Are you a beginner Bonsai artist? Are you searching for the tools for your starter Bonsai tool kit? Do you know how a beginner tool kit differs from the professional one? Are you curious to know what tools and accessories are crucial for a professional Bonsai toolkit? In this post, you will find a list of Bonsai tools explained – you will learn all about Bonsai tools and supplies, including beginner and advanced tools for Bonsai, what they are for, and how and when to use them.
The most commonly used Bonsai tools are pruners, branch cutters, root cutters, wire cutters, pliers, and Bonsai scissors. The specialist Bonsai tools include a pruning saw, tweezers, brush, mesh, grafting knives, scalpel, and rotary power carving tool.
Whether you’re a mechanic or a gardener, specific tools certainly help to make your job easy. Similarly, the art of shaping a Bonsai is not only a hobby, but also an interesting job. It requires pruning, pinching, and repotting with the help of specialized Bonsai tools. Not all the tools are necessary for making a Bonsai. You can also start with a few basic tools.
Keep on reading if you want to learn all about Bonsai tools. If you are a beginner, you can always start with a basic toolkit, and then upgrade as you gain more experience and want to try new styles etc.
Basic Bonsai tools and their purpose – explained
No doubt, you can get better results by using specialist Bonsai tools. Preferably, you should start shaping with basic tools, then purchase the specialized tools one by one according to your needs.
A complete list and detailed usage of all the Bonsai tools and accessories are mentioned below. This list will help you in the identification of the Bonsai tools and how/when to use them.
Tool Type 1: Cutting Tools
Let’s learn about the essential cutting and maintenance instruments in a Bonsai toolkit and their usage.
Bonsai Scissors
There are 2 types of scissors for Bonsai.
- Sturdy Scissors are long-handled and easy to grip. These are used for cutting thick and fibrous roots.
- Small pruning scissors like these ones have large handles, ideal to trim finer twigs and smaller branches. You can cut the shoots, fine roots and tiny branches more forcefully due to the perfect holding place of these scissors. Make sure to use only sharp scissors for neat cuts. Alternatively, you can use a sharp surgical scissors.
Root cutters
The next cuttings tools for Bonsai are root cutters. Those are an advanced form of branch cutters and both look almost similar. It is used for cutting hard soil-covered roots while repotting. Plus, it can be used as a concave branch cutter.
Leaf pruners
Those are also known as “pruning shears for buds and leaves.” The leaf pruner has a very sharp blade and pointed tips. It is ideal for pruning dense foliage, such as in Maple trees. Besides, it is also used for cutting twigs, shoots, and leaf stalks.
Pruning shears
These are also known as “secateurs” (in British English) and “hand pruners” in American English. These are required for pruning thick branches with dense foliage. Cutting around the corners of thick branches is hard using “Anvil or bypass type secateurs”. So, avoid using them. Use shears that have small jaws and neat cutters.
You must take care of the following points while using these shears.
- Avoid holding handles of pruners sideways while pruning.
- Also, don’t try to bend or twist pruners while pruning, as it may damage the branch and blades.
Wire Cutters
Aluminum and copper wires are used for shaping and training Bonsai. Wire cutters or scissors are used to cut these wires. Wire scissors are also used to cut the wires of smaller tasks. These small scissors are handy for trimming the wire ends while wiring secondary branches.
Normally, 2 types of wire cutters are used. So, select a cutter according to the size of the wire.
- General wire cutter is used for cutting aluminum wires. It is ideal to cut the wire even in tight spots.
- A heavy-duty wire cutter is used for cutting copper wires. It is also used for cutting the wire of thicker gauges.
Branch Cutters
Normally, 3 types of branch cutters are available. Branch cutters in general are for cutting thinner pencil thickness branches, mostly on deciduous trees and thinner conifers.
- Concave branch cutters have a curved cutting edge. They are used to trim branch stubs on the trunk, closer to the trunk. Also, can be used for peeling wood that needs to be removed.
- A flat branch cutter has a flat edge. It has the same function as that of pruners. It is used to neatly cut branches that are closer to the trunk. An example would be a cutter like this.
