Hello,
What is the list of tools that are necessary for a beginner? I have a Serissa and planning to get this Spring a Juniper and Trident Maple ( trees that I can keep outside all year in Toronto).
I prefer to buy good quality things that cost a bit more, but there is no need to change them every season. So where do I start? Is Bonsai Network Japan (http://www.j-bonsai.com/index.html) a good place to order? Or may be there is a place in Toronto?
Any comments and suggestions are appreciated.
Thank you,
Olga
(Toronto, Ontario zone 6)




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----- Original Message -----
,
What is the list of tools that are necessary for a beginner? I have a
Serissa and planning to get this Spring a Juniper and Trident Maple ( trees
that I can keep outside all year in Toronto).
I prefer to buy good quality things that cost a bit more, but there is no
need to change them every season. So where do I start? Is Bonsai Network
Japan (http://www.j-bonsai.com/index.html) a good place to order? Or may be
there is a place in Toronto?

The basic tools are shears, concave cutter, root hook, wire cutter,
tweezers, and chopstick.

I have had excellent experience with Bonsai Network Japan, but shipping
costs may make it cheaper to buy locally, if you have a smaller order. I'm
sure that there are good places in Toronto and that your fellow citizens
will fill you in on those.

Regards,

Bart

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The basic tools are shears, concave cutter, root hook, wire
cutter,
tweezers, and chopstick.

Don't buy a root hook. If you know someone with horses ask them
to GIVE you a hoof pick; or buy one at a tack shop; strong
plastic ones cost $1.00 or so -- a bonsai root hook will
(absurdly) cost $10-$25. If you don't have access to horse
stuff, take an old crocheting hook, bend the tip and use that; or
an old dentist's pick. Or an old dinner fork, and bend it into
shape, or use the chopstick. The free or very low cost
alternatives to a BONSAI root hook are endless.

I've never in my 30 years of bonsaiing used a tweezers for
ANYTHING. Fingers (or a pair of chopsticks??) work great - both
are free.

You can get expensively caught up in the mystique of bonsai
tools. There are a few that are absolutely necessary. The rest
are frosting -- expensive frosting.

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - Our life is
frittered away by detail . . . . Simplify! Simplify. -- Henry
David Thoreau - Walden

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Jim: You're missing the point! ;-) A lot of us are tool junkies and love the
excuse to get another specialized tool!
Alan Walker, Lake Charles, LA, USA
http://LCBSBonsai.org http://bonsai-bci.com
================================
The basic tools are shears, concave cutter, root hook, wire cutter, tweezers, and
chopstick.
===
Don't buy a root hook. If you know someone with horses ask them
to GIVE you a hoof pick; or buy one at a tack shop; strong
plastic ones cost $1.00 or so -- a bonsai root hook will
(absurdly) cost $10-$25. If you don't have access to horse
stuff, take an old crocheting hook, bend the tip and use that; or
an old dentist's pick. Or an old dinner fork, and bend it into
shape, or use the chopstick. The free or very low cost
alternatives to a BONSAI root hook are endless.

I've never in my 30 years of bonsaiing used a tweezers for
ANYTHING. Fingers (or a pair of chopsticks??) work great - both
are free.

You can get expensively caught up in the mystique of bonsai
tools. There are a few that are absolutely necessary. The rest
are frosting -- expensive frosting.
Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL

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----- Original Message -----
From: "Alan Walker"
Subject: [IBC] Tools question


Jim: You're missing the point! ;-) A lot of us are tool junkies and love
the
excuse to get another specialized tool!
Alan

My frind and old business partner is , by far, a bigger "tool Junkie" than
me with many unused tools in his box.
When I went to Japan two years ago I asked him what he wanted me to bring
him back.
His answer...." A tool I can't buy here".
It took a while but I found a couple.
Dale

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When I first started I went out and purchased all the tools I saw even
though I didn't need them at the time. A root hook was one of those tools.
The only time I use it now is when I loosen up the soil around the rim of a
container to remove a plant. I still prefer the chopsticks I bought over the
root hook and they only cost a nickel.

--I crucified my hate and
held the world within my hands--
Neal Ross-Marysville CA


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I still prefer the chopsticks I bought over the root hook and
they only cost a nickel.


You was had! They should be free -- along with a nice Japanese
(or if you must, Chinese) meal. ;-)

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - "People,
when Columbus discovered this country, it was plum full of nuts
and berries. And I'm right here to tell you the berries are just
about all gone." -- Uncle Dave Macon, old-time musician

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I'm all for inexpensive alternatives but, I find that my tweezers come in very handy. Especially when working on smaller stuff with my big hands.

