Tool Time!

The Columbus Bonsai Society's January session about tools and toolcare got me thinking about these important accessories to bonsai work. The Club’s beginner’s course coming up in April always features a unit on tools, and in preparing for that class and thinking about what was discussed at the January meeting, I was prompted  to do a little online shopping.

Posting the photo makes no endorsement for the tools, but look
at the shiny, stainless steel goodness! And that box is awesome all
on it's own, But is the whole thing worth $350? Not in my world.

Though it was enjoyable to window shop, I certainly DON’T need new tools. The basic set I started with some 25 years ago is still highly useful. Though it was a modestly priced student grade set that I got as a Christmas gift from my parents, they still work just like they should, even if they have not been sharpened in all that time! Keep your tools clean and well lubricated and they will pretty much last for ever. Even though I wasn’t going to buy anything, it was interesting to see the shiny new items available and perhaps try to talk myself into some stainless steel at long last.

One thing that might keep me from making that jump to stainless is price.  The axiom of getting what you pay for is certainly true of tools, and well made, high grade tools are very pricey.  I’ve always suspected that bonsai tools, since they are aimed at a limited market are a bit more pricey anyway, but even so, good craftsmanship and technical skill have a price. For someone who is ready and willing to make that commitment to their hobby, there are many options for purchase. After teaching a beginners class more than 10 years ago, I put together a newsletter article about how it was pretty easy and practical to put together a useful tool kit at a big box retail store, specifically using items that were not meant for bonsai but that could work just as well as specialized, imported from Japan items. I still stand by that basic idea, even though it was generated at a time, before the internet, when sourcing specialized bonsai items was harder to do.

The computer revolution has touched every facet of modern life, and bonsai is no exception.  Bonsai supplies are seemingly every where, in every electronic bazaar.  Single tools and sets of every size are available in all price points. Some seem like good value, others are snake oil.  It’s obviously harder to know, since buying online or by-mail means not being able to pick up and handle an item.  Low prices have a certain charm, but a shear or cutter that does not have a smooth action or will not hold an edge really isn’t a bargain.

Support your local vendor or retailer when you can!

Buying local, and buying general purpose items, rather than specialty products can be cost effective in a smart way however. The new bonsai student, who is not sure their interest will grow and hold, may be hesitant to invest a great deal until they are more certain of their enduring interest. I used to recommend that new bonsai hobbyists looking for tools keep an eye on Ebay, so that when someone who decided bonsai was not for them was selling off their tools, it would be possible to jump on a bargain. I guess that strategy might still work, but now what I see on Ebay are lots and lots and LOTS of listings for brand new tools, and finding tools that are value priced and worth the money requires some care. So to that just starting out student I recommend buying a few things that are not bonsai specific but will do the job.

For about $25 or so a novice bonsai hobbyist can get a serviceable set of 'substitute' tools that will take them through most projects and give them some experience.  I count that basic tool set as a scissor of some sort, a wire cutter and a concave cutter analog. That last item was one that I thought was both indispensable for bonsai, and impossible to replace with a 'regular' item, but I've changed my mind about that. Read on...

• Scissors or shears. I break them up into two types-the old fashioned, all-metal traditional sort, and the more modern metal with plastic handles variety.  It's easy to find the Made in China old time looking iron scissors very cheaply, though they look better than they work. Scissors made for the kitchen and marketed to Asian chefs look alot like bonsai scissors, and there are many other sources for good quality shears. I usually recommend the Fiskar's Microtip trimmer, available at any hardware store and many other retail outlets for around $10.00. Well made, and price friendly, it doesn't look like scissors but works very well and will last for ever. Stone Lantern, the online seller, has plastic handled Japanese shears for around $8.

These are flush cutters, made for wire
and other metal-they can cut bonsai wood
just as well.

Harbor Frieght flush cutters
in action on a willow leaf ficus.

• Wire cutters. There are several tools that will work for snipping bonsai size wire. You may lose out on the charm of a purpose made Japanese tool, but the cost savings cant be beat.  Harbour Frieght has some for$1.79!

• Concave cutter. Check the health and beauty section-a cuticle trimmer will work for small size branches (they are far cheaper than a mame/shohin cutter). Also, check the hardware store for a flush cutter. 

• Pliers. Not a necessity but a pair of pliers can be very useful, Purpose built Jin pliers have a small throat capacity to limit taking too big a bite and long handles for leverage. Western style pliers will need a bit more restraint while in use, but will do the job. 

• Tool box. Depending where you look, you'll find tool boxes, tackle boxes, sewing organizers and scrap book supply holders. in metal, wood, plastic and cloth.  Before shopping, it might be worth looking around the house to see what is being underutilized. And any smoke shop can supply, for free, the ideal caddy for a few tools-the ever useful cigar box!