


No.201, 8201, 202, 8202, 228, 8228 are made of steel of better quality
which ensures the long-lasting sharpness.

They costs almost 2 times as much as shears of the basic line
simply because they are made of better steel.


I use neither No.1 nor 2 because their handles are too large for me.

Instead, I use No.103 bud trimming shears (same quality as No.1, 2, 28)
and No.228.

At first, they seemed exactly the same to me
while No.228 was 2 times as expensive as No.103.

After 2 years, I recognized the difference between No. 103 and No.228.

When I close shears, the ends of handles hit each other.
Using No.228, I feel the shock is somehow absorbed,
while No.103 gives me direct shock.
And No.228 weighs light and the balance seems better in the hand.

The diffence will count for something after very long time of use.

But I don’t strongly recommend No.201-.
The price of a single pair of No.201- will cover the combination of
basic MASAKUNI shears and concave cutters.

Two different tools covers wider range of work than a single pair of No.201-.

I recommend No.201- for the customers
who are not satisfied with the basic line or
those who require “more”.


Anyway, it is up to you what to think about the difference.
Some are satisfied with $77,800 basic car of PORCHE 911 and
some require $132,800 PORCHE 911 GT3 RS.
If you are a top racing driver, basic PORCHE may seem dull to you,
while basic PORCHE is out of reach of ordinary citizens.


No.51, 52, 53 are made of steel which is still better than that
used for No.201- to ensure extraordinary durability against repeated use.
They cost more than 3 times as much as the basic line.

I have not used No.51, 52, 53.
They must be excellent tools, but I am very satisfied with No.103 and No.228.


No.101, 102, 128 are basically the same as No.1, 2, 28.

But they are finished by hand-polish and
the signature of "MASAKUNI" is written in golden letters.
They costs almost 5 times as much as the basic line
because of the cost of fine finish.

They are so-called "luxurious models",
similar to a car with leather seats and special ornaments.
They are not the features for practical use,
but they surely satisfy the joy of ownership.


The outlines and details of shears of similar design of different lines are
slightly different, so that you can tell the product number from the appearance.

Compare No.2, 201, 52 and 102.

http://www.masakuni.com/g/g2.htm
http://www.masakuni.com/g/g201.htm
http://www.masakuni.com/g/g52.htm
http://www.masakuni.com/g/g102.htm

It possible to tell the number from the details and
this is important for the manufacture and distributors.


While they are not on MASAKUNI web site, I have to mention SS series.
They are made of corrosion-resisting special steel.

It is not easy to produce tools which cut well by anti-rust steel.
So SS trimming shears cost about 2 times as much as No.1, 2, 28 and
slightly more expensive than No.201, 202, 228.

But you have to make sure that “corrosion-resisting” does not mean ”care-free”.
Even corrosion-resisting steel needs appropriate use and cleaning to keep sharpness.

Frankly speaking, SS series are not profitable
from the manufacturer’s and distributor’s point of view.
The price does not reflect the cost of production.

SS series also have a special feature on their blades.
They can be sharpened with their blades closed,
while you have to open ordinary shears when sharpening them.

Shears made of the same steel as No.1, 2, 28
with this special feature are available as S series.

S series are a little more expensive than No.8001-
because of the cost of production.


This is the price chart of MASAKUNI Shears.

(price high)

Custom made MASAKUNI (best steel, hand finish)




Luxury MASAKUNI No.101, 102, 128. (fourth best steel, hand finish)

Professional MASAKUNI No.51, 52, 53 (second best steel)


SS MASAKUNI SS-1, SS-2, SS-28… (corrosion-resisting steel, special feature)

Advanced MASAKUNI No. 201, 8201, 202, 8202, 228 8228
(third best steel, anti-rust coating models are available for the same price)

S MASAKUNI S-1, S-2, S-28… (fourth best steel, special feature)
Anti-rust coated MASAKUNI No.8001, 8002, 8028… (fourth best steel, anti-rust coating)
Basic MASAKUNI No.1, 2, 28… (fourth best steel)

(price low)
GREAT INFO!!!... Thank You Very Much For The Insight!
 

Eric Group

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Zombie thread activated!
Linda sad to see old members who never post any more... Yelling had such a pretty dog... Where the heck did he go?

Boy, I hope that guy from Omiya Bonsai village comes back... His is the kind of insight we need around here! Cool thread, thanks for digging it up!
 

Adair M

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Yenling83 is alive and well. Not sure why he's not posting, I'll ask when I see him. He has incredible trees, several nice collected ones.

Edited to add: I think he posts on FB from time to time.
 
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Eric Group

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Yenling83 is alive and well. Not sure why he's not posting, I'll ask when I see him. He has incredible trees, several nice collected ones.

Edited to add: I think he posts on FB from time to time.
Yep, always enjoyed his posts... That is what is sad- so many good members have disappeared and all their great content and trees gone with them. I am only recently putting any effort into engaging with Bonsai people on FB... So much good info on there and so many great pics! Saw a few of you in an album one day Adair... Having diner with a bunch of Bonsai folks somewhere... Cannot recall the location now.

Regardless if you talk to him, tell him he is missed around here. We need to keep the good ones coming back somehow. We all benefit from good content!
 

Adair M

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No telling which restaurant that was in. We go to 2 a day during the Intensives. Different restaurant every meal, but we usually go to the same ones each time I go.

Yenling83 had the famous "coffin juniper". A collected Sierra juniper that had a long tap root. He built a box to fit the root ball, and it was shaped like a coffin! I helped him break open the coffin, and reduce the rootball down to a square box. Next time, it will get a pot.

By the way, the soil most often used when first potting those collected junipers is pumice. Straight pumice.
 
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