Just my .02 cents worth.

Jim Harris
SE Michigan, Zone 5b


Jim Lewis 2/21/03 10:49:37 AM

I've never in my 30 years of bonsaiing used a tweezers for
ANYTHING. Fingers (or a pair of chopsticks??) work great - both
are free.

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - Our life is
frittered away by detail . . . . Simplify! Simplify. -- Henry
David Thoreau - Walden




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In a message dated 2/21/2003 10:05:16 AM Eastern Standard Time, writes:

I still prefer the chopsticks I bought over the
root hook and they only cost a nickel.

Neal:

The chopstick is one of the most versatile tools in the universe.

In the case of bonsai:

1. Root pad work/repotting activity
2. Removal of decayed wood
3. Water measurement
4. Branch and trunk separation
5. Surface root refinement
6. Insect removal
7. Sushi consumption );-)

Cordially,

Michael Persiano
members.aol.com/iasnob/index.html

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In a message dated 2/21/2003 1:23:53 PM Eastern Standard Time, writes:

Michael: Hopefully not in that order! ;-)
This reminds me of one of John Naka's stories about using the paper to wrap your meal and
to blow your nose. It makes a big difference in what order
you accomplish these tasks.

);-)) At least, for most of us. );-)))

Cordially,

Michael

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"I've never in my 30 years of bonsaiing used a tweezers for
ANYTHING. "
I use my bonsai tool tweezers constantly in spring. They are absolulely
terrific for pulling small weeds root and all without disturbing the soil
too much.
Carol Widger
Spring in NoCA

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I'm all for inexpensive alternatives but, I find that my tweezers
come in very handy. Especially when working on smaller stuff with
my big hands.

=================

That's what pointed chopsticks are for.

Maybe, but I'm not good enough with chopsticks to pluck the new growth from
my maples as they begin opening in spring, and my fingers only work well a
portion of the time. Tweezers easily separate the new unfolding leaves
allowing me to pinch the next set with ease. But I didn't spend an arm and
a leg on the because they were 'bonsai' tweezers, I just picked up some that
were lying around the house. :-) I find many uses for them.

Regards,
Shelly Hurd Central CA - Sunset Zone 8-USDA Zone 9

Jim: You're missing the point! ;-) A lot of us are tool
junkies and love the
excuse to get another specialized tool!
Alan Walker, Lake Charles, LA, USA
http://LCBSBonsai.org http://bonsai-bci.com

Mebbyso, but I'd rather take then $$$ I save on tools and buy a
nice pot. Generally, my trees don't seem to mind that I use a
$1.00 "root hook" but they seem to enjoy being in a nice pot.
;-)

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - "People,
when Columbus discovered this country, it was plum full of nuts
and berries. And I'm right here to tell you the berries are just
about all gone." -- Uncle Dave Macon, old-time musician

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From: Neal Ross
I still prefer the chopsticks I bought over the
root hook and they only cost a nickel.


Neal! I guess your not a Chinese or Japanese food lover! They give them to you with the meal. To top it off they are actully pretty nice to use too. I rarely use the silverware when eating Chinese food or Sushi!

Len


PLEASE NOTE MY NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS:

http://www.bonsairi.com
http://www.rhodeislandbonsaisociety.org

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Hello, Olga!

Dallas Bonsai Garden has very good tools at quite reasonable prices. I have
several tools from their catalog. Their stainless steel tools are
excellent. They require little maintenance and retain a very sharp edge.

Plus, they have a nice, large, user-friendly site.

I would suggest a pair of concave cutters, medium- to heavy-duty shears and
a pair of blunt-nosed wired cutters. Other things will present their
usefulness as time goes by.

Click Here...
www.dallasbonsai.com

Good luck!

Bill
----
Bill Sikes

The Bonsai Shop & Nursery
South West Georgia, USDA Zone 8 Sunset Zone 28

----- Original Message -----
From: "Oljuska"
To:
Sent: Friday, February 21, 2003 9:26 AM
Subject: [IBC] Tools question


Hello,
What is the list of tools that are necessary for a beginner? I have a
Serissa and planning to get this Spring a Juniper and Trident Maple ( trees
that I can keep outside all year in Toronto).
I prefer to buy good quality things that cost a bit more, but there is no
need to change them every season. So where do I start? Is Bonsai Network
Japan (http://www.j-bonsai.com/index.html) a good place to order? Or may be
there is a place in Toronto?
Any comments and suggestions are appreciated.
Thank you,
Olga
(Toronto, Ontario zone 6)

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++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++
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