Non Bonsai tools and stuff for Bonsai

[Frozentreehugger]

This is a Hori-hori knife the origin is Japan this is a great tool . Especially for collecting digging trees from the wild. The blade is sharpened on one side and serrated on the other . It is very shallow dish shape . Great for digging cutting roots . Can be used to slide along a rock or pocket to delicately lift a root ball . Everyone should have one to collect . That being said Covid changed the world if I wanted one today I would have to import it into Canada . Shipping would easily double the price . I have seen a lot of simple imitations and or tools that do the same job . A survival knife with more aeration added to the back . A long serrated bread knife with the back sharpened The same bread knife with a pruning blade welded to the back . A digging trowel with the edge sharpened . Don’t get me wrong the knife is great if I break mine ( I’m pretty abusive with it in rocks ) I’ll replace it . But only if I can ship other products with it all kinds of available knifes can be easily modified

 

[Calnicky]

One of these back savers: 4 ft. White Granite Resin Adjustable Height Commercial Folding Table. Goes to counter height so you can stand while working on a tree. I mostly use it for repotting, but sometimes for styling too. Then it folds up small for storage in the shed.

Lifetime 4 ft. White Granite Resin Adjustable Height Commercial Folding Table 80160 - The Home Depot

Provide a perfect solution for outdoor camping by selecting this Lifetime White Granite Adjustable Folding Table. Resistant to stain.

www.homedepot.com

 

[PonderingSage:]

The barebones hori-hori, is decent, and has a full tang which l think is essential. And I like it’s aesthetic.
There are plenty of other hori-hori on the market with full tangs as well, as some without.

 

[Frozentreehugger]

Reminded today posting on other threads one of the primary reasons I started this thread . Since Covid the cost of international shipping is insane . Example the nice bonsai book my daughter gave me for a Xmas present . Could be shipped anywhere in the USA for 9 $ the cost to get it 45 miles across the border was twice the price of the book . This unfortunate situation is why this thread . I purchase copper wire for ground wire in houses and anneal it myself . All my deadwood carving tools sourced in the woodcarving market here . After all it’s a larger market . Than bonsai carving and the bonsai tools are sourced there . Specialist bonsai tools are great . Especially trimming shears . Knob cutters. Concave cutters . And yes I have them from bonsai supply companies . But there are options . For normal garden work shears . Quality scissors are easily sourced . For multiple other hobbies . The exact heavy duty wire cutters sold very prominent bonsai nursery in the USA . Are not made for bonsai mine are 15 years old . My favourite saw to use in the ground for collecting . Is a handle that accepts reciprocal construction saw disposable blades . One handle and multiple different blades are very small and compact to carry . Easy to get . I don’t use Japanese dirt . I am one of the people that believe the finest wild bonsai materiel in the world . Is in North America . And none of it is growing in Japanese dirt . It dont perform well if it freezes . So it’s useless to me . Before you comment on this . You better sit down to see the price here . 2 to 3 times what it is in the USA . The nearest volcano to me is in another country and 1/2 a continent away . I don’t use volcanic soils . Not that I think what I use is better but availability ( pumice recently is available in small quantities sold as winter sidewalk environmentally friendly traction grit ) Lava used to be used in BBQs is the answer you’ll get trying to find it here . I’m trying to source sone Anderson flats . But without a Canadian supplier most likely will make wooden boxes or modify something else . I am wondering if do I have to learn pottery . Not that I want to looks more addictive than bonsai . but I would like some larger quality pots . Any body have ideas . To end this rant there has to be others in similar conditions . It’s not that I am cheap it’s about how best to spend the money you spend . On bonsai .

 

[Damart81]

This is a Hori-hori knife the origin is Japan this is a great tool . Especially for collecting digging trees from the wild. The blade is sharpened on one side and serrated on the other . It is very shallow dish shape . Great for digging cutting roots . Can be used to slide along a rock or pocket to delicately lift a root ball . Everyone should have one to collect . That being said Covid changed the world if I wanted one today I would have to import it into Canada . Shipping would easily double the price . I have seen a lot of simple imitations and or tools that do the same job . A survival knife with more aeration added to the back . A long serrated bread knife with the back sharpened The same bread knife with a pruning blade welded to the back . A digging trowel with the edge sharpened . Don’t get me wrong the knife is great if I break mine ( I’m pretty abusive with it in rocks ) I’ll replace it . But only if I can ship other products with it all kinds of available knifes can be easily modified

These look great, thanks for posting this, recently collected a bald cypress yamadori and these would have come in handy.

