Bonsai Tools - All You Need To Know
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ย. 2024
- Many of you have asked for advice on the use of tools in Bonsai. So in this video I will explain the various tools used in bonsai.
Pruning and cutting is at the base of all bonsai you have to be prepared to prune and cut to make bonsai. These are some tools that help when cutting and shaping your tree.
Secateurs are a good cheap tool that you can make good bonsai with. Very good to have in your toolbag.
Tools used in bonsai (can be made of black or stainless steel):-
Bonsai scissors (for trimming)
Root cutting shears
Pruning shears
Satsuki shears (which is a very useful tool)
Top Tip: never use twig cutting shears to cut root as the soil and sand will blunt the blade.
Another useful tool is a branch cutter (this tool enables you to cut a branch close to the trunk and it doesn’t leave a snag). However the Wen or Knob Cutter goes even further and gouges a bit of wood out of the surface of the trunk.
The Hybrid Cutter amalgamates the two (the wen cutter and branch cutter)
A narrow branch cutter will help get in between branches.
Then there is the Branch Splitter, you use this to cut into the branch(split it) to make it easier to bend.
Jin Pliers are mainly used to strip bark but you can also use them to bend wire (when it is thick)
A favourite tool of mine is called a Chinta which is used in India for making chapati and it is very useful for making jJns.
Wire cutters are good when it comes to cutting through different grades of wire and much better than electrical wire cutters.
Root rake is a useful tool for raking soil.
A Sickle is helpful when you are trying to remove a bonsai from its pot. If you cut round the root ball with a sickle it is easier to get the bonsai out (especially if in an incurve pot)
Clamps or Jacks can be used to bend branches. Though bending a branch can be done effectively by using the right grade of wire in my opinion.
Tool sharpeners like sharpening stones and the diamond cutter can be used to sharpen instruments.
There are many tools that you could use in bonsai, experiment and see what works for you.
To visit the Herons website please go to www.herons.co.uk
If you're interested in the tools mentioned in this video www.herons.co....
Branch Cutter www.herons.co....
Toolkits can be found here www.herons.co....
This guy is and should be an inspiration at the start of the video he makes clear he wants you to start with bonsai not start to buy his stuff
instaBlaster
Couldn't have hoped for a better subject for a video. Amazing, thank you so much!
A really great run-through of all the tools needed. You are a natural and inspiring teacher Peter. Thank you!
I value each video more and more. I have learned so much from you. It is truly a blessing to be part of this long Journey we all call Bonsai.
You got that set of tools when I was about 8 months old. I love to see a good set of tools that has been kept up.
Such a wonderful and truly informative video! Thank you, Peter. I've been interested in bonsai for years but was always discouraged from doing it myself as I was told it was very expensive to do and required specific materials and tools that were very costly. How refreshing to have someone of your skill level encourage everyone to try it and state it can be done more or less for free using found specimans from the yard and very basic tools. You may not be, as you say, a great salesman but you are an incredibly honest and genuine human. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and your encouragement. I'm recovering from a total knee replacement and having the second one done in a few weeks. I find your videos very relaxing because of your soft voice and gentle manner so I've been watching all of your videos as I recuperate. I'm anxious to try bonsai myself. As soon as I'm able I'll be scouting my yard for seedings I can make into bonsai. 🙂
A smashing video Peter. Both informative and entertaining. Thank you.
I have a couple of garden scissors and an ordinary table fork that I have bent for scraping the rootball. Works fabulously.
Really enjoying your videos , your a legend for sharing your knowledge and wisdom tricks of the trade. Cheers
That as made the confusion about what tools to use a lot easier thank you Peter ,as I am a beginner your knowledge and experience helps me a lot thanks for sharing ...
Master Chan, the depth of your knowledge is outstanding and I would never presume to advise you on anything "bonsai". There are some things that I've discovered in my other hobbies that you may find useful in bonsai. (1) That India tool that you said was your favorite looks amazingly like the long handled pliers used in performing a brake job on automotive drum brakes. Those pliers are used specifically to release the strong springs that hole down the brake shoes and thus have long handles. The gripper end has a hooked shape just like the Indian pliers you use. (2) In sharping your cutting tools; gunsmiths use various shaped honing stones for fine dressing of gun parts. Since gun parts are normally made with hardened steel (sometimes CASE hardened) the stones should be just fine for honing the freshly sharpened edges of bonsai cutters. Those stones come in various cross sectional shapes, such as rectangular, round, and teardrop. (3) In producing moss that will give your trees a moss with scale appearance of carpeting, just as in the wile; take a hand full or 2 hand fulls of your favorite moss and clean all dirt from the specimens and put them into a kitchen blender. Just cover the moss with distilled water and use the puree selection. You;ll shortly have a moss "soup" that you can brush onto the surfaces surrounding the base of the tree using a soft bristled brush. Once the moss begins to grow, it'll give you a more scale appearance; just like in the "wild".....not thick and lumpy like so many bonsai enthusiasts end up with in their pots. I hope this information can be of use to you. I thank you for your time and energy in producing your videos of which I have learned so very much in my renewed interests in the bonsai art. May you have a Blessed Day, Sir.
