I'm just really getting seriously into bonsai projects, and always wondered how the tools and wiring were done. I had a "bonsai master" show me some things recently, and now I'm also discovering the tools, akadama, and things used to do the process are adding up to quite a bit of $ ! ! ! Especially planters . . . I'm going to be waaaaay behind in where I want to progress, just because the cost factor is significant. Other than that, I LOVE my bonsai projects! Two of them even survived our single digit temps here in the DFW area of Texas with nothing more than a sheet of plastic over them, with other big plants around them for some shelter.
For the pots, there is a HUGE range of qualities and prices. There may be more affordable options. Do shope around. Not everything needs to be in hand-made, japan import with golden lining!
@@GrowingBonsai Thank you for your reply. Today I worked at a Bonsai "farm" and one of my jobs was cleaning up the dusty planters/pots, mostly ceramic. Most of them had numbers and 3 initials. It was interesting to see the variety; shapes and sizes, even the number/sizes of the drainage holes. Since this was a commercial business, pot selection was paramount to their success - because those were going to be marketed. Mine, however, are for MY enjoyment, so I'm not that concerned about an expensive ceramic planter. I want my eye to be focused on the plant, not the container.
I just found your channel, and it's fantastic! I've been learning bonsai for 3 or 4 years now, but going over the basics in such a clear way really solidifies all the bits of information I learnt here and there, and makes it finally come together. There's not many beginner videos out there that are so clear and succinct. Thank you! One question I've never got to the bottom of, is which species do you need to use knob cutters on? Is it all species, or only some? Someone told me only the species that heal the wound with a bump need to be cut with knob cutters, and I'd need to experiment to know which ones. Is that true? Thank you so much!
Hi Katy, Thank you so much! Indeed, I started this channel as a bit of a joke between friends, and have ow decided to try and grow this in an information-rich bonsai channel. I clean up all wounds that I want to heal. Indeed, some make bigger bumps than others. Then again.. Those that do not give big bumps often have thin bark, where you still see all that happens below. So in general, I always work on the wounds a little to get them to close nicely. Not sure this help you :)
If your in the United States American Bonsai Carrie’s them in at least 2 sizes, possibly 3 sizes, they also guarantee their tools and offer a sharpening service as well.
Would love to hear more about tools, like what are good tools, where can i get good tools online that also do not break the bank? Which is the best tool to start with? Whats the best material?
Hi Jelle, First of all, thank you for your enthousiasm and the excellent video material, it inspired me to go for something that i tried about 20 years ago, and gave up on because it just didn't work out at the time. I'm starting up some trees through your guides (and frequent visits to the garden center :)) Toolwise, i have close to nothing, except cutting shears and saws that i use for my fruit trees in the garden. What would u recommend to get as a basic (affordable) toolkit for a beginner ? These kaneshin tools are beautiful, but not quite my budget now. Thanks in advance !
I find Ryuga to be good value for money. The person who set it up is a bonsai grower himself. The tool in the video or a knob cutter & concave cutter would be a good addition.
Almost one year later, what do you think about this combined tool now? I'm about to buy my first concave cutter and i'm wondering if i should go for one combined or two separate tools.
Have you got a guide to sharpening these? i have a feeling mine came out a little dull from the factory, sometimes squeeze over wood instead of cutting
Very nice tool, Jelle! Not to spoil the moment for you, but if the new tool replaces two other tools, it will go blunt twice as faster! 😅 Jokes aside, very cool tool and nice packaging as well!
Hi Israel, I have found Kaneshin to be very good tools. They are a traditional Japanese brand. If you would prefer something a little more affordable, Ryuga is a good starting point.
Hi Michael, I am doing the teachers programme at the international bonsai school Dusseldorf. They have an online shop with these. I am not sure where they ship things. Are you sure no local store carries these? www.bonsaiwerkstatt.de/shop
@@GrowingBonsai I think Peter chans garden centre herons sells something similar I usually get my tools off amazon as I am a beginner I do not want to spend to much money on tools as I don't have to many trees at the moment but I am getting there slowly, may I ask you as well did you teach your self about bonsai or did someone teach you you ,you our very knowledgeable.. It's thanks to people like you that I am finally doing things right you are a inspiration ✨️. Thank you so much ....