 

[Frozentreehugger]

These look great, thanks for posting this, recently collected a bald cypress yamadori and these would have come in handy.

I would have to check . But I believe stone lantern has them . There are multiple higher quality Japanese ones avail . Sone almost to nice to use . Of the basic one in the pic there is a carbon steel one and a stainless one . I have the stainless a friend has the carbon steel . Get the stainless if you can it’s stronger . His flexes sometimes I’ve abused the crap out of mine prying rocks it’s tough

 

[Kanorin]

Black and decker work branch great tool
. It’s 2 main abilities are great for bonsai . Portable . Take it to the garden and work in the sunshine . It’s vise like clamp ability . To securely hold trees or stuff at different angles . I primarily use mine as a base . For several table tops I gave created . For example I have a Shallow/
Rubber/ plastic tray with a piece of wood screwed lengthwise under the Center clamped in the bench it’s a repotting bench . A similar plywood top with a turntable attached .is a great option . I added a garage sale bar stool and I have a easy to store work station right in the garden amongst your trees

I'm guessing that this could be great for repotting because it looks like you could put the tree upside down between those wooden planks and suspend it to work on the bottom of the rootball. If that's the case, I'm sold.

 

[JackHammer]

I feel like I use a lot of non bonsai stuff.

Romex for wire - depends on the job.
Microwave tray as a turn table
Surgical tools for stainless steel leaf cutters
Dental picks
Bottle brushes
Drywall saw - serrated and very stiff.
I also get a lot of dishes from goodwill and use a diamond hole cutter to make holes. The bit set is maybe only 10 bucks. Pretty much any unused dish at my place becomes a bonsai pot, including an old crock pot insert.
I get lunch trays from goodwill and use them as humidity trays
Goodwill also has lots of patio furniture for plant stands
Cat litter for clay
Old plastic woven place mats for drainage hole covers
I use bulb terocotta pots sometimes because they are wide and shallow.
I am sure there is more...

 

[Frozentreehugger]

I'm guessing that this could be great for repotting because it looks like you could put the tree upside down between those wooden planks and suspend it to work on the bottom of the rootball. If that's the case, I'm sold.

It’s versatile has pre drilled holes so you could just bolt a piece of wood to each side . Have them extend our . Then you could crank them apart or together . I like the portability go to the trees . And have several add on . Like a big tray with wood screwed to the bottom secure in the ckamo now it’s a repot table .

 

[Ruddigger]

I use these linoleum knives for repotting. 6 bucks at lowes.

 

[Damart81]

One of these back savers: 4 ft. White Granite Resin Adjustable Height Commercial Folding Table. Goes to counter height so you can stand while working on a tree. I mostly use it for repotting, but sometimes for styling too. Then it folds up small for storage in the shed.

Lifetime 4 ft. White Granite Resin Adjustable Height Commercial Folding Table 80160 - The Home Depot

Provide a perfect solution for outdoor camping by selecting this Lifetime White Granite Adjustable Folding Table. Resistant to stain.

www.homedepot.com

Been looking at turn tables but this seems like a good option to consider as well.

 

[Damart81]

I would have to check . But I believe stone lantern has them . There are multiple higher quality Japanese ones avail . Sone almost to nice to use . Of the basic one in the pic there is a carbon steel one and a stainless one . I have the stainless a friend has the carbon steel . Get the stainless if you can it’s stronger . His flexes sometimes I’ve abused the crap out of mine prying rocks it’s tough

I am sold, will check it out.

 

[Frozentreehugger]

I would j

These look great, thanks for posting this, recently collected a bald cypress yamadori and these would have come in handy

View attachment 468444

I use these linoleum knives for repotting. 6 bucks at lowes.

Great idea pick one up next time I’m in

 

[Frozentreehugger]

Been looking at turn tables but this seems like a good option to consider as well.

