Cultivating a bonsai tree is a most beautiful and rewarding hobby. However, bonsai art needs patience, skill, and the right bonsai tools for success.
The tools specifically designed for bonsai art help you to shape, prune and care for your bonsai tree. Also, the bonsai tools ensure that your tree grows healthy and beautiful. However, with so many different tools available on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the best one.
Hence, in this article, I have put together essential bonsai tools that you need to get started. Once you invest in a high-quality bonsai tool set, you will elevate your bonsai practice and grow a healthy bonsai tree.
Essential Tools for bonsai success
The following are the essential tools for bonsai success:
- Bamboo chopsticks
- Pruning shears
- Concave branch cutter
- Knob cutter
- Root hook
- Root rake
- Wire cutter
- Training wires
- Sharp scissors
- Jin pliers
- Jin carving tools
- Bonsai keyhole saw
- Grafting knife
- Tree branch bender
- Tweezers
Now, let us understand each tool in detail,
Bamboo Chopsticks
Chopsticks are a great tool for gently removing old soil from your tree roots when repotting it.
Moreover, beginners often make the mistake of over-watering or under-watering their bonsai trees. Because the method for watering bonsai is different from that of houseplants.
However, you can use a chopstick as a moisture meter. Insert the chopstick into the soil. Check the chopstick every couple of hours when it’s very warm outside (less when it’s cold). It’s time to water when the portion of the chopstick below the soil surface becomes dry. Also, keep your soil moist at all times.
Pruning Shears
Bonsai shears are essential when it comes to pruning your trees. Moreover, among beginners, they’re the must-have bonsai tool.
You can choose from a few different types of shears:
Materials: Carbon Steel vs. Stainless Steel
Most shears are made from carbon or stainless steel.
The carbon material is less expensive, but has a greater tendency to rust, while the stainless steel material is corrosion-resistant. The blade of the carbon steel tools appears silver, but the rest of the tool is dark, black. Also, it is common for stainless steel tools to be fully silver.
As a beginner, you should start with something inexpensive, such as carbon steel. Eventually, you may want to upgrade to a professional stainless shear, but some professionals continue to use carbon shears.
Shape: “Butterfly” vs. “Slim”
A butterfly shear vs. a slim shear are two general types of shears.
The handles on butterfly bonsai shears are big and looped. They have a very close handle to the blade. I love how these feel in my hand, and I use them all the time to prune the outside canopy of my trees.
However, if you try trimming an inside branch with these shears, you’ll find it hard to reach inside the tree (since your hand has to go in between the branches). Furthermore, you can also trim roots with butterfly shears.
Slim shears are good for trimming inside branches. Compared to butterfly shears, slim shears put your hand further away from the blade. As they have smaller handles and longer body, they can reach deeper into the tree.
However, both will work. But, in my opinion, the “slim” versions are better for beginners.
Concave Branch Cutters
With a concave branch cutter, the branch will be cut at the base, so the wound will heal quicker. When you remove the branch with these cutters, you’ll see a slight indentation. Moreover, scarring happens when the tree heals.
Concave cutters are another way to get rid of tree knobs without damaging them.
Lastly, the concave shape provides more strength than straight cutters. You’ll be able to cut thicker branches than you would with shears.
Knob cutter
Adding a knob cutter to your bonsai tool kit is also a great idea. Knob cutters have two halves of a sphere shaped blades, which can bite into wood aggressively. By using the knob cutter you can remove a lot of wood quickly while still shaping your final surface cut.
Root hook
You’ll need a good root hook when you’re ready to transplant your bonsai. You can also use it to aerate compact soil.
Root Rake
You can use a root rake to aerate and weed around bonsai roots, as well as remove soil around them. Also, symmetrical spatulas help tamp soil around bonsai bases or free up soil at the edge of pots when transplanting bonsai.
Wire cutter
While training your bonsai, stay away from hardware store wire cutters because they can damage the trunk or limb. Moreover, the best wire cutters for bonsai are specially designed with rounded heads and jaws that cut wire symmetrically.
Training wire
You use training wire to change the shape or direction of your tree. After the wire is wrapped, the trunk or branch is gently bent.
Sharp scissors
During the potting process, you’ll need scissors to trim the roots. Each time you repot, root pruning encourages a compact and fine root system.
Jin pliers
Basically, a jin is a stripped branch. Using Jin pliers, you can easily remove a branch’s outer layer (the cambium layer) and leave a bare branch behind. You can also use this technique on the trunk to remove the bark.
Jin carving tools
An alternative to pliers is a scraping tool that resembles a vegetable peeler for removing the cambium layer of a tree. There are different shapes of jin carving tools, and you can use them instead or in addition to jin pliers.
Bonsai keyhole saw
If you’re removing particularly tough branches or roots, a tiny bonsai keyhole saw will do the trick. With sharp teeth, you can slice through stubborn taproots in no time.
Grafting knife
There are times when you need to fuse two trees together. It’s possible to do this with several techniques, but you can do it best with a grafting knife. In addition, you can use the grafting knife for any situation that requires a sharp knife.
