LOL Miss Vic (as the late Mr Behr would say)
I have the Joshua Roth intermediate kit. I have used them all with the exception of their leaf trimmer. The kit came with a root rake that I do not use on roots but use to scar the soil surface as required, I guess I could use a fork
I do like the end of the rake which I use to depot my trees.
To that kit I have added: a set of sieves, an absolute necessity; a knob cutter which I like the way it hollows a wound. I use it even if I'll create a uro later. I just like the way it defines the wound; a small concave cutter which I absolutely adore for getting into tight spots; a set of very pointed shears for same reason (long reach), although I do use my fiskars for that job quite often; root pruners; spherical cutters which was a Bday present that I absolutely adore; trunk splitters same Bday; (hey what do you buy a man that has nearly everything
); a set of nose hair scissors (Shoppers Drug Mart) for pruning the delicate foliage of my Hinokis, they do a fabulous job. The only stainless tool I own; a set of mechanical advantage loppers; and this year I have a large pair of concave cutters coming along with a large bender/squeezer (got bigger trees, with bigger branches) I was pretty close to the limit, no I am at the limit with my intermediate set.
A collection of chopsticks for root work, I like to feel the tensional flex of the chopstick when untangling roots. I made my own root pick years ago, single prong for the really stubborn ones. For some who are reading, once our trees grow in a good bonsai substrate and trees are repotted at recommended intervals, untangling roots becomes easier with subsequent repottings.
A dremel and die grinder.
Edit: From the woodwork shop.
Why do I use bonsai tools? Well, as Brian stated above I like the angle of attack of the tool on any given bonsai. I also have a small set of side cutters (read mini) for 1 and 1.5mm wire. I also have a few Japanese woodworking tools for the workshop, why? Once again their functionality in comparison with the functionality of "normal" tools, makes the task easier.
Mis Vic you will also be pleased to learn that I have a set of carving hooks coming. The noise of the dremel drowns out my Japanese tunes which I play when working on my trees
I like to loose myself in my surroundings when working on my trees.
This may seem like extravagance but it is not, those who know me think I am quite frugal, always finding ways to find more than one use from something. If the proper tool for the proper job is used, regardless of the application, included but not limited to bonsai, work becomes effortless.
Some folks hate mowing their lawn and buy a ride-on, I look at it as a walk around the yard, or the glass is half full. The only time I hate mowing my lawn is after a period of rain (read more than 3 days, as the lawn requires mowing every three days) because the rain normally interfered with the mowing schedule and hence what is/was on my agenda.
