Frequently Asked Questions About – Bonsai Tools

You will need some tools to be able to do the work required to develop your tree as a bonsai and there can be a lot of questions about tools.

I have written – A Guide To Beginner Bonsai Tools – explaining what you will need and why, but I have still received a lot of good questions that need answers, which I will go through here.

They are in no real order, but hopefully these can clear up any confusion you might have, but if there is something you are still not sure on, let me know and I can add it.

What Is the Purpose of Bonsai Tools in the Cultivation Process?        

When you look at what a bonsai is, it is just a full size tree that has had a lot of techniques applied to it, which help keep it small.

That really means to make any tree a bonsai, we have to do work to it and all that work is going to involve tools.

Most of the techniques revolve around pruning, so we need tools for this. Some people think we keep the trees small by restricting them in some way, which isn’t true. We want our trees to be extremely vigorous and to grow a lot, and then we use pruning techniques to keep them small.

The truth is that you can do this with any sort of pruning tool, it doesn’t need to be a “bonsai tool”, but you will need tools.

Are There Any Specific Tools For Root Work And Repotting In Bonsai Cultivation?         

When it comes to bonsai root work you will need three main tools that are essential for repotting, then if you want to add anything extra that you find helpful, that is fine.

You need a rake, to help you loosen the soil and untangle things. You can do a lot of this with your hands, but a rake will help you get things loosened up enough to do it by hand.

Then you will need a pair of scissors to trim the roots. You will want a pretty robust pair as root work can be a bit rough. Roots can be thick and also there will be a lot of dirt, so you need a pair that can handle this. I use a pair that are designed for bonsai roots, and they can easily chomp through most roots. Of course if you have some really big thick roots you may need some other tools to cut through these.

Then lastly you need something stick shaped, such as chop stick. This is going to allow you to work the soil into the roots when you are adding the new soil and tree back into the pot. This part is boring, but it’s really important so you can’t skip it. You just need something you can poke into the soil and wiggle about. I sometime just use a piece of old wire, but chop sticks are the most commonly used item for this.

If you have these 3 tools, you can do pretty much 99% of the repotting and root work you need to do. 

What Are the Essential Bonsai Tools That Every Enthusiast Should Have?  

This is a tough question, but really I would say you need a pair of scissors for the majority of the pruning, probably some sort of larger pruning tool, such a pair of concave cutters …and I think with those two tools you could do a lot of bonsai work.

Then for the roots I would say you need another pair of scissors and a rake.

So that is 4 tools, I think if you started with that you could go really far. You may need an extra few things here and there, but honestly as a bare essentials, if I had just these 4 I could most of the things I needed to do and I think I could get away with this for a lot of years before I needed some extra things.  

How Do I Choose the Right Bonsai Tools for My Needs?

The first thing you need to do is identify what your needs are. What are you trying to achieve? Knowing this alone will really narrow down you tool selection.

If you need to cut some wire, then your choice is pretty obvious, you will need a wire cutter. Selecting these types of tools are pretty obvious and I think the real confusion comes with pruning.

However, picking a tool for pruning is also really straight forward. Pretty much all the pruning tools do the same job …they cut. All you have to do is look at what you are trying to cut and decide if the tool in your hand is going to achieve that.

If it’s a small little twig you want to just snip back, then a simple pair of scissors will be fine. If the branch is pretty thick, the scissors are not going to cut it …quite literally. So, you would look at what tools you have and find the one you think can get the job done.

Sometimes you may not have a tool big enough, so you may just need to take a few bites to get through a branch, but of course common sense will tell you that if it’s too thick, you may need to go away and get a different tool that will handle it, such as a saw.

There is no rule that says you must use X for Y. If you use scissors and someone else uses pruners …that’s fine. So long as the branch is cut cleanly and you have achieved what you set out to do, then it doesn’t matter what exact tool you used. 

Can You Recommend Any Online Resources or Tutorials for Using Bonsai Tools Effectively?

Using the tools themselves is extremely straight forward, most of them are like using scissors, you will just naturally pick them up and know what to do.

The more important thing is knowing when you actually need to use them, which means you need to understand how to prune and repot a tree.

There are of course more techniques than this to master, but these are going to be the main two actives you end up doing the most to your trees over the years. I have written guides on both, which are going to explain to you what you need to do and why.

You can read How To Prune A Bonsai Tree – A Beginners Guide and How To Repot A Bonsai Tree once you get a good understanding of these, you will be able to use your tools a lot more effectively as you will have the basic knowledge of why you are using the tools.

Are There Specific Brands of Bonsai Tools That Are Widely Regarded as the Best?         

When it comes to brands, honestly, I am not quite sure which company produce the best bonsai tools. This is something I have been asking myself for a while and really the only way I can be sure if to have the tools in my own hands and compare them, which I haven’t been able to do yet.

