Marco Invernizzi's new tool - "Ichiban"

[greerhw]

I have spent several days watching him use the tool, he rarely uses anything else, side cutters for large branches is about all. I have watched him use it probably more than anyone else, it's like part of his body, working with conventional tools is like removing a nut from a bolt with a pair of plyers, when you have a ratchet and socket, my two cents. But then again I'm biased.

keep it green,
Harry

 

[Attila Soos]

Sounds great, Harry. I can't wait for mine to arrive, in a few days.

BTW, I spend over $150 yesterday on a family breakfast for Mother's day.
It's a breakfast!
For a little more than double, I have a tool for a liftime. What is the fuss all about?

Nobody really argues that Ichiban does not do the job that it is designed for. Based on the users' reaction, it does the job very well. The dispute is about the price.

A lot of people easily spend $100 - $200 on a Friday night out, with no remorse. So, the question becomes, which is of higher priority: the Friday night out, or buying such a tool. I don't disagree with those who prefer the Friday night club hopping. It is their life.

For me, bonsai takes precedence, so I gladly give up a couple of those nights.

 

[greerhw]

Sounds great, Harry. I can't wait for mine to arrive, in a few days.

BTW, I spend over $150 yesterday on a family breakfast for Mother's day.
It's a breakfast!
For a little more than double, I have a tool for a liftime. What is the fuss all about?

Nobody really argues that Ichiban does not do the job that it is designed for. Based on the users' reaction, it does the job very well. The dispute is about the price.

A lot of people easily spend $100 - $200 on a Friday night out, with no remorse. So, the question becomes, which is of higher priority: the Friday night out, or buying such a tool. I don't disagree with those who prefer the Friday night club hopping. It is their life.

For me, bonsai takes precedence, so I gladly give up a couple of those nights.

I'm sure you won't be disappointed, let us know what you think after you have had a chance to use it.

keep it green,
Harry

 

[Zenshi]

Nobody really argues that Ichiban does not do the job that it is designed for. Based on the users' reaction, it does the job very well. The dispute is about the price.

The dispute is not about price, it's about value. There is a difference.

 

[Attila Soos]

The dispute is not about price, it's about value. There is a difference.

That's right. Or more precisely, the relationship between the price and the value.

It is all about value. Everything you pay for, has to have as much value to you as the money you pay. Sometimes the value to you is much more, so you think that you got a bargain. Or if you are rich, then money to you has little value, and you buy almost anything that you remotely need. Other times, the perceived value to you is less, so you think that you have been ripped off.

The point I was making, do you think that the value that you receive for $350 is worth 2 nights out. To me, the value is much higher than the two nights, so I opt for buying it. For others, the two nights out are more valuable, so due to the limited funds, they rather spend the money on the entertainment.

It is important to consider the limited nature of funds, for each individual. To some, the $350 is small change, so the price is less relevant. For others, the $350 is significant, so they have to prioritize and decide on what is more important.

 

[Smoke]

Wow, this is almost like listening to the "Mr. Obvious" show on Bob and Tom in the morning.

 

[Shima]

Here's what Peter Warren has to say about it...
http://saruyama-bonsai.blogspot.com/

 

[Victrinia Ridgeway]

Being a good bit more of a Marco "fan-girl" than I was when we first visited this product... I have to wonder with amusement if Peter paid for his Ichiban or not?

Knowing that it's not uncommon to send out freebies for endorsement, I am not bothered by that approach in the least... but of all the masters or near masters that have espoused its virtues on his website - or whereever... how many of them actually bought it retail and then gave that endorsement?

Those are the folks who's input most folks would really value. If there aren't any... then Marco needs to find the most qualified bonsai folks who have purchased it and get their post purchase evaluation. That's the kind of data I find most useful anyway.

This isn't a challenge by any stretch... just a question.

Yours in curiosity,

Victrinia

 

[Marco Invernizzi]

To all,
I'm sure we all had a strong passion for something in our lifetime. What we have in common is the passion for bonsai but we may like other things. Someone likes cars, or art of sports... you name it.

Me and Harry Greer really like cars. We talk a lot about it. I prefer the design of it. He likes the engine, the performace. I can name the model of a Ferrari just by looking at one detail of the body. I can tell you the year it was made, the max speed and all sort of info.

