AusBonsai

Hey all, any advice on a good beginners tool kit? Are these ones on Ebay any good? Useless? Just use a chopstick??

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-14Pcs-Bo ... 2a1f0b20c5

I have limited experience so take my thoughts for what they are worth.

I bought the same kit a couple of months ago. It is ok, I have only used a couple of the tools so far though.

I have a pair of Japanese made genji branch cutters that I got a few years ago, from memory they cost around $60-$70). I don't know how good genji cutters are but are 100 times better then the ones in the kit.

My suggestion would be if you are just starting out and if funds are a bit tight to get the kit and then upgrade the pieces when funds become available. If you have extra funds then I would buy the better quality pieces straight away.

I would highly recommend buying quality tools first up. I use cheap root cutters and throw them away after a season or two. If you think about it you can start your kit with a good set of branch cutters for the 85 bucks which is the most used tool and slowly add to it.

I have been wanting to ask this same question for a while too Q.

All I use is a small pair of side cutters and a shari pair of secateurs and not the pass through either.. So why not go for the cheap stuff.
And dose the cheep shari hold a good edge ounce its sharp.

Cheers dave

I can't see how you can go too wrong..

Buying those bits individually from a quality brand will cost a decent amount of coin.

Some of the tools will likely be perfectly ok and no doubt save a significant amount of money.
I'm referring to items such as..

1 x 20cm Traditional Wire Cutter
1 x 23cm Jin Pliers
1 x 27cm Trunk Splitter
1 x 23cm Root Hook
1 x 22cm Rake with Spatula
1 x Branch Bender(11x9cm)
1 x 16cm Hemp Broom
1 x One Bottle of Oil(0.5oz)
5 x Aluminum Rolls of Training Wire
1 x All-In-One Nylon Tool Case

Really I prefer to go the quality kit route but IMO these might (and I mean MIGHT) serve as a good base.
You can simply update those that you use more frequently and find aren't doing such a great job when you feel the need.

I think it just comes down to your budget and how serious you are..

We have been down this road so many times . . . . . . . . . But here goes anyway. For a beginner just buy a cheap chinese pair of branch cutters and a pair of root shears. That is all I had for the first year - I bought them on ebay and they still serve me well. When you decide that the bonsai bug has really bitten hard you can start buying better quality tools as required. Go to a club workshop meeting and ask to handle some tools to see how they feel.

Hi there, I, personally, would stay away from them. $85 would just get you a decent medium-size quality Japanese branch cutter, or an equivalent concave cutter. I cannot do without a branch cutter. These good ones seem to last forever. I would just buy good quality ones, one by one slowly. There is no need to rush.

Good luck with your search and best regards.

I use something about middle of the line. I do have myself a pair of felco secuters. I got the other tools through my club.
But some things you can save on, go to the hardware and just buy a cheap pair of pliers, they cut wire just as well as any expensive brand. And as for something to scrape the soil away from the roots I find nothing better than a bent fork from the kitchen. To cut your plants out of the pot a good old knife from the Mitch or steak knife.jope that helps in saving some money.

Mate I purchased the 34 piece kit of the one you posted up - same tools. They're actually not bad mate, I wouldn't imagine these dying on me (so long as you keep the joins well oiled and use the right size cutter for the right size roots and branches - i.e. you shouldn't have to wrestle your tree to cut a root off).

The only thing is, having bought the 34 piece kit, I have all the sizes I'll need - anything too big to be cut by my tool kit I'd juse use a pruning saw anyway.

Regards,
-Mo

Thanks everyone!! My wife is disgusted at how seriously I'm taking this whole bonsai thing... but she started it last year by buying me my first bonsai for Christmas... now the backyard looks like a nursery... Perhaps this year she can buy me the tool kit to manage it all, that'll make her really happy! it's been nice knowing you all...

Qitianlong wrote:Hey all, any advice on a good beginners tool kit? Are these ones on Ebay any good? Useless? Just use a chopstick??

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-14Pcs-Bo ... 2a1f0b20c5

Ray nesci sells an introductory tool kit for i think not much more than $120 or so. ( have to check the currentl prices)
Contains trimming Scissors, Root Scissors, Branch cutter, Rake, cloth roll

I bought mine when I started and still going strong.

Ken

"Ray nesci sells an introductory tool kit for i think not much more than $120 or so. ( have to check the currentl prices)
Contains trimming Scissors, Root Scissors, Branch cutter, Rake, cloth roll

I bought mine when I started and still going strong.

Ken"

Ken, and is that all you've needed? or have you added other tools?

The problem I find with tools, is you can never have too many


Cheers Pup

Qitianlong wrote:"Ray nesci sells an introductory tool kit for i think not much more than $120 or so. ( have to check the currentl prices)
Contains trimming Scissors, Root Scissors, Branch cutter, Rake, cloth roll

I bought mine when I started and still going strong.

Ken"

Ken, and is that all you've needed? or have you added other tools?

I have added a knob cutter and a Pair of stainless Steel Trimming scissors since then
Also Large Bread knofe for reducing the rootball quickly and chopsticks.

Ken

If you are starting out, you will need a branch cutter (get a good Japanese one) and then ordinary secateurs, wire cutters (not pliers) scissors, breadknife, stick and so on. After that,if you find that you really need something, you can buy it. Getting a lot of things for not much money usually means that they're not much chop (sorry). Ray's kit sounds good basic value.

Gavin