Part of the fun of visiting large bonsai exhibits is shopping in the vendor area. Sometimes there are hundreds of shiny, new tools for sale. After taking a good look at each, I usually tell myself – or try to anyway – that I have enough for the time being. And sometimes that works.
The reality is that I rarely use more than a handful of tools when I’m working on my trees. (I’ll cover repotting tools in a future post.) My short list of essential bonsai tools includes scissors, wire cutters, pliers, branch cutters, and tweezers.
Basic bonsai tools
Scissors made for bonsai are great for detail work and they fit well in the hand. I can’t think of a workshop during which I failed to reach for my scissors.
Bonsai scissors
Wiring bonsai typically requires wire cutters and pliers. Wire cutters come in a variety of sizes, some made for large wires, others for small wires. Pliers too come in a variety of styles. Just about any can work well for bonsai, including the hardware store variety.
Wire cutters
Pliers
Branch cutters come in many styles. Of the cutters pictured below, I get the most use out of the third pair from the left.
Branch cutters
Different styles of branch cutters
Tweezers are a must have for working with black or red pines. I use tweezers for other varieties as well, but not as often as I do for pines.
Tweezers
You may have noticed the blue stripes on my tools. Anyone who has lost a tool at a workshop knows why. The easier it is to identify your tools, the easier it is to keep track of them.
Electrical tape – simple ID system for tools
I find it hard to write about bonsai tools without mentioning little brooms and chopsticks. Chopsticks are the most versatile tools I carry around with me. Little brooms are fun and help out a lot during repotting season.
Little brooms
Chopsticks
Although I have a fair selection of bonsai tools, I’m not a very good tool snob. Scissors need to be sharp, not expensive; pliers – effective, not pretty. And if I’m not sure that I need a new tool, I don’t hesitate to do some research before buying. I talk to teachers, vendors, and friends who have used the tools. I ask about sizes and styles and brands and any other criteria about which I’m not too sure. I check what’s available, and occasionally my budget, and then make the purchase. I also try to keep the following idea in mind – the less I spend on tools, the more I can spend on trees!
There are plenty of other tools I could have mentioned from chisels to grafting knifes to leaf cutters – are there others you find to be “essential”?
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Marty says
When asked by new members for the most important tools I list brain, fingers, chopstick, and tweezers/bent tip forceps first. I then suggest a pair of bypass style pruners, needle nose pliers, and diagonal cutters. A pair of florist scissors and finally a pair of concave cutters. 9 tools with 1 specific to bonsai to get them started. Once they really engage in the hobby they can add the bonsai versions that do a slightly better job.
I have several pairs of florist scissors around that are cheap, nice and sharp, and have plastic coated handles so I use them for a lot of coarse pruning. Overall I like your list and agree with you about the ones I use most (except for the brooms – I guess I am just not that tidy).
Jonas Dupuich says
Thanks Marty – I think that’s a great approach. Start out with general tools that do the job and move up to the specialized tools in good time.
btw, I don’t use the broom much either – just thought it would be fun to mention.
Best,
Jonas
Steve Moore says
The single tool I use (and value) most is a pair of needle-nosed shears from Masakuni; they’re originally made as floral shears, but they work wonderfully for bonsai!
I got my pair 20 years ago at the ABS ’92 Symposium, mainly on the advice of Bruce Baker.
Ravz689 says
Thanks for this post! It really helped me with my selection for my first tools! I look forward to reading more.