@@natrjack965 It is always a dificult balance between investing in a hobby and deciding, is this for me long term? After 12 years I am now starting to invest in higher quality tools. The others served well for a long time. There is a difference, but marginally. I am an ecologist by formal education, been dealing with plants since a kid. Over de last decades I have taken lots of workshops and classes. Currently I am nearing the end of a formal 8 year programme to become nippon recognized bonsai teacher 🤔
Hi Colin, as a non-native speaker I wonder whether that is semantics, or more fundamental. I think the tools have essential functionality, which is now available in a combined tool. Maybe the specific 2 tools are no longer required, but their function is.
Thanks for replying mon, it’s good of you to take you’re time to reply. I was only joshing pal and you most likely speak and write English betterer than I does 👍.
Please do a longer video about all your tools. This was very helpful.
Will do! In fact, I have one in the making
Yes, I would love to see your bonsai tools in use. Please record a longer video about them.
Hi Clicio, good to hear from you. Guess I will be busy over winter!
I prefer the last one, makes a better wound to heal... Thanks for sharing.
Great to hear from you. I agree. The last one is a very nice tool
Wonderful tool snd explanation.
Glad you liked it!
I recently bought one of these here in the UK Jelle, they called it a 'Hybrid Tool'. Really impressed with the way it works.
they are great aren't they?
Where in the UK did you get them from . Thanks .
I've got all three, but the rounded are my "go to" tools. Enjoy your new tool!
Thank you Zantlo!
I'm just really getting seriously into bonsai projects, and always wondered how the tools and wiring were done. I had a "bonsai master" show me some things recently, and now I'm also discovering the tools, akadama, and things used to do the process are adding up to quite a bit of $ ! ! ! Especially planters . . . I'm going to be waaaaay behind in where I want to progress, just because the cost factor is significant. Other than that, I LOVE my bonsai projects! Two of them even survived our single digit temps here in the DFW area of Texas with nothing more than a sheet of plastic over them, with other big plants around them for some shelter.
For the pots, there is a HUGE range of qualities and prices. There may be more affordable options. Do shope around. Not everything needs to be in hand-made, japan import with golden lining!
@@GrowingBonsai Thank you for your reply. Today I worked at a Bonsai "farm" and one of my jobs was cleaning up the dusty planters/pots, mostly ceramic. Most of them had numbers and 3 initials. It was interesting to see the variety; shapes and sizes, even the number/sizes of the drainage holes. Since this was a commercial business, pot selection was paramount to their success - because those were going to be marketed. Mine, however, are for MY enjoyment, so I'm not that concerned about an expensive ceramic planter. I want my eye to be focused on the plant, not the container.
I just found your channel, and it's fantastic! I've been learning bonsai for 3 or 4 years now, but going over the basics in such a clear way really solidifies all the bits of information I learnt here and there, and makes it finally come together. There's not many beginner videos out there that are so clear and succinct. Thank you!
One question I've never got to the bottom of, is which species do you need to use knob cutters on?
Is it all species, or only some?
Someone told me only the species that heal the wound with a bump need to be cut with knob cutters, and I'd need to experiment to know which ones. Is that true?
Thank you so much!
Hi Katy,
Thank you so much! Indeed, I started this channel as a bit of a joke between friends, and have ow decided to try and grow this in an information-rich bonsai channel.
I clean up all wounds that I want to heal. Indeed, some make bigger bumps than others. Then again.. Those that do not give big bumps often have thin bark, where you still see all that happens below. So in general, I always work on the wounds a little to get them to close nicely. Not sure this help you :)
@@GrowingBonsai it does, it helps a lot! So you would basically use knob cutters on every wound, or do you do anything else to clean up the wound?
@@katyb2793 a sharp knife is very usefull to have handy too!
@@GrowingBonsai I see, thank you so much! 👍🏻
I finally got one of these cutters. It works very good. I’m looking for a larger version, now
Hi Jeff, good point getting a bigger one. These are more sensitive to bending than knob cutters I have been told.
If your in the United States American Bonsai Carrie’s them in at least 2 sizes, possibly 3 sizes, they also guarantee their tools and offer a sharpening service as well.
Would love to hear more about tools, like what are good tools, where can i get good tools online that also do not break the bank? Which is the best tool to start with? Whats the best material?
