AusBonsai

Hi everyone,
I've had my stainless ryuga set for about a year now. I have been quite pleased with them in comparison to a super cheap Chinese set that they replaced. So far I've only had positive comments from more experienced members of my club when they have happened to use them. They seem to keep their edge fairly well and have only a bit of rust on the big knob cutters where I haven't been too careful cleaning them after use.
I would recommend them at this point, hopefully they stand up as well to long term use.

I also have ryuga, knob & branch + root scissors and they have survived everything this noob has done to them!

I think if money wasn't a factor I would go with Kaneshin.

By the sounds of it though, Ryuga might be worth considering as a cheaper but still quality alternative.

I have had Ryuga branch cutters for 6ish months now and they do the job. I have found them to be softer than my japanese tools but in their intended use that wont be an issue. I dropped mine once and got a few chips in the steel.

Hello

I am new to the game (after an 8 year hiatus whilst overseas), and have been looking for a small set of key tools to get me going again. Ryuga tools do look very affordable, however I was hoping someone might be able to answer two questions for me. What is the difference between carbon steel and stainless steel for bonsai tools? I'm not anticipating heavy use (i.e. maybe 12-15 trees total) so was wondering whether the cheer carbon style would suffice? (I also quite like the look of the black tools)

Also Im assuming that for branch cutters the sizing related to the size of the cut made, and therefore if I am only getting one, it would be best to go for a larger size?

Any thoughts would be gratefully received!

Thanks, Jonathan

Hi Jonathan, we just happened to meet the owner of Masakuni tools yesterday and the question about stainless vs carbon came up. Basically carbon steel holds an edge really well, down side of course they rust easily. Stainless needs be of a very high grade to get the same edge holding ability, which means paying around 3 times the price of the equivalent carbon tool. If you can't afford a quality stainless tool then the carbon tool will be superior. Hope that helps?

Carbon are absolutley fine so long as you look after them.
Oil and clean them, and do not leave them in moist areas they will last for years.

My first set of tools I purchased from Ray nesci I am still using ( after 10 years) all of them except the trimming Scissors. I purchased high cost stainless replacement due to typical beginner abuse of them

Ken

Thank you for the information. Waiting for a couple of them to replace their Chinese budget predecessors...
looking forward to enjoying the difference.
Pierre

kcpoole wrote:Carbon are absolutley fine so long as you look after them. Totally agree, take more looking after but they're still good!
Oil and clean them, and do not leave them in moist areas they will last for years....
Ken

G'Day Ken,
out of curiosity, any particular oil or any of the spray-ons like WD40/CRC?

CoGRedeMptioN wrote:

kcpoole wrote:Carbon are absolutley fine so long as you look after them. Totally agree, take more looking after but they're still good!
Oil and clean them, and do not leave them in moist areas they will last for years....
Ken

G'Day Ken,
out of curiosity, any particular oil or any of the spray-ons like WD40/CRC?

I use a product called "TRI-FLOW" Superior Lubricant. http://www.deadlytreadlies.com.au/shop/ ... -6oz-177ml

Steven gave me a little bottle of it but I would use any household or cooking oil as well.

Ken

kcpoole wrote: I use a product called "TRI-FLOW" Superior Lubricant. http://www.deadlytreadlies.com.au/shop/ ... -6oz-177ml

Steven gave me a little bottle of it but I would use any household or cooking oil as well.

Ken

Thx, the ones I have mentioned are not a problem, tho ...

Thanks all, that is extremely helpful - carbon it is!

Thanks for your help.

Jonathan

Hi All
probably the best anti rust product i've found is Lanotec Lanolin, it's a naural lubricant derived from sheeps wool . I spray it on acloth and wipe it onto my tools
regards
peterb

I will second that.
I make fine furniture and all of my chisels and planes are carbon steel. Over the years I have found lanolin to be a better preservative and lubricant than any of the mineral oil types. Unlike the mineral oils, lanolin does not dry out or evaporate over time. I find a good clean followed by a wipe over with liquid lanolin and then storage wrapped in a dry or even slightly oily cloth works fine.
At the end of the day you should always be caring for your tools properly, rust is a sure sign of neglect and not the fault of the tool.

Ulf wrote:I find a good clean followed by a wipe over with liquid lanolin and then storage wrapped in a dry or even slightly oily cloth works fine.

I will third that.
Exactly what I do too. Tools stay in great condition.