You are absolutely spot on! Improvisation is the word. As you say, in every trade - the masters improvise. The best bonsai practitioners have just basic tools. The worst ones have all the tools in the world because they think that will make them Masters of the art. But those tools are never used! Ha ha.
@@peterchan3100 You have made me rethink by own tool kit. I'll pare it down to 3 different sizes of scissors, my Fiscars by-pass clippers, and my basic bonsai tool kit. That should lighten my tool bag by about 25 pounds, Ha Ha. All of those extra tools and support items will go into another tool box just in case.......Thank you, Sir, for you soft handed admonition. Ha Ha.
I got my girlfriend a 20 year old bonsai for the price of feeding the owners cats and dogs for the next 6 months. (well also a bottle of rum) So I began watching the bonsai videos and really was drawn to your videos. Then I saw one where you showed a book -- it was the same book I used when I grew bonsai back in the 80's. I'm honored to find you here! And used this video to make the decision of what is needed for this beautiful tree. I got the long scissors you showed in a starter kit that included wire for training new bonsai. Our goal it to eventually build a lovely bonsai garden in my finca when I buy one. You have influenced at least one resident of Colombia! And following your teachings I found that even though 3 times watering per week worked for the creator of the tree, where I have it located it needs daily watering. Fortunately I only lost the ground cover. Wanted to replace it with moss anyway!
Thanks! For a newcomer this is very useful.
I appreciate your channel; your time, your expertise and your authenticity.
It’s a true joy, blessing and gift to enjoy your inspiration, insights and passion for the art, first hand.
I practiced Bonsai as a schoolboy, via some extended learning opportunities I was blessed with.. Bonsai, Calligraphy abs Poetry I was drawn to insomuch as the arts are concerned. However, much as in life, choices I made precluded my opportunity to pursue Bonsai, in any serious form.
I’m so thrilled channels and masters such as yourself are available on TH-cam..
I have a spine injury and often the pain .. tempts me to give up...
Recently, I think only from divine inspiration, Bonsai jumped into the forefront of my thoughts,, because the art is a long term process necessitated of patience and mindfulness..qualities I definitely need to hone and practice given my physical circumstances.
These videos, and a few other channels I admit, are so helpful in the evening- transitioning my thoughts from a day of pain.. to “possibilities” . As in Bonsai, the path is the path.
You have a gift for speaking my friend, I hope you enjoy presenting these episodes as much as I (and I’m certain others) enjoy benefiting from same.
🙏🏻🙏🏻🌲✂️👊🏻
BTW... I love carbon steel..
IMHO,, it is far superior to stainless from a user perspective, given it is much easier to keep extremely sharp.
No doubt, there is SOME maintenance vs “stainless”.. one needs to rub the tool down with a high quality oil before placing back in storage, other than that.. it (carbon steel) is a magnificent material for cutting and holding / defining / correcting an edge.
To each their own🙏🏻😊
I know how to maintain edges extremely well, so I may be biased.
Again, lovely channel and much continuous success.
BTW...
I could listen to this gentleman explaining how to properly fill ice cube trays.
What a tremendous speaking voice.
Thank you my friend for your kind feedback. I wish you well in all your pursuits and I hope Bonsai will prove to be real therapy for you.
True, I have a potatoe peeler of my mother’s that’s at least 55 years old, the double blade on it is carbon steel, still as sharp today as when it was bought, in fact it gets sharper with use.
Ditto
Peter, I have some of your older books. You were so young on the photos, maybe in your 20’s or 30’s, Cheers from LA!
Yes - my first book was written in 1984!
Thank you for sharing bonsai knowledge, the videos are both very informative and explained very clearly!
