Roshi Tools

[GrimLore]

I find that all tools discolor and sometimes rust a bit so carbon or stainless seems to make little or no difference to me(but that is me). Honest I use saws and hand tools on most of my stuff most often anyways. For the cutters when used I just wash them down and dry them and coat them quick with spray canola oil for cooking(same stuff I use on the Grill Grate) If my Gun Cleaning tool box is not handy. I hand sharpen cutters using the same stones I use for the Hunting, Fishing, and Kitchen Knives. I am certain a few cutters I have are pretty expensive as my Wife purchased them for me but honest I never pay much attention to the brand(s).

Grimmy

 

[Poink88]

... I never pay much attention to the brand(s).

I do. There is a reason why they are known and having certain reputation. Some cheap items are plain junk and in a way could be the most expensive since you will end up throwing them or replacing them later.

I am not hang up on brand but hunt for best value. Under rated (or new) brands could offer that since they could be cheaper. Sometimes, the most expensive is the only way to go. Thankfully that is not the case with bonsai tools.

 

[GrimLore]

I agree with you Dario. I was just fortunate to get what I have gifted to me. I am curious now of the branding but I have no clue where they may be right now. Our house is mostly in boxes and will be for some time. Good news is we get the keys to the new place Friday and the contractors and I can start the renovations.

Grimmy

 

[GrimLore]

I do. There is a reason why they are known and having certain reputation. Some cheap items are plain junk and in a way could be the most expensive since you will end up throwing them or replacing them later.

I am not hang up on brand but hunt for best value. Under rated (or new) brands could offer that since they could be cheaper. Sometimes, the most expensive is the only way to go. Thankfully that is not the case with bonsai tools.

I am packing today and had to locate the boxes to pack some more pots I found today. The 8 piece tool set is Joshua Roth stainless and the other set is carbon and appears lower quality(weight) made by Stanford - lots of tools though and seems I have a lot more wear on them. I just grab off the top but in the Spring I will play with the Roth tools.

Grimmy

 

[flor1]

Thank you guys for your input thus far.

But before this thread derails into another pissing match, does anybody have any experience with Roshi Tools specifically?

Tried some while taking a class that were available personally didn't like them but that's me.
I have one pair of stainless scissors that I'd give away just don't care for the feel of them and hard to get and keep a good edge on them.

 

[Kane_]

I bought a pair of Ryuga spherical cutters about 6 months ago and can say they do not hold an edge like my carbon steel tools do. There are many types of stainless steels available, I would say that knives being tested are using a different SS then whats used for bonsai tools.

I thought the Ryuga were carbon steel when I bought them, but I realize now they are stainless painted black. They feel and act differently to my carbon steel tools, I must say, I don't instinctively reach for them anymore when I want to cut a branch.

I've had the tips of tools break off on scissors and branch cutters when dropped onto concrete floors. Most I've been able to grind down to repair, though on one pair the blade bent out of shape. Never had a pair shatter, but I think it's possible if they are left in a car in a North American winter storm and then dropped.

Personally, I wouldn't recommend any stainless tool for cutting. My experience with bonsai tools is you get what you pay for. You have to weigh the cost against how much work they are doing.

Paul

Hi Paul, I appreciate this particular thread is very old, however… I’m just about to buy my first bonsai tools and had almost settled on the carbon steel Ryugas until I saw your comment. Is that correct, that they are not carbon steel and are just painted black to look so?

Kane

 

[Katie0317]

I bought SS Kaneshin concave cutters and every time I use them am glad I did.

When I first started bonsai (not that long ago) a bonsai nursery 'sold me' carbon steel wire cutters. I can't stand them because it's harder to see with a thin delicate wired brown branch, black wire and a brown wire cutter. I use reading glasses but if they were silver it would be much easier. Same with scissors, pliers and all tools. They're easier to see and I live in extreme high humidity. Plants love it but it's very hard on carbon steel.

 

[penumbra]

Stainless was developed for submarine use during WWII by the addition of chromium to fine steel.
The early SS knives were crap and maybe that is true of pruners as well, but knives were being made of SS for decades before any company started making SS pruners. Early on there were issue with Blades, as that is what we are talking about in either case. One was brittleness, another was edge holding and ease of resharpening. Hundreds of SS formulas have been used to date and these early problems don't mean much today. None of my pruners are SS only because it has always been more available in carbon steel. I do have SS bonsai wire cutters and they are excellent. Aesthetically speaking, I prefer carbon steel both in my bonsai and in my kitchen. It is a little easier to sharpen.
Shattering bonsai pruners of stainless steel? I think its an urban legend like alligators in the sewers of NYC.

 

[Katie0317]

Penumbra, which brand of ss wire cutters do you have? Interesting history. I have a lot of very good carbon steel knives that I really enjoy using. I can keep them nice and sharp! I don't like using a black tool is a big part of my issue...along with the humidity.

I don't know about NYC alligators but they're everywhere in Florida! One lady has applied to keep hers as an emotional support animal. I doubt the judge granted it but it lives with her in her trailer with a plastic pool.

 

[roberthu]

Those two reasons are why I havent pulled the trigger on them in the past. But this set breaks down to about $40 or so per tool, so that is issue is mitigated.

What ARE the benefits of stainless, other than the shinyness?

The biggest benefit to me is they don't rust. My personal experience is I use the tools only in certain seasons. This leads to several months not using certain tools every year and with carbon steel, it was quite common for me to open the tool box and notice rust. Now I still have some old carbon steel tools but I clean them after every use and oil them before storing them for long periods.
With stainless steel, I don't really worry to much about it. I just wipe them clean after use and put them away. And I haven't had any stainless steel breaking on me in 10 years. I haven't broken any carbon steel neither but again, they rust...