Too good to be true?

Yes, TGTBT.

That said, there are some there you can still use even if some (or probably most) are junk...so not a total loss. ;) I won't touch it though.
 
Poink88 said:
The seller is...but I bet you the products are from China. ;)
Click to expand...

You are definitely right... than again most of these tools are imported...but if you have nothing to get the job done and dont feel like dropping 700-900 on high end stuff this is potentially a good buy...
 
CHUCHIN said:
but if you have nothing to get the job done and dont feel like dropping 700-900 on high end stuff this is potentially a good buy...
Click to expand...

I would usually agree with this, since I'm on a somewhat limited budget, but as a wood carver of sorts for several years I know it's better in the long run to buy one higher quality tool at a time than a bunch of cheap tools - maybe I just answered my own question, der de der...:rolleyes:

regardless, I was just interested in what everyone thought. Apart from scissors, shears, wire/concave/knob cutters (where blade sharpness and alignment are key) does it really matter if a root rake is 10 or 100$? Perhaps I'll get high-quality of the five tools I just listed above and go bargain on the rest since they "seem" like accessories rather than serious tools. [if I'm wrong on this point feel free to correct me]

With all the bonsai tool companies out there I wish someone would make a quality comparison chart to tool companies I know - like which company is on the level like that of Makita, or DeWalt, or Kobalt, or Powermatic or Ryobi for that matter.

Uggg... learning bonsai methodology and technique on my own is time consuming enough, I feel like I need a second degree in tool selection and metallurgy:confused:
 
brewmeister83 said:
I would usually agree with this, since I'm on a somewhat limited budget, but as a wood carver of sorts for several years I know it's better in the long run to buy one higher quality tool at a time than a bunch of cheap tools - maybe I just answered my own question, der de der...:rolleyes:

regardless, I was just interested in what everyone thought. Apart from scissors, shears, wire/concave/knob cutters (where blade sharpness and alignment are key) does it really matter if a root rake is 10 or 100$? Perhaps I'll get high-quality of the five tools I just listed above and go bargain on the rest since they "seem" like accessories rather than serious tools. [if I'm wrong on this point feel free to correct me]
Click to expand...

I think you got it figured already...no help needed from us. ;)
 
Poink88 said:
I think you got it figured already...no help needed from us. ;)
Click to expand...

Thanks Dario, being a stone's throw from the edge of nowhere you guys (and gals) here are my only bonsai sounding board - nearest bonsai club to me is 2-3 hrs drive, and I don't really have the gas money to be doing that every couple of weeks. It's just good to know that others think I'm on the right track when it comes to the basics.:)
 
IF I have to start over and buy an ideal set (for me within reasonable budget), this is what I will get.

- 8" Concave cutter (Good Japanese brand; Masakuni, Kaneshin, Joshua Roth, Kiku, etc. - at least mid-range model - about $75 retail & up)
- 8" Knob cutter (Good Japanese brand; Masakuni, Kaneshin, Joshua Roth, Kiku, etc. - at least mid-range model - about $75 retail & up)
- 8" Wire cutter - I have a cheap $17 Chinese one that I am happy with. Might change when I really start wiring seriously. I also bought a sturdier $34 Chinese SS that I am also very pleased with but hardly used yet.
- 8" Jin pliers (optional and Chinese will do)
- 8" Root cutter (optional-Japanese if you need/want it)
- ARS scissor (about $20)
- Root hook ($17 Chinese will do)
- Root rake (optional - $17 Chinese will do)
- Tweezer (optional - Chinese will do)
- Bonsai Saw (I love the $17 Japanese one from StoneLantern)
- Corona folding pruning saw (optional depending on size of your trees)
- Fiskars 3x lopper (optional depending on size of your trees)
- Dental picks
- Chopsticks - mixed bamboo and plastic
- Regular (household) long nose pliers
- Regular (household) pliers w/ wire cutter

***Bold are must for me.

This is after I amassed a hoard of bonsai tools and owned all the brands listed above.
BTW, I have a Yoshiaki and I will avoid that brand. It is not anywhere near the ones I listed above.