I love the work of Jackson Pollock. I can name a painting just by look at a part of it and for the ones who know what kind of painting Jackson Pollock made, you may understand that for the majority of the people they look pretty much alike one to another. Every time I go to NYC I go to the Moma and I pay a visit to the Pollocks there. Every time.

I love Ferrari and I'm very proud of them. I love Pollock. I have passion for it. I'm driven to discover anything I can about what I have passion for. I like to know things. I like to know how things are done. I DONT'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT HOW MUCH A FERRARI OR A POLLOCK COST. I REALLY DON'T.

When I fell in love with a girl I didn't ask myself: " how much she is gonna cost me?" i just followed my heart.

Now let me ask you something.....
How many times in both ICHIBAN threads on bonsainut people have been talking about the price?

How many times someone asked me how ICHIBAN works? why I designed in that way? how can a bonsaist really benefit from it and why I tried to solve my lower back problem by creating a tool that now can help many other with the same suffering?

If you don't have the money to buy it too bad. I don't have the money to buy lots of things like a ferrari or a pollock but I always try to understand them.
Yes my testimonials did receive ICHIBAN as a present, but I'm sure that Michael Jordan payed for all his NIKEs, or DiCaprio all his watches, George Clooney for all his Nespresso, Kimura for all the Kinbon and so on. Come Vicky, you are smarter than that. Or maybe not.

I'm driven by passion and so I'm driven away from this bonsai blog once for all. I wish you all the best.
Goodbye
marco invernizzi

 

[Victrinia Ridgeway]

Yes my testimonials did receive ICHIBAN as a present, but I'm sure that Michael Jordan payed for all his NIKEs, or DiCaprio all his watches, George Clooney for all his Nespresso, Kimura for all the Kinbon and so on. Come Vicky, you are smarter than that. Or maybe not.

Marco...

I asked a simple question which was not intended to incite or irritate in the least... I am sorry if something was mistaken in translation, but please don't mistake my intention. I even acknowledged that there's nothing wrong with the practice of giving away product for endorsement.

I actually don't have a problem with the price of the Ichiban... One of my camera lenses costs 5 times your tool... so I understand the notion of quality, and paying for it.

I also made a suggestion that would be helpful. That you should indeed find the exceptional bonsai folk who have bought it and get their assessment post purchase.

I'm sorry if you read anything negative into my comment... that was not my purpose. Though I can understand how easy it would be to do, given the flow of conversation in the past. Though I will say... you once asked me to trust you... so I am asking you to trust me.

I'm not offended by your comment in any way, just concerned that you mistook me. I mean come on... I said I was a good bit more of a Marco "fan-girl" than I was before... what more can I offer... it was compliment.

Most sincerely,

Victrinia

 

[Attila Soos]

Wow, this is almost like listening to the "Mr. Obvious" show on Bob and Tom in the morning.

You are right. I tried to be as painfully obvious as possible, to make a point.

 

[ianb]

Being a good bit more of a Marco "fan-girl" than I was when we first visited this product... I have to wonder with amusement if Peter paid for his Ichiban or not?

Knowing that it's not uncommon to send out freebies for endorsement, I am not bothered by that approach in the least... but of all the masters or near masters that have espoused its virtues on his website - or whereever... how many of them actually bought it retail and then gave that endorsement?

Those are the folks who's input most folks would really value. If there aren't any... then Marco needs to find the most qualified bonsai folks who have purchased it and get their post purchase evaluation. That's the kind of data I find most useful anyway.

This isn't a challenge by any stretch... just a question.

Yours in curiosity,

Victrinia

So if Daniel were to receive one free and give it a ringing endorsement would this mean any less to you than if he had paid for it? Just a question (dammit where is the evil grin smiley)

 

[Victrinia Ridgeway]

So if Daniel were to receive one free and give it a ringing endorsement would this mean any less to you than if he had paid for it? Just a question (dammit where is the evil grin smiley)

Well of course not... But then again, I can guarentee you I would have used it enough to give it my own. lol

It's all relative when you have simple reputations without deep familiarity. (ie... however famous, I don't actually know most of his endorsers)

However, even without that, I'm intimately familiar with what Daniel would say... mostly because he's a simple kind of guy when it comes to these things. (You should hear the grief I get when I use my Yoshiaki shears... )

I am also the kind of person to make sure I endorse something I believe in... so I give my opinions... solicited or not. lol

I think I'll ask for an Ichiban for my birthday... it'll drive my hubby batty... lol Then I can comment on it, unsolicited or not.