Turntables I’ve made several . This is second round of bonsai . Had a bunch permanent on a bench . Forget the source but flat plastic bearing . Normally used in a lazy Susan under a sink . Hardware store . But they gum up with dirt . Best simple on is salvaged from broken office chair . Knock the casters off throw the seat out bolt a piece of wood in its place . Not hard to
Source

 

[JackHammer]

Turntables I’ve made several . This is second round of bonsai . Had a bunch permanent on a bench . Forget the source but flat plastic bearing . Normally used in a lazy Susan under a sink . Hardware store . But they gum up with dirt . Best simple on is salvaged from broken office chair . Knock the casters off throw the seat out bolt a piece of wood in its place . Not hard to
Source

And the height would be adjustable!

 

[bonsaiDerek]

here is my turntable

SNUDDA Lazy Susan, rubberwood, 15" - IKEA

SNUDDA Lazy Susan, rubberwood, 15" Put a spin on everyday life with this round wooden tray. Give it a twirl to get closer to your favorites. Comfortable and practical – and an easy way to upgrade the kitchen or dining area. Turning function in base makes it easier to serve from.

www.ikea.com

 

[JackHammer]

Duct seal can be used as cut paste. It is maybe 5 bucks for a pound.

 

[Frozentreehugger]

Duct seal can be used as cut paste. It is maybe 5 bucks for a pound.

Yep lots have used it . In fact we often forget many many bonsai stuff was originally repurposed . From other uses . I read somewhere . The first used cut paste in Japan . Was a tar based product that was repurposed . Construction water proof sealant that was used like duct sealant . There seems an elite idea . Amongst some that only stuff specific for bonsai is suitable . For use in bonsai . Tools are exactly that tools to help create a desired end result . Wire at one time was almost considered cheating . So the elite idea is not new . Another example is the now common round drum bonsai pot . Got there start as repurposing the lid from a common ceramic shipping container for other goods .

 

[Frozentreehugger]

Planning a winter project to build some bonsai tables . I use tables that are portable to chase the sun around my yard . Reminded me although I have not used it since restarting bonsai . A great product is common strips of double sided Velcro . Multiple uses . I find the 1 inch wide strips the best . It has tremendous holding power Example glue a strip to the edge of your grow bench . Glue a the corresponding . Strip to bottom of training pots . This allows you to secure too heavy trees . Or cascades very close the the edge . With the fear of them falling removed . It also allows easy repositioning . Even quality bonsai pots . Just slide a strip under the wire that runs between the drain holes . Can secure a pot to a vertical flat surface . A wedge of wood . With Velcro secures a cascade in training so the cascade is up . Just unstick it to water the pot . Easy to source in sewing. Stores . Don’t trust the double sticky tape sided stuff to secure it . Use contact cement . Remove all fear of pots falling and ugly wires and string to secure them to the bench . Forget about the wind

 

[ShadyStump]

Duct seal can be used as cut paste. It is maybe 5 bucks for a pound.

I've been using plumber's putty. Not great. Falls off too soon, but does the job enough to prevent infection and bleeding out. (Am I still talking about trees?)

Planning a winter project to build some bonsai tables . I use tables that are portable to chase the sun around my yard . Reminded me although I have not used it since restarting bonsai . A great product is common strips of double sided Velcro . Multiple uses . I find the 1 inch wide strips the best . It has tremendous holding power Example glue a strip to the edge of your grow bench . Glue a the corresponding . Strip to bottom of training pots . This allows you to secure too heavy trees . Or cascades very close the the edge . With the fear of them falling removed . It also allows easy repositioning . Even quality bonsai pots . Just slide a strip under the wire that runs between the drain holes . Can secure a pot to a vertical flat surface . A wedge of wood . With Velcro secures a cascade in training so the cascade is up . Just unstick it to water the pot . Easy to source in sewing. Stores . Don’t trust the double sticky tape sided stuff to secure it . Use contact cement . Remove all fear of pots falling and ugly wires and string to secure them to the bench . Forget about the wind

THIS I need to look into. I imagine your Velcro can get pretty dusty and stop holding after a point, though.