- A hybrid branch cutter performs the function of both concave and flat cutter. But they can be a bit difficult to use. However, you can get used to them with some practice!
Bonsai Saw
It is a pruning saw specifically made for Bonsai. Bonsai pruning saw has a thin blade and fine teeth. It is used for making more delicate and precise cuts in branches as it works on the pull stroke. While cutting, move the saw towards you, instead of pushing it outwards. It gives you more control, thus prevents shredding of the delicate bark during cutting.
Pliers
These are used for bending and tying wires while transplanting a tree. The pliers that are used for peeling back the bark in the “jin” making process of Bonsai are known as “Jin pliers.” The underlying dead wood dries as a result of this bark stripping.
Tool Type 2: Maintenance Tools for Bonsai
The shaping and training procedure of Bonsai requires maintenance tools. All of these tools are explained in detail below.
Brushes – soft and wire brush
A coconut/fern fiber brush like this is used for removing any debris from the soil surface. It is also used for cleaning the rotating table.
A wire brush has soft brass filaments. It is used for:
- Removing algae deposits from the surface of pots. (Lubricate the brush with water before removing the hard deposits of algae).
- Cleaning the trunk, bark, branches, and deadwood areas of the tree.
Wound sealant
A wound sealant is a paste with antibacterial and anti-fungal agents. It is used to fill the cut wounds on a Bonsai tree to prevent infections and diseases.
Wires
Two types of wires are used for shaping a Bonsai tree. The thickness of wires ranges from 0.3 to 8 mm. Generally, the wire should be ⅓ of the thickness of the branch to be wired.
- Anodized aluminum wire like this is mostly used in shaping deciduous Bonsai. This wire is highly flexible and easy to use. In general, all beginners should start working with anodized aluminum wire first, before trying to work with copper wire. Moreover, it is less noticeable on branches, so is more aesthetically pleasing. You can get anodized aluminum wire in different thickness like this.
- Annealed copper is ideal for use on thick branches such as conifers. It is harder as compared to aluminum wire and keeps the branches efficiently in place.
You can find a full tutorial on wiring Bonsai and which wires to use here (new tab).
Watering can
It is one of the simplest, but essential accessories used for Bonsai care. A watering can with a long nozzle and a smaller hose is ideal for watering Bonsai tree and getting water around the corners of a pot.
Spray bottle
A common household spray bottle is handy for watering leaves and flowers. Besides that, it can be used for cleaning dirt from the pot during repotting.
Rust eraser
A rust eraser is a necessary tool in a Bonsai toolkit. It is used for the maintenance of your tools. It scrubs rust from the rusty blades of different tools.
Diamond file sharpener
It is used for making keen edges of the cutters, scissors, and other cutting tools.
Rotating table/turntable
A rotating table is great to place a Bonsai tree on, while you work on it. You can rotate your tree while wiring, carving or doing other tasks.
Tool type 3: Repotting Tools
Transplanting a pot-bound Bonsai tree into fresh soil is called repotting. It is done to let the entangled roots get space, oxygen and nutrition from the fresh soil. Before repotting, the roots are reshaped and pruned. How often you need to repot your Bonsai tree will depend on its age, pot size and many other factors.
Chopstick
Bamboo chopsticks and sharp-edged metal chopsticks are used for combing the roots while transplanting a tree. However, you can also use a root hook/rake like this. When working with fine and delicate roots, use your fingers, and even toothpicks.
Root pruning scissors
These scissors have larger blades. Moreover, these are ideal for pruning fibrous roots.
Loppers
Loppers normally resemble pruners, but they cut thicker roots, branches, and trunks (over 2cm), as compared to pruners. Moreover, these have strong handles for an excellent grip.
Root claws
As the name indicates, root claws are used for combing roots of Bonsai. It is used to break down the larger soil pieces into smaller ones when repotting. Be careful while using it. Any mishandling or too much force can damage the roots. As mentioned above, you can also use a rake/hook and your fingers if roots are not too thick.