Peter is the best! I love his calme manner and his great expertise! Really cool stuff 😍
Thank you. This was an absolutely must video. I'm kind of a beginner in that despite knowing a lot about bonsai, I have yet to really start cutting and pruning. I was wondering what tools to start with to get my toolkit going. This video really helped me make those decisions.
Thank you so much for always providing us a great useful and knowledgable video. I love your videos!!! Thanks!
I bought a black iron set about 80 bucks, as I am using it I will decide on what tools I use the most and replace with stainless, thank you so much for the video, I am learning how each tool has it's job and don't use branch tools on roots, now have about 7 bonsai under my belt, it's hard to stop, every tree is different and needs it's own unique shape.
Peter, you have become my favorite human. :) Office chairs, saws. Awesome. I use a bent kitchen butter knife to get my plants out of solid pots!
I enjoy your videos very much they are so informative on whatever subject you choose even tools very good. Also I cannot say how much I enjoyed my visit to your nursery today so many examples of every style and shape of bonsai, the best I have ever been to. I will definitely be coming back.
Love your videos. Thanks for making such an informative and detailed video with practical use-case scenarios/alternatives.
I'm going to be getting a set of bonsai tools hopefully in the near future, and I was so confused about what the different shears were for. Your video really helped to clear that up and gave me some insight on what to look for, so thank you!
I like the pile of tools, and you only use certain ones, it’s like my pile. Good video
Thank you, dear sir, for your inspirational videos. I am taking the plunge and beginning to create a few bonsai now. I am attempting to channel my inner Mr. Chang and say Let's Create a Tree with a Thick Trunk, Where is the Front of this Tree, Let's Not Be Afraid to Trim these Roots and Thick Branches! You are providing the encouragement that bonsai enthusiasts appreciate.
Hi Peter I would like much, you can show us what fertilizer you use. I know some marks, made in Japan, but I would like know if there are some naturals made in home. I like so much your videos, thanks.
Thank you for explaining about the tools to create your Beautiful Bonsai trees
Thank you for sharing your ideas with us. I've been watching your tutorials 3 years ago. Now, I have also made my own bonsai channel because you became one of my inspirations. How I wish I could be in your place and have bonsai lessons with you.
thank you for fulfilling my request. its was very informative. i am glad you touched on sharpening too. Much appreciated
Thank you so much for all your very informative videos. Much appreciated!
A wonderful video, as always! Thank you Peter.
Very informative. Thanks And so happy to know you know about our chimta!
The earliest known scissors appeared in Mesopotamia 3,000 to 4,000 years ago.
...Thank you for your videos
I have learned so much from your channel! Thank you for making this video.
Very helpful. I learned so much. Thank you very much.
I'll tell you one thing (but most here probably already know that), if someone has such a collection of tools and is able passionately to say something about each of them, he is definitely a professional, a MASTER in his field.
Thanks you Peter FOR such informative video.
Thank you so much , Loves From Turkey (Türkiye)
This video is a gold mine of information! thank you
Very very interesting video. Super informative sir. Thanks for sharing your wisdom.
Thank you Sir, I have learned so much from your channel. You even have specific solutions for questions that come up in my bonsai journey. You are a Godsend.
Great videos - thank you so much for sharing your knowledge
A man can never have too many tools!
Always enjoy ur video....always learning..thank you for sharing
Merci pour ces précieuses explications
Great video Peter. Best video I've seen on tools.
Most excellent information. Love your videos!
I always enjoy your videos. Thank you.
You’re a legend…❤️from Kolkata
Very good tutor .
Great video for a newbie like me. Thank you. 😊 Have learnt a lot. Just not at stage for a lot of the tools yet. Great to see what I may need in future journey with my bonzai journey
Great clear and very helpful information thank you
TH-cam bonsai king! . Love him
This was excellent. Thank you!
Thank you so much for this. And I'm glad you're not as you say a very good salesman, I'd rather learn the proper uses of the tools than be sold a lot of unnecessary items. Besides your work speaks for itself, and is truly lovely.
Thank you - you are really kind.
Fantastic tips!
It's kind of you to consider that some of us can't purchase all equipment right off the bat; it makes the video useful to a variety of people. When I can I think I'd like to look at the tools that you sell- do you think you could put a link to your online store in the description of this video? That would be wonderfully convenient. Your creativity and ingenuity will not be forgotten- thank you very much for this video.
Thank you!
Most bonsai dealers sell tools, so I dont think there is a need to provide a link, My own store sells all the bonsai tools too.
this video was so helpful. thank you so much.