Note that this is for me and based on MY preference, style and budget but hope you find it helpful.
 
brewmeister83 said:
I would usually agree with this, since I'm on a somewhat limited budget, but as a wood carver of sorts for several years I know it's better in the long run to buy one higher quality tool at a time than a bunch of cheap tools - maybe I just answered my own question, der de der...:rolleyes:

regardless, I was just interested in what everyone thought. Apart from scissors, shears, wire/concave/knob cutters (where blade sharpness and alignment are key) does it really matter if a root rake is 10 or 100$? Perhaps I'll get high-quality of the five tools I just listed above and go bargain on the rest since they "seem" like accessories rather than serious tools. [if I'm wrong on this point feel free to correct me]

With all the bonsai tool companies out there I wish someone would make a quality comparison chart to tool companies I know - like which company is on the level like that of Makita, or DeWalt, or Kobalt, or Powermatic or Ryobi for that matter.

Uggg... learning bonsai methodology and technique on my own is time consuming enough, I feel like I need a second degree in tool selection and metallurgy:confused:
Click to expand...

This was the advice I followed. Get a cheap set of tools. Much like the one you linked. Then, each year, buy one expensive tool until you have your set complete.

Just another strategy if budget is a concern.
 
berobinson82 said:
This was the advice I followed. Get a cheap set of tools. Much like the one you linked. Then, each year, buy one expensive tool until you have your set complete.

Just another strategy if budget is a concern.
Click to expand...
One way to go but the way I see it...I can almost buy my must haves above w/o the knob cutter with this cost. I will go that route instead and just add the knob cutter later.
 
Well, I think I know the direction I'm going in, but had one more question. (hope this doesn't open a can of worms...)

Here goes:

I know that I'm going to go with carbon over stainless after doing a bit of research, but after looking at Joshua Roth's site and others I was confused with the grading scale. Is there really that much of a difference between beginner, novice, intermediate, professional and master's grade?

And if there is, wouldn't I just want to get masters grade since it's a superior tool and expertly made so it would last me for years and years instead of a cheaper grade that doesn't work [cut/sharpen/stay aligned] as well? :confused:

Or is there a secret bonsai "test" where I have to pluck and style a juniper while fending off three attackers blindfolded in the middle of the desert to prove I've earned the rank of "master tool user" ??? :rolleyes:
 
I will go with black steel. Intermediate grade is the best value IMHO. Surely Professional and Master grade are better but mostly they are cosmetic (i.e. better finish, extra coating, etc.).

On Masakuni I've heard they use different steel and process but look at the price jump on those. :eek:
 
 
Poink88 said:
On Masakuni I've heard they use different steel and process but look at the price jump on those. :eek:
Click to expand...

Yeah... just looked up the price of a pair of 6" shears on Dallas Bonsai Garden. Sorry, I don't care if it was blessed by a Shinto priest or not, there's no way I can justify $500+ for scissors. I'll stick with the $40-80 price range thank you...
 
brewmeister83 said:
Yeah... just looked up the price of a pair of 6" shears on Dallas Bonsai Garden. Sorry, I don't care if it was blessed by a Shinto priest or not, there's no way I can justify $500+ for scissors. I'll stick with the $40-80 price range thank you...
Click to expand...

Yep...that is my range too.

If you tinker...maybe hunt for a deal like this...
http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?13894-Another-concave-cutter-via-eBay
 
sikadelic said:
What makes you lean towards Carbon? I planned on going with SS myself just for the durability of the finish.
Click to expand...

Read a bunch of posts on this forum and some tool reviews online.

General consensus was that modern stainless (although being a lot better than it was years ago) still cant take or hold an edge quite like high carbon tools.

So in my mind the pros/cons for each are:

SS - less/no rust maintenance, but more sharpening/not as keen an edge
HC - slightly more maintenance to prevent rust, but a better almost surgical cutting edge which lasts

And since I'm used to oiling and maintaining high carbon tools for wood carving anyway, I decided to go with function over form.
 
sikadelic said:
What makes you lean towards Carbon? I planned on going with SS myself just for the durability of the finish.
Click to expand...

Stainless has a tendency to shatter if accidentally droped on a hard surface like cement or concrete. Stainless is also very difficult to sharpen without diamond stones. Stainless does not make a big difference in how well it works or not. A good set of carbon-steel tools that look well cared for speak louder to your skiill and diligence than stainless which is expected to look clean.
 
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