Interesting topic! Will need to do a bit of research, as I have only tools from maybe 4 sources right now
Nice Tool ! 👍👍👍
nice huh!?
Please can you show a video on how to care and sharpen your bonsai tools please yelle..
Great video 📹 👍
Great suggestion! This sounds like a winter-video, as the rest of the work is slowly slumbering at that time!
Hi Jelle, First of all, thank you for your enthousiasm and the excellent video material, it inspired me to go for something that i tried about 20 years ago, and gave up on because it just didn't work out at the time. I'm starting up some trees through your guides (and frequent visits to the garden center :))
Toolwise, i have close to nothing, except cutting shears and saws that i use for my fruit trees in the garden. What would u recommend to get as a basic (affordable) toolkit for a beginner ? These kaneshin tools are beautiful, but not quite my budget now. Thanks in advance !
I find Ryuga to be good value for money. The person who set it up is a bonsai grower himself. The tool in the video or a knob cutter & concave cutter would be a good addition.
Almost one year later, what do you think about this combined tool now? I'm about to buy my first concave cutter and i'm wondering if i should go for one combined or two separate tools.
I am not completely sure. I often find myself grabbing my knob cutter tbh
Have you got a guide to sharpening these? i have a feeling mine came out a little dull from the factory, sometimes squeeze over wood instead of cutting
Very nice tool, Jelle!
Not to spoil the moment for you, but if the new tool replaces two other tools, it will go blunt twice as faster! 😅
Jokes aside, very cool tool and nice packaging as well!
hahaha, but blunt tools CAN be sharpened i have been told!
I have not purchased my first set of tools. I would like to know some good brands to look into. I don’t mind spending money for good tools either.
Hi Israel, I have found Kaneshin to be very good tools. They are a traditional Japanese brand. If you would prefer something a little more affordable, Ryuga is a good starting point.
Do you have a link so we can buy from same shop if they ship to the UK 🇬🇧 thank you 😊
Hi Michael, I am doing the teachers programme at the international bonsai school Dusseldorf. They have an online shop with these. I am not sure where they ship things. Are you sure no local store carries these? www.bonsaiwerkstatt.de/shop
@@GrowingBonsai I think Peter chans garden centre herons sells something similar I usually get my tools off amazon as I am a beginner I do not want to spend to much money on tools as I don't have to many trees at the moment but I am getting there slowly, may I ask you as well did you teach your self about bonsai or did someone teach you you ,you our very knowledgeable..
It's thanks to people like you that I am finally doing things right you are a inspiration ✨️.
Thank you so much ....
@@natrjack965 It is always a dificult balance between investing in a hobby and deciding, is this for me long term? After 12 years I am now starting to invest in higher quality tools. The others served well for a long time. There is a difference, but marginally.
I am an ecologist by formal education, been dealing with plants since a kid. Over de last decades I have taken lots of workshops and classes. Currently I am nearing the end of a formal 8 year programme to become nippon recognized bonsai teacher 🤔
@@GrowingBonsai wow that's truly amazing and it is a privilege to learn from you I will keep watching and learning 😊
Is it the hybird cutter?
Ha, I would say.. Join in a few hours and find out whether your guess is correct!
And the winner is you! It is the hybrid!
Where did you find the tool in Germany?
I think it was at the bonsai werkstat dusseldorf
Where did you get this Tool from Germany?
I *think* I got it at bonsai dusseldorf!
Thank you for sharing your vidio
My Pleasure!
Jelle any chance of a link to the tool? Bedankt
afraid not as i bought this in a fysical store
👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿
Will you join me this afternoon?
So they aren’t essential then 😜
Hi Colin, as a non-native speaker I wonder whether that is semantics, or more fundamental. I think the tools have essential functionality, which is now available in a combined tool. Maybe the specific 2 tools are no longer required, but their function is.
Thanks for replying mon, it’s good of you to take you’re time to reply. I was only joshing pal and you most likely speak and write English betterer than I does 👍.
@@colinedward3147 no worries;) I think people ask questions, i can reply :)
Just to be spoken: dont buy stainless Steel because its to soft for cutting...
Buy instead tooles forged black carbon steel...thats the goal
i think there is a lot of personal preference here. I have both stainless as well as carbon steel tools, all serving me well