V

 

[greerhw]

Wow, this is almost like listening to the "Mr. Obvious" show on Bob and Tom in the morning.

I was thinking more like Sponge Bob Square Pant's, but I'm just a simple redneck.

keep it green,
Harry

 

[Juniperus Californica]

Hey Victrinia,

Thanks for chasing Marco off the blog, nice work! And that goes for the rest of you Chuckle Heads that don't seem to understand that Marco has put a lot of time, energy, money & passion into the Iciban. It's real easy to snipe at his work, but this is a guy who pays the bills doing bonsai and he has a lot riding on the success of this product. The bonsai community is very small and I believe that we need to support people like Marco who have so much talent and are using that talent to innovate and take bonsai to the next level.

Let's make this thing a winner so maybe the guy does Ichiban II, publishes a book or does a DVD so maybe we can all learn a thing or two. OK Chowder Heads feel free to respond to this message, I'll be waiting for your snide remarks.

JC

 

[irene_b]

Hey Victrinia,

Thanks for chasing Marco off the blog, nice work! And that goes for the rest of you Chuckle Heads that don't seem to understand that Marco has put a lot of time, energy, money & passion into the Iciban. It's real easy to snipe at his work, but this is a guy who pays the bills doing bonsai and he has a lot riding on the success of this product. The bonsai community is very small and I believe that we need to support people like Marco who have so much talent and are using that talent to innovate and take bonsai to the next level.

Let's make this thing a winner so maybe the guy does Ichiban II, publishes a book or does a DVD so maybe we can all learn a thing or two. OK Chowder Heads feel free to respond to this message, I'll be waiting for your snide remarks.

JC

Thank You!!!

 

[Victrinia Ridgeway]

JC,

Considering I've been working very hard to change the tone and have an open-minded discussion, I'm not sure how I am worthy of being mocked-blamed-insulted by you... but hey... you are free to say what you think to be true... even as I do.

I will say, for my part, that I am not "responsible" for his decision to depart. That was a personal decision he made. I expressed concern for how he took my last comment. If you read it with a negative voice, I can not help that... I was very clear in my response, that I was not speaking in that voice.

I too wish him well.

Kindest regards,

Victrinia

 

[ianb]

Ms Vic,

I must admit I also read your previous question as being rather insulting, not just to Marco but to anyone who endorsed Ichiban without paying for it. That's what prompted my previous question.

I have no opinion on the tool whatsoever as I haven't tried it out as yet or even seen it. Maybe I will someday but as someone who does a fair bit of cooking and likes the best steel/knives $350 is nothing for good steel http://www.japanesechefsknife.com/KDSeries.html and you might notice they are sold out with a 6month to 1 year waiting list.

 

[mcpesq817]

Hey Victrinia,

Thanks for chasing Marco off the blog, nice work! And that goes for the rest of you Chuckle Heads that don't seem to understand that Marco has put a lot of time, energy, money & passion into the Iciban. It's real easy to snipe at his work, but this is a guy who pays the bills doing bonsai and he has a lot riding on the success of this product. The bonsai community is very small and I believe that we need to support people like Marco who have so much talent and are using that talent to innovate and take bonsai to the next level.

Let's make this thing a winner so maybe the guy does Ichiban II, publishes a book or does a DVD so maybe we can all learn a thing or two. OK Chowder Heads feel free to respond to this message, I'll be waiting for your snide remarks.

JC

In Victrinia's defense, as far as I can recall, Marco's posts on this board only related to promoting his Ichiban and calling people NBWs, not necessarily contributing in other aspects.

 

[Attila Soos]

Well, Marco was successfully chased off the board.

But let's not try to chase Victrinia as well. It would be unfair.

Instead, those who are interested in using Ichiban, this is not a bad time to send Marco an e-mail and place an order. How about you, Ms Vic.....?(ok, I'll pay for shipping - seriously ).