Very informative video. Got a set because they had concave and knob cutters which are necessary for removing bigger primary branches and help to form an even surface when the scar tissue folds over. These are the bonsai specific tools I wanted, which I couldnt find in a regular hardware store. However they are misaligned and dull which smashes the tissue rather than cleanly cut it. With some modification they do work okay.
Thanks for your critique. I’ve come to the same conclusion through the evolution of my experience. Keep the videos coming. Very interesting and informative. Thanks, keep growing
Exactly - one of the points here is that even if it's not a bonsai tool, if it works for you and is durable and usable, then use it! But, the other point is that some things claiming to be bonsai tools are actually just junk.
@@Bonsaify sorry if i sounded ,, protesty,,, i should admidt i did not watch all of video,, just assumed you wanted everyone to buy all of this =) but ok,,, il watch it all,, in shame :)
We do sell tools, and the links in the description are to our tools as well as the cheaper versions from Amazon (Affiliate links) but, what I (Eric) want is to not see beginners getting duped into buying literal garbage that is useless just because it's cheap and available on Amazon. Whether they buy tools from me of find their own tools, or adapt them from an old tool from a flea market, just don't waste your time and money on garbage. TBH, I'd like to see how you use the butter knife.😂. Not sure unless you sharpened it what that would be able to do.
@@Bonsaify Butter knife is used to loosen roots around edge inside of pot,, ofcourse. what do u use for this task ? dont tell me its your tweezer,, the the tweezer,, the tool in top right section of screen @ 1:46 ,t has a bend on it and a blade looking like structore ontop,, you know what its for ? would have imagened just for this task but ,, then blade is bent,, i dunno. maybe its even better bent ? for shallow pots anyway ?
As a beginning beginner, this information is exciting, appreciated, and invaluable! I have all the suggested "dupes" on the way. Fingers crossed I can keep my three new bonsai alive as I historically murder other plants by overwatering.
Ive always regretted buying cheap bonsai tools, but at lease you'll get good at sharpening as they'll alway be getting blunt or dull. Bootfairs or fleamarkets are a treasure trove of good quality tools you can repurpose for bonsai.
That's a good point about the sharpening. I use the cheap tools as a way to learn how to put a proper edge on and get them somewhat usable, then transfer these skills to detail sharpening the quality tools. It is very satisfying when you have an unusable tool and make it somewhat half decent.
Bypass pruner? They make a few similar to the Felco models. Bypass pruners are fine for some rough operations, but tend to fall short when you have fine detail work to do. Using a concave cutter and a small bonsai scissor is the beter alternative.
I'm using the short ones mainly right now (34D), but I like the long ones too. (38C). The 39's are cheaper and a good scissor. But I also use the ARS grape scissors, and have been for 10+ years. They're durable, but unless you grind off the secondary bevel, sharpening them is annoying.
So the bottom line is, a basic Chinese set from Amazon with a better selection than you chose is ideal for the hobbyist. My set has trimming scissors, root scissors, branch cutters, wire cutters, and a decent rake that all do what I need for 20-30 plants. Nobody is paying me to do bonsai, so what I have is exactly what I need.
Agreed. I had the same selection as yours, as well as a knob cutters and a root hook. The only tool I needed in addition to that was a decent pair of pliers and I opted for a three-piece 8-inch set with combination pliers, long-nose pliers and side cutters, and I feel well equipped for most situations. I can just replace each tool with a higher quality piece if they ever break or wear to the point of no repair. But with that set I've been able to start practising bonsai with low cost and minimal hardship.
So i bought myself some decent pair of concave pruners (spherical) from ryuga, but they seem to be smashing rather than cutting, is this a case of needing sharpening?
Could be - or they could have another problem. The concave cutters, either type, are among the hardest to keep working well. Put on a pair of glasses and examine how the edges meet. One should slip just under the other. If there are nicks or alignment problems, that's probably the problem. If it all looks good, then try sharpening.
Why do you put down these tools? Are you a master? I think not, I’ve been doing bonsai since the early 80s, I use my tools that are at least that old, did watch your channel but thinking I made a mistake👎
Order a set and find out for yourself. It's cheap garbage, not useful tools that you could keep for a lifetime like you mention. Thanks for watching, and good luck.
Very informative video. Got a set because they had concave and knob cutters which are necessary for removing bigger primary branches and help to form an even surface when the scar tissue folds over. These are the bonsai specific tools I wanted, which I couldnt find in a regular hardware store.
However they are misaligned and dull which smashes the tissue rather than cleanly cut it. With some modification they do work okay.
Thanks for your critique. I’ve come to the same conclusion through the evolution of my experience. Keep the videos coming. Very interesting and informative. Thanks, keep growing
i use , 1 rusty old wire cutter, 1 old butter knife, and 1 pair of kitchen scissors.
been rather happy with that for 5-6 years..
