Bonsai Tools

Types of Bonsai Tools

A friend of mine was the one who introduced me to the world of bonsai and I was hooked almost immediately. It was an amazing art to be able to grow trees in containers. I was still in the learning phase when I found myself facing the dilemma that many a beginner faces during his introduction to Bonzai. What kind of Bonsai tools to purchase? Which are the most required tools? Should I opt for stainless steel ones or should I opt for carbon made tools? All these are extremely important questions because you certainly want to start off with minimum investment. Once you gain the necessary expertise you can always proceed further and make bigger purchases. So I started my research on bonsai tools for beginners and found that there are three to four very basic tools that will allow you to learn the tricks of the trade.

The basic set of tools

• The first and the most essential tool that I would recommend is a pair of scissors. Once again there is a huge variety to choose from. Some companies that specialize in bonsai supplies have as many as 7 different grades for their scissors. The highest quality ones are completely hand made while the lower grades are machine made. The ideal scissor should be sharp and used only for Bonsai work. You can choose one depending on your budget and the scissor quality.
• The next most recommended tool is a shaping knife that has a concave edge. This is because concave wounds are easier to cut off and they also heal faster than normal wounds. These wounds also harden better and you would have to conduct an extremely minute examination to detect that a wound was made.
• Wires of different strengths are a great addition to any Bonsai kit. Although, they do serve their purpose, working with wires is slightly tricky. Anodized copper wires are the best bet as they bend easily and hold their position on the bark of the tree.
• Now that you are working with wires, you need a wire cutter. You can cut off the wire till the bark without causing any injury to the tree. Bonsai pots are also a necessary set of equipment.

Lastly, there is a continual debate over the effectiveness of stainless steel bonzai tools over carbon ones. Stainless steel is durable but expensive. You can always start off with carbon tools as a beginner.

Related Links: 

Brussel's 8" Concave Branch Cutter Bonsai Tool

Ashcroft Gardens 5-Piece Bonsai Tool Set with Canvas Roll-Up Bag