Non Bonsai tools and stuff for Bonsai

Cajunrider said:
The knife is NOT for bonsai. I am fine with digging and cutting roots using just my RootSlayer XL. I am find with cutting branches on the trees I am collecting using my saw. However, when traveling in the wood I often encounter branches that I like to hack away. I've tried machetes but they are too long and wieldy for me. My Bushman is just too light to hack them away. I need a good chopper :)
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Ok got it . I have a short machete. Big knife thing . It’s shaped like a kurki I think there called from India . I use that the curved blade is good . Can’t show a pic it’s at the cottage . Mine was a promotional hung from a mechanic tool company . Cheaper than the pic just for reference
 

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Frozentreehugger said:
Ok got it . I have a short machete. Big knife thing . It’s shaped like a kurki I think there called from India . I use that the curved blade is good . Can’t show a pic it’s at the cottage . Mine was a promotional hung from a mechanic tool company . Cheaper than the pic just for reference
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LOL. I have a Kukri too. It's in my truck right next to my seat belt.
 
Cajunrider said:
LOL. I have a Kukri too. It's in my truck right next to my seat belt.
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And I though I was a redneck at least mines under the bed at the cottage . I don’t need it that much but I’m not . In th southern swamp I imagine you have more overgrowth. . Generally you can walk in the northern woods
 
I have found Concrete Mixing tubs to be super useful for anything soil/repotting related work.

1674078810114.png


I have 3 three sizes that nest and use them for grading soils when sifting, capturing repot soil to sift, I also repot directly in them on a work bench to catch soil. All in all they are great "work containment" containers which can also be great for immersive watering during the height of summer.


bonus: I usually use heating beds after repots and towards the end of repotting season I can put a germination mat in them, dump some pumice on and expand my healing in area without too much fuss.
1674078860728.png
 
Chop_n_Change said:
I have found Concrete Mixing tubs to be super useful for anything soil/repotting related work.

View attachment 469160


I have 3 three sizes that nest and use them for grading soils when sifting, capturing repot soil to sift, I also repot directly in them on a work bench to catch soil. All in all they are great "work containment" containers which can also be great for immersive watering during the height of summer.


bonus: I usually use heating beds after repots and towards the end of repotting season I can put a germination mat in them, dump some pumice on and expand my healing in area without too much fuss.
View attachment 469161
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I like those I use garbage cans for soil . I like the idea of rolling the can on its edge to mix soil . But I like your heated bed idea been thinking if that . For newly collected material . Can you explain what you use what pads . Do you have a separate thermostat .pro cons pitfalls
 
Maiden69 said:
Yes, that is a "design flaw" of all the Gerber MP series. They did fix it with their Center Drive units. The Center Drive and the Suspension have tighter tolerances, less "give" as you described. The "give" was part of the design when Fiskars (new owner of Gerber since the mid 80's applied for a military contract. The other tight tolerance tools tend to bind in dusty/sandy/muddy locations, which is why to this date Gerber has the contract with the military with the MP series tools. The suspension is a lower tier Gerber though... not my fav at all.
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Makes sense now that you mention it. I'm just afraid I'm going to bend it back on itself. Hasn't happened yet, though, so I don't know why.
Definitely good info for when I'm ready to look for another one. Thanks.
 
Frozentreehugger said:
I like those I use garbage cans for soil . I like the idea of rolling the can on its edge to mix soil . But I like your heated bed idea been thinking if that . For newly collected material . Can you explain what you use what pads . Do you have a separate thermostat .pro cons pitfalls
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I use seed Germination mats either in the tub or directly under it. I don't use a thermostat, they hold their temps at 70°F to 85°F (24℃ to 30℃) all my repots go under a cold shelter to keep the rain off them. the heat at the roots initiate growth below the soil, but the outside temps keep the tree slowed down enough not to push vegetative growth too early.

I keep my soil components in 5 gallon buckets by size, and mix specific for each tree being repot. i scoop in the ratios of each then mix by hand in the tub.

soil tub.jpg
 
Chop_n_Change said:
I use seed Germination mats either in the tub or directly under it. I don't use a thermostat, they hold their temps at 70°F to 85°F (24℃ to 30℃) all my repots go under a cold shelter to keep the rain off them. the heat at the roots initiate growth below the soil, but the outside temps keep the tree slowed down enough not to push vegetative growth too early.

I keep my soil components in 5 gallon buckets by size, and mix specific for each tree being repot. i scoop in the ratios of each then mix by hand in the tub.