Tree branch bender
The purpose of this tool is to shape various parts of your bonsai tree. Those with vinyl coatings are the best.
Tweezers
The moment you need to remove something tiny, like a pine needle or some stray debris, you’ll need tweezers. Almost every beginner kit comes with tweezers.
How to buy the best bonsai tool set
There are different kinds of bonsai tools, so make sure you check them out before you buy. Considering these three things might help you choose your bonsai tools.
Tool Inclusions
A bonsai tools set should include tools that are helpful for your purposes. Depending on what you need, weigh the pros and cons of each set carefully.
Materials
Basic tools are mostly judged by the materials they’re made from. In general, bonsai tools are most often made from stainless or carbon steel. If you are choosing between two similar sets, your preference in materials might make a difference.
Skill Level
Before upgrading your toolset, upgrade your bonsai gardening skills. When it comes to bonsai trees for beginners, buying tools above your skill level can cause more harm than good if you don’t know how to use them correctly.
Bonsai tools advice from the experts
The following tips will help you have a smooth bonsai journey:
It’s all about moisture
Your bonsai tree’s moisture level is the first thing you need to monitor. When the soil is too dry, start soaking it with water until it drains. Just make sure the soil is dry before you water them. It’s worse to drown them!
Keep pruning
Maintaining your bonsai is best done through pruning. You can maintain the appearance of the tree by removing overgrown and dying leaves. It is also beneficial to remove unwanted branches from the trunk of the bonsai.
Keep Your Tools Clean
Make sure your tools are maintained as often as your bonsai. Always sterilize your tools before cutting them into your tree, and clean them thoroughly afterward. You might want to put some oil on your tools if they get stiff.
Best Bonsai tool set
1. Voilamart 14 Piece Bonsai Tools Kit with Case
This Complete 14PCS Bonsai Tools Set is not only practical but also beautiful, making it an ideal gift for the bonsai lover in your life. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, this set is sure to elevate your bonsai experience to the next level.
The set includes a Leaf Trimmer, Bud Shear, Cutting Scissor, Concave Cutter, Knob Cutter, Wire Cutter, Root Cutter, Jin Pliers, Trunk Splitter, Root Hook, Rake with Spatula, Branch Bender, Hemp Broom, and Wire, all of which are expertly designed for precise and refined pruning of the leaves, branches, twigs, roots, and buds.
2. SEBIDER Bonsai Tree Kit Bonsai Tools Set
With 1 x Bonsai Scissors, 1 x Long Scissors, 1 x Pruning Shear, 1 x Mini Wide Shovel, 1 x Mini Shovel, 1 x Mini Rake, 4 x Bonsai Wires, 2 x Leaf Cutters, 2 x Tweezers, 1 x bucket shovel, and 1 x Organizer Bag, you’ll have everything you need to care for your bonsai trees.
The carbon steel Bonsai Scissors and Long Scissors are perfect for pruning, shaping, and quick cutting, while the Pruning Shears are ideal for cutting stems and light branches up to 3/4″ in diameter.
The high-quality carbon steel construction ensures they are stronger, sharper, and more durable than other materials, and wiping them clean and lightly oiling them after each use will ensure they last a lifetime.
The Bonsai Training Wire comes in 2 different diameters and is flexible and strong enough to shape your bonsai tree without breaking. The leather Organizer Bag is stylish and upscale, providing a convenient way to store and transport your tools without losing them.
The 16-in-1 Garden hand tool set is perfect for loosening soil, cutting, trimming, pruning, and more. It’s an ideal gift for gardening lovers, whether they’re beginners or professionals, and is designed specifically for bonsai and succulent enthusiasts, as well as for indoor gardening and other small plants.
3. MOSFiATA Bonsai Tools Set
This bonsai set is perfect for hairless plants, pruning, shaping, and other quick-cutting needs. Plus, they’re versatile enough to be used for crafts, fabrics, and paper.
The heavy-duty stainless steel pruning shears feature the latest shrapnel structure, saving your time and effort while providing precise trimming to shape flowers and small plants.
The 12-piece bonsai tool set comes with a high-quality leather storage bag, preventing tool loss and making it an ideal gift for bonsai lovers. This set meets all your gardening needs, including loosening soil, cutting, trimming, pruning, and more.
The set also includes 22 yards of training wire in four different colors and diameters (5.5 yards each). Made of aluminum alloy with oxidized treatment, the bonsai wire is flexible and strong enough to bend and twist many times without breaking. Plus, it’s rust-free and has no bad chemical smells, keeping you and your plants healthy. With this set, you’ll be able to maintain your bonsai and other plants with ease and precision.
Conclusion
A delicate art like bonsai requires essential tools for success. So, if you are a beginner, start with essential tools such as pruning shears, a root hook, and a chopstick for removing soil. As you gain experience, you can add more specialized tools to your kit. Tools such as a concave branch cutter, grafting knives, jin pliers, etc.
However, while selecting a bonsai tool set, consider the tool material, shape, and pros and cons of each tool. Once you have the right tools at your disposal, you can ensure the health and beauty of your bonsai tree.
So, begin your bonsai journey today by getting the best bonsai tool set.
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