Beginner in search of good quality, reasonably priced tools.
Help would be greatly appreciated. I will have to probably purchase off
the internet as I live in the middle of nowhere.

At 10:44 AM 12/27/2004, Mat wrote:
Beginner in search of good quality, reasonably priced tools.
Help would be greatly appreciated. I will have to probably purchase off
the internet as I live in the middle of nowhere.

Being a tool freak I have several brands which I would rate as follows:
Masakuni silvery tools - if I had to start all over they would all
be this type (no rust, almost as strong as regular steel and almost
maintenance free)
Masakuni black metal tools.
Joshua Roth or Kiku - about the same quality IMHO
Yagimitsu brand which is carried by the Monastery - I just
purchased their new combination concave;knob cutter and it seems well made
Fujiyama brand which is carried by Dallas Bonsai - If you ignore
the finish these are good tools

I have found that a good brand of toenail cutters (not the clipper type)
are sufficiently sharp to make a good cut, come in stainless and work great
on the smaller stuff.

You get what you pay for, but care goes a long, long way in preserving any
tool. A small tool will be sprung or worse if trying to do a large job
while a large tool in your hand when doing a tiny task will be very awkward
indeed. I never finish using a tool without a wipe down with WD-40. Works
for me

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I'd recommend reviewing the Dallas Bonsai website as he has a bit of a
primer on this subject. He only sells tools made in Japan so his prices
maybe a bit high for you to start with, but I've started with some of his
lower priced knob cutters and such. And he does a great job of describing
the difference between black, silvery, stainless, etc.

http://dallasbonsai.com/store/bonsai_tool.html

hth,
John
who bought his first "bonsai tools" at Wal-Mart :)


"James T Harwood" wrote in message
lynx.com...
At 10:44 AM 12/27/2004, Mat wrote:
Beginner in search of good quality, reasonably priced tools.
Help would be greatly appreciated. I will have to probably purchase off
the internet as I live in the middle of nowhere.

Being a tool freak I have several brands which I would rate as follows:
Masakuni silvery tools - if I had to start all over they would
all
be this type (no rust, almost as strong as regular steel and almost
maintenance free)
Masakuni black metal tools.
Joshua Roth or Kiku - about the same quality IMHO
Yagimitsu brand which is carried by the Monastery - I just
purchased their new combination concave;knob cutter and it seems well made
Fujiyama brand which is carried by Dallas Bonsai - If you ignore
the finish these are good tools

I have found that a good brand of toenail cutters (not the clipper type)
are sufficiently sharp to make a good cut, come in stainless and work
great
on the smaller stuff.

You get what you pay for, but care goes a long, long way in preserving any
tool. A small tool will be sprung or worse if trying to do a large job
while a large tool in your hand when doing a tiny task will be very
awkward
indeed. I never finish using a tool without a wipe down with WD-40.
Works
for me


************************************************** **************************
****
++++Sponsored, in part, by Boon Manakitivipart++++

************************************************** **************************
****
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Hi, We supply Japanese and Chinese bonsai tools and would be happy to make you up a set to suit what you want.

Drop us an e-mail at or have a look on the website at yorkbonsai.co.uk

All the best, Simon