Needle-nosed tweezers
Unlike normal tweezers, these are multipurpose specialized gardening tweezers with fine tips. Thin tips help perform finer tasks that need more precision.
These are used for:
- Handling the sprouts.
- Cleaning debris after repotting
- Picking and throwing off any bugs.
- Plucking tiny weeds and leaves.
Sieve
Unlike a common household flour sieve, it has larger holes to help sort out different soil particles during repotting.
Root Saw
It is almost similar to a household knife. During repotting, the roots of a tree are pot-bound. Root saw is used for separating the entangled roots.
Sickle Saw
Unlike the root saw, the sickle saw is slightly curved. Its purpose is to free the corners of a tree from the pot. This way, the tree can be easily removed from the pot. Instead of a sickle saw, you can also use a root saw.
Mesh
It is a net used for covering the holes at the bottom of the pot. It not only keeps the insects from invading the soil, but also prevents the soil from coming out of the holes when you water your Bonsai.
Additional advanced tools for Bonsai, their names and uses
Once you get enough experience with Bonsai maintenance and care, you can build up your Bonsai specialist tool collection by purchasing them one by one. Some of these tools are also useful in general gardening.
These additional tools include electric tools, hand-operated tools, and heavy-duty cutters. If you want to practice more advanced techniques, such as creating deadwood while styling a Bonsai tree, these tools will make your job easier. They will also help create interesting transformations.
Rotary Tool
It is a carving power tool used for carving and cutting deadwood. There are smaller and larger rotary tools. Smaller ones are great to start with, and can often only fit smaller carving bits for lighter work. Larger and more powerful rotary tools will fit different-sized carving bits and carve with more speed. This will provide more flexibility.
Chisels and grafting knives
Chisels are used for splitting or removing the wood and creating jin and shari. The purpose of grafting knives is to create a natural look.
Scalpel
It is a carving tool specific for Bonsai. Knives and scalpels will allow to perform more detailed work due to more control that you can have.
Bonsai tools for beginners
If you don’t have all of these tools, there’s nothing to worry about. You can also start with a few basic tools and build your toolbox later.
In addition to a simple starter kit, you may need a few other things. You can use a cake turntable or part of an old recorder player in place of a Bonsai turntable. An old toothbrush can be used for cleaning and scrubbing purposes.
A curved trowel made from an old tin can be used for adding soil to the pot. Moreover, you can utilize the copper wire from an unused electric cable. But before using, remove the insulation and anneal it by burning it. You can use common household sieves for grading soil.
To protect the branches from wire pressure, place the strips of rubber under the wire. However, raffia paper like this is the best for this purpose.
Here is the list of Bonsai beginner tools:
- Bonsai Scissors
- Pruners
- Root Pruning shears
- Concave Branch Cutters
- Wire Cutters
- Root rake/hook
- Tweezers
- Spray bottle and a watering can
- Wire (anodized aluminum is good for beginners)
Caring and Maintenance for Bonsai Tools
Good quality Bonsai tools are expensive and require maintenance to extend their life. Follow the below-mentioned tips for tool care.
- Never use dirty tools on different trees as it will spread the disease.
- Clean the tools with a hand cleaner or rubbing alcohol after each use.
- Apply oil on the tools after each use to keep them rust-free.
- Always use tools with sharp edges.
- Remove the rust over the rusty blades by using a rust eraser.
- Sharpen the tools that have curved cutting edges by using diamond-impregnated finishing stones.
Final Words
Caring and growing Bonsai is not about using hundreds of different tools. If you can’t purchase all of these tools, just invest in a good-quality essential toolkit only. You can also start this Bonsai hobby if you have some basic equipment. If you are just starting out with Bonsai, you can get an essential toolkit like this, that will mostly have everything you need.
However, low-cost tools often don’t keep good sharp edges for too long. If you notice any faults, upgrade once you can. Properly take care of your Bonsai tools to use them in the long run.
Thank you for reading this post on Bonsai tools! To learn more about Bonsai care, please see this page.