Kiku vs Kiku Classic?

[Eric Group]

Can anyone explain the difference between "Kiku" and "Kiku Classic" tools? Other than price... Is the classic brand made of a lower grade steel or something? It costs about half as much it seems for what appear to be basically the same tools... Anyone have any knowledge or experience comparing the two? I am looking at Meco Bonsai specifically where I see them listed inseparate categories...
http://www.mecobonsai.com/m-2-kiku.aspx

 

[William N. Valavanis]

Kiku Classic tools are high quality made in China. They are GREAT for new students.

Bill

 

[Eric Group]

Kiku Classic tools are high quality made in China. They are GREAT for new students.

Bill

Thanks Bill!

I am trying to decide between a Kiku classic concave branch pruner and Kaneshin.. The Kiku is on sale, much better price and stainless vs the more expensive black steel Kaneshin...

I had heard great stuff about Kaneshin tools, and good stuff about Kiku as well, but if you are giving a strong recommendation for the Kiku classic as well... Then I see no need to pony up more for the Kaneshin tool (and probably more for shipping from across the world).

Thanks again!

 

[ColinFraser]

What about kiku light . . . or crystal kiku

 

[Eric Group]

What about kiku light . . . or crystal kiku

Diet Kiku?

 

[sorce]

Kiku in the butt for not buying Kaneshin!

If the stainless version is cheaper than KANESHINs black, you're going to have to sharpen the blade every snip!

Shipping ain't bad, and it's worth it for the Japanese newspaper!

Sorce

 

[Eric Group]

Kiku in the butt for not buying Kaneshin!

If the stainless version is cheaper than KANESHINs black, you're going to have to sharpen the blade every snip!

Shipping ain't bad, and it's worth it for the Japanese newspaper!

Sorce

It is regularly the same price- a bit more expensive actually (depending on the Yen conversion rate), was just on sale at the place I bought it. Normally about $70, on sale for $40 with free shipping too! Check the link my first post and click on "specials"!

Kaneshin look like good tools, but this is what my wife was buying me for Father's Day, I wasn't trying to break her bank.

Cost is not always associated with higher quality.

 

[Eric Group]

Got the branch cutter in today! Seems like a nice tool! Built better than the ones I had already. This one is the only stainless piece I own currently... I think it is PLATED with stainless over carbon thought, the inside of one blade has a few patches of black steel visible...

The blades meet well ( just slightly overlap and stop before hitting the stopper on the handles..) the thickness of the base of the blades and that ballooned rounded shape is what I was looking for... Much thicker and more solid feeling than my other knob and branch cutters... Not a real big tool though.. About the same size as my others. Should do what I want though, and you cannot beat that deal! $40 free shipping is a good price!

I also went to the Kaneshin site again to order the rest of what am need right now! A good wire cutter and a tiny branch saw! Excited to get them.. Even with shipping from Japan, total order was only like $79 on that one! I could easily spend much more than that just for a wire cutter on many sites- a much LOWER QUALITY tool at that... I think I am going to get the 5 branch cutter from Kaneshin eventually as well to get something large enough for a few trees i need to work on skin,

 

[Eric Group]

Got the Kaneshin wire cutters and small hand held saw in today! They actually came in Saturday, but they tried to deliver them while I wasn't here so I had to go pick them up at the post office.

I am AMAZED about a couple things here! 1- HOW IN THE WORLD did they get my tools here so fast? I ordered on Monday night I think... So they got them in the mail Tuesday at the EARLIEST.. And I had them here in columbia SC on Saturday? Doesn't seem possible.. Stuff coming from a couple states over can take longer than that.. Let alone THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD!?

2- the quality of these tools is far superior to anything else I have. I could tell it the first wire I cut. The saw is perfectly made, cuts fast and it is very flexible and small enough to fit into tight spaces... EXACTLY what I was looking for on both counts! Pretty excited about these...

 

[erb.75]

there is a little chinaman who lives under your stairs and makes bonsai tools...didn't you know?

 

[Eric Group]

there is a little chinaman who lives under your stairs and makes bonsai tools...didn't you know?

I wish- That would be great! Wait... Not a Chinaman... Chinese tools suck! I want a Japanese guy under my stairs.

One of the cool things about this shipment I got- the packing materials they used were pages from a Japanese Newspaper! Nothing but characters... The only thing I could read on the whole thing was numbers. The photos are much higher quality than the newspapers I have read too... Kind of interesting. My wife thought it was cool too but my 11 year old was less than fascinated.