I think the little swedish knife with the wooden handle is not a hunting knife (skinner), it's originally made for wood carving...
Thanks to YOU, legendary master.
Best whishes from Mexico
I really look forward to your videos, thank you!
Mission accomplished - made me spend some more money again ;-) Thanks again for your masterpiece of knowledge transfer!
I enjoy your videos..thank you for your time!
FINALLY! I found this video helpful.
"you get what you pay for" I don't know why but this made me laugh so much.
Thank you for sharing ❤
Hi Peter , just a quick question , the satsuki scissors that you referred to as the one single most useful tool to have , and the one you use the most, can you point me in the right direction on your web shop, I am looking to buy a set but I am not sure which those are that you’re holding there. Many thanks. 😃✂️😃
Thank you Peter for this wonderful video. I have learned a lot from you and though I am a beginner I always remember you say if you cannot prune harder then don't get into bonsai. Its hard to do it first but after doing what you say I have got great results in shaping. Also, at one point in time when you started discussing the Jin pliers I was like what! did you just say "chimta?" Your Hindi pronunciation is so perfect. I thought did I change the language to Hindi :). Anyway, thank you for sharing and enlighting all of us with this video.
I was born and brought up in India - didn't you know?
@@peterchan3100 Awesome! Didn't know about that.
Buenos videos algo para aprender
Omg u went to first bonsai convention! I wish I could have been there 😟
Hi Peter. Very useful info! 👍 What brand secateurs do you use or recommend using? Thanks in advance.
I want to know too
Thanks Sir! I enjoyed watching your videos.
Great info !!!
Really appreciate this! 🙏🏻
Thank you!
Awesome video! Thanks
3:43 to quote some british comedian, "WE USE TO MAKE STEEL!"
Could you please share the brand of tools in the red and black packaging?
Thank you,
Josh
That chimta is so familiar in India..
For Japanese white pine seeds, are you supposed too scarify it. An example is take the tip of the seed where the seed was attached to the plant I’ve heard that you need too cut off the numb of the seed so the roots can penetrate the shell. Basically just trim the back of the seed off
Best not to - Stratification is best.
Amaizing vídeo! 🙏🏻
For someone new to bonsai, just get a few tools to start and add on as needed? Or just get a set of tools now for more money and might need them later?
I wish you were in Naples, FL!
Peter, I have looked online for a pair of hybrid cutters. What comes up when I search are either branch cutters or know cutters. They are also listed as concave cutters and straight edge cutters. Is there another name for the hybrid cutters?
You also mention your 3rd book. I have located a few copies on the used market. They are selling for over $200! Have you thought about re-issuing this book, or even self-publishing it?
A small correction. Carbon steel tools keep their edge longer and require less sharpening than stainless steel tools.
A myth. It mostly depends on the steel. A lot of old or poorly made stainless tools do not keep and edge like you say. If the tool stainless tool is made with high carbon stainless it will likely hold an edge longer but be harder to sharpen, this is because high amounts of carbon mixed with the high chromium required to make it stainless will result in the characteristics I described. A lot of old stainless tools had 0.20% carbon and we compared them to plain carbon steels that were made with 0.90% or 1% carbon - an unfair comparison.
@@ashaion1777 Interesting. Thanks.
Is it anything to do with the tempering because Japanese swords are not stainless but kept sharp by polishing and sharpening?
How can the black steel tools be cleaned? Great video!
Very Nice Video👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Herons Wisdom:
"You get what you pay for".
Thank you
Thank you very much. But what about chisels and power carving machines? Do you ever use them personally?
I must confess I am not a great fan of carving. I admire those who do it well, but dont like those who carve each and every tree as if there is no tomorrow.
Ola esas herramientas las desearía conmigo je je pero son muy caras muy buena presentación
Aunque sea unas no todas soy de mexico
Regalenme algunas je je je ok
Saludos
Hi Peter I was wondering where you find the Chinta tool you showed I tried finding it online .
the more the better
What is the tool used to gouge veining in dead wood trunks etc.
Corte tree ok 👍
I'd like to buy some how do I order
Whats is the name of the brand of your best stainlees steel tools thats look like a book?
Hey Mr. Peter
I would like to buy that "hybrid" branch cutter but I can't find it on your website
Any hint where I can obtain such a instrument, please
Ма ша Аллах
Hi The Indian tool is not as you referred to, it’s called a Pakkad!
The Master's avoidance of pretension and unecessary complexity is appreciated.