View attachment 469243
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Like I said going to go with a similar heat pad set up .do you have a heat pad recommend .most I can find avail here are specific fir indoor use . Looking for the most robust . If I hav to order nigh as well have something proven . Ya same for soil .I normally have a basic 3 equal part mixed upon a large batch. Then adjust that for sone trees .but about 75 % go in that mix
 
Frozentreehugger said:
Like I said going to go with a similar heat pad set up .do you have a heat pad recommend .most I can find avail here are specific fir indoor use . Looking for the most robust . If I hav to order nigh as well have something proven . Ya same for soil .I normally have a basic 3 equal part mixed upon a large batch. Then adjust that for sone trees .but about 75 % go in that mix
Click to expand...
I have been using the germination mats (inked in my original post)in the 20 or 24"x48" size for 5+ years without issues or breakdowns. i have a few that are "solid" that are a lamination of (PVC, Insulation, heat, insulation, PVC) that i prefer over the sealed wires version that is just sealed around the edges, but both work well.

I don't pay attention to indoor vs outdoor, if it is for seed germination it has to be constructed as water proof either way. small investment, rolls up for easy storage, and doesn't require a wire you have to solder or configure with a temp probe. Trees don't know the difference, and they only stay on the mats for a few weeks at most. The small pads (10x20) are great for a single tree in an Anderson flat or box.
1674156354591.png
 
Ruddigger said:
I use these linoleum knives for repotting. 6 bucks at lowes.
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Linoleum / carpet cutter knives are awesome tools. They will slice through so much so easily. I often use them for repotting and for digging yamadori and yard plants.
I made the mistake of using it in place of a root rake once, though, and it thoroughly destroyed a lot of roots I wanted to keep.
But nothing is better at cutting away roots around the edge of a pot when a tree is rootbound and stuck in the pot.
 
Chop_n_Change said:
I have found Concrete Mixing tubs to be super useful for anything soil/repotting related work.

View attachment 469160


I have 3 three sizes that nest and use them for grading soils when sifting, capturing repot soil to sift, I also repot directly in them on a work bench to catch soil. All in all they are great "work containment" containers which can also be great for immersive watering during the height of summer.


bonus: I usually use heating beds after repots and towards the end of repotting season I can put a germination mat in them, dump some pumice on and expand my healing in area without too much fuss.
View attachment 469161
Click to expand...
This makes me think of my current favorite grow-out pot right now... I have a jbp in a oil change pan. It is maybe 18 ×6" So very inexpensive and roomy. 10/10. I would get more if i could find that exact one that i have.
 
michaelj said:
Linoleum / carpet cutter knives are awesome tools. They will slice through so much so easily. I often use them for repotting and for digging yamadori and yard plants.
I made the mistake of using it in place of a root rake once, though, and it thoroughly destroyed a lot of roots I wanted to keep.
But nothing is better at cutting away roots around the edge of a pot when a tree is rootbound and stuck in the pot.
Click to expand...
😂😂😂😂 Last time I was in a hospital emergency ward . ( waiting with my kid ) the guy waiting beside us . Was laying flooring and his work partner slipped with one of those knifes . And buried it to the handle in his left ass check .
 
If you want a dope hatchet:
Gransfors Bruk
Swedish
It’s “Game of Thrones” sharp, so watch yourself out there
 
 
Cajunrider said:
The best scoop for bonsai soil that also help you get rid of the fines.
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Not bad... but I love my stainless steel Kaneshin scoops with mesh. They also help placing the soil where you want it when repotting into small pots.
sumobonsaisupply.com

Soil Scoop - Mesh - 151A - Kaneshin - Sumo Bonsai Supply

A set of 3 Stainless Steel Soil Scoops. These 3 scoops have a mesh that allows dust to fall from the soil as you fill the pot.
sumobonsaisupply.com sumobonsaisupply.com
 
Maiden69 said:
Not bad... but I love my stainless steel Kaneshin scoops with mesh. They also help placing the soil where you want it when repotting into small pots.
sumobonsaisupply.com

Soil Scoop - Mesh - 151A - Kaneshin - Sumo Bonsai Supply

A set of 3 Stainless Steel Soil Scoops. These 3 scoops have a mesh that allows dust to fall from the soil as you fill the pot.
sumobonsaisupply.com sumobonsaisupply.com
Click to expand...
Undoubted yours work well. However we are talking about Non Bonsai stuff used for bonsai. Tee hee :)
 
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