Exactly - one of the points here is that even if it's not a bonsai tool, if it works for you and is durable and usable, then use it! But, the other point is that some things claiming to be bonsai tools are actually just junk.
@@Bonsaify sorry if i sounded ,, protesty,,, i should admidt i did not watch all of video,, just assumed you wanted everyone to buy all of this =) but ok,,,
il watch it all,, in shame :)
We do sell tools, and the links in the description are to our tools as well as the cheaper versions from Amazon (Affiliate links) but, what I (Eric) want is to not see beginners getting duped into buying literal garbage that is useless just because it's cheap and available on Amazon. Whether they buy tools from me of find their own tools, or adapt them from an old tool from a flea market, just don't waste your time and money on garbage.
TBH, I'd like to see how you use the butter knife.😂. Not sure unless you sharpened it what that would be able to do.
@@Bonsaify Butter knife is used to loosen roots around edge inside of pot,, ofcourse. what do u use for this task ? dont tell me its your tweezer,, the the tweezer,, the tool in top right section of screen @ 1:46 ,t has a bend on it and a blade looking like structore ontop,, you know what its for ? would have imagened just for this task but ,, then blade is bent,, i dunno. maybe its even better bent ? for shallow pots anyway ?
I bought one of those kits 8 months ago. it had some more useful tools like concaves but I haven't used a single tool from it anyways.
Great video! Think I'm going to refer to this when people ask questions about tools!
As a beginning beginner, this information is exciting, appreciated, and invaluable! I have all the suggested "dupes" on the way. Fingers crossed I can keep my three new bonsai alive as I historically murder other plants by overwatering.
A felco nr2 was all i used for years but after getting all the tools i find a nobcutter is one of the most helpfull tools
Ive always regretted buying cheap bonsai tools, but at lease you'll get good at sharpening as they'll alway be getting blunt or dull. Bootfairs or fleamarkets are a treasure trove of good quality tools you can repurpose for bonsai.
That's a good point about the sharpening. I use the cheap tools as a way to learn how to put a proper edge on and get them somewhat usable, then transfer these skills to detail sharpening the quality tools. It is very satisfying when you have an unusable tool and make it somewhat half decent.
Would be interested in your take on the Fiskars brand of scissors, particularly those identified for pruning use.
Bypass pruner? They make a few similar to the Felco models. Bypass pruners are fine for some rough operations, but tend to fall short when you have fine detail work to do. Using a concave cutter and a small bonsai scissor is the beter alternative.
What size Kaneshin scissors are the ones in your main kit?
I'm using the short ones mainly right now (34D), but I like the long ones too. (38C). The 39's are cheaper and a good scissor. But I also use the ARS grape scissors, and have been for 10+ years. They're durable, but unless you grind off the secondary bevel, sharpening them is annoying.
So the bottom line is, a basic Chinese set from Amazon with a better selection than you chose is ideal for the hobbyist. My set has trimming scissors, root scissors, branch cutters, wire cutters, and a decent rake that all do what I need for 20-30 plants. Nobody is paying me to do bonsai, so what I have is exactly what I need.
Agreed. I had the same selection as yours, as well as a knob cutters and a root hook. The only tool I needed in addition to that was a decent pair of pliers and I opted for a three-piece 8-inch set with combination pliers, long-nose pliers and side cutters, and I feel well equipped for most situations. I can just replace each tool with a higher quality piece if they ever break or wear to the point of no repair. But with that set I've been able to start practising bonsai with low cost and minimal hardship.
Nice explaination,,, cheers from Indonesia
Missed the brand of the red handle heavy wire cutters?
Knipex Mini Bolt Cutters: amzn.to/3vogPtd
Great review. Thanks.
So i bought myself some decent pair of concave pruners (spherical) from ryuga, but they seem to be smashing rather than cutting, is this a case of needing sharpening?
Could be - or they could have another problem. The concave cutters, either type, are among the hardest to keep working well. Put on a pair of glasses and examine how the edges meet. One should slip just under the other. If there are nicks or alignment problems, that's probably the problem. If it all looks good, then try sharpening.
Or cut the branch off using normal cutter and only cut the little stump of use your rounded cutter it will not realy cut a big branch only the stumps
Can you send to Colombia pots & tools?
What is the pprice of 1 kit.
Gracias
anyone else gets confused with wire cutters and concave pruners?
✂🔨🔪🔧📁📱👍👍
Why do you put down these tools? Are you a master? I think not, I’ve been doing bonsai since the early 80s, I use my tools that are at least that old, did watch your channel but thinking I made a mistake👎
Order a set and find out for yourself. It's cheap garbage, not useful tools that you could keep for a lifetime like you mention. Thanks for watching, and good luck.