I don’t want to give any answer yet, until I am satisfied, so for now, this is a “we will wait and see” and I will update this when I feel things are clearer. 

Can You Recommend a Comprehensive Bonsai Tool Set for Beginners?      

When it comes to tools sets, especially for beginners, I would avoid these completely.

You do not need a “set” most of the tools in these are just not needed. I know they look cool and you can think you have everything you need when you get one of these, but these beginner sets are always such low quality that it isn’t worth it.

You should start out with just using what you have already, then working out how to actually do bonsai. Once you start getting a feel for what sort of tools you might need, you can purchase a half decent tool and then go from there and slowly build your kit.

If you really want to start with a “bonsai tool” then buy a half decent concave cutter. This one tool will see more action than your whole “beginner set” combined.  

Are There Any Specialized Tools for Specific Bonsai Styles?

The tools you use for bonsai do not create the style of tree. There is no special tool that will get you X style.

All the tools we use for each style are the same. It really all comes down to how you use the tools, rather than the tools themselves.

You need to learn how trees are structured and how the different styles are built, then you can use the tools to make this happen with the tree you are using.  

Can You Explain the Different Types of Shears and Scissors Used in Bonsai Cultivation?           

I go into more detail in my Guide To Beginner Bonsai Tools but reallythe thicker the branch gets, the less likely it is that you can use scissors to do the job. The shears or pruners are just going to allow you to make larger cuts.

Different pruners will also allow you to make slightly different shaped cuts, which will make slightly different shaped wounds.

This really all for aesthetic reasons and allows certain wounds to heal over in a less noticeable way so that as the tree grows, it will look like it has never been worked and cause an illusion that the tree is just somehow magically remained small as there is no obvious pruning scars.  

Can You Explain the Benefits of Using Concave Cutters for Bonsai Pruning?

Concave cutters allow you to create a concave wound, rather than just a flush cut.

This is important sometimes, as it can help with the healing of the wound. Wounds usually heal by a callus forming and meeting in the middle and closing over. However, this often creates a bump and just looks kind of ugly.

By creating a concave wound, you are allowing this callus to roll down into the wound and then when it meets in the middle, the final scar will look flat, rather than be a bump.

After a number of years this flat scar will merge with the rest of the bark around it and it will look like there was never a wound there. This is going to make the final result so much less noticeable than if there was a bump there.

This can allow you end up with a tree that has no scars, so it looks like it has magically grown and stayed small and all your work is hidden, which just make the scale of the bonsai look very realistic.

Can You Recommend Any Ergonomic Bonsai Tools for Individuals With Hand/Arm Strength Issues?         

This is a tough question. I don’t know of any such tools, but I don’t think that matters. I just think you can use physics to your advantage.

Most tools are a form of levers; you squeeze one end to produce force at the other. All I would suggest is that you a use a larger tool than is required to do the job. It should take you less squeezing force to generate the same amount of force as using a smaller tool, so you should be able to cut through with ease.

You could also use gardening shears. These can seem quite “heavy duty” when you start doing bonsai work with them and you should be able to find you can easily cut through the smaller branches of a bonsai with these with little force.

What Are the Most Versatile Bonsai Tools That Can Be Used for a Wide Range of Tasks?          

I would say my most used tool is a pair of scissors. I really think you can do pretty much everything with just these. Of course cutting large branches will be hard, if not impossible, but for the majority of things you can use scissors.

Most of the pruning I do is with scissors and I of course use these for root work. (I use a different pair just for this)

You can also cut wire with scissors, but this is extremely frowned upon, as you can damage the scissors… so don’t do that.

I would honestly pick a pair of scissors if I was told I could only ever use one tool. 

How Often Should I Clean and Maintain My Bonsai Tools?        

Cleaning and maintaining your bonsai tools is important for their longevity, but also so that they function well and stay sharp for when you want to use them.

I have written an in depth guide on how to do this, which should cover everything you need

You can read it here – Bonsai Tool Maintenance and Care

How Do I Properly Care For My Bonsai Tools During the Winter Months When Not in Use?

If you read the maintenance guide I just linked above, you will see that I suggest you clean and maintain your tools over winter.

This is the time of year when we are not really doing any bonsai work, so it is a good time to get your tools in order and then you will also have them ready and at their best for the spring. 

How Do I Properly Sterilize My Bonsai Tools to Prevent Disease Transmission?

Sterilizing your tools is really simple, you just need to give them a quick wipe with an antibacterial wipe, or a cloth that has some sort of strong alcohol solution on it. You could even rub hand sanitizer on the tools and then just wipe them dry.

You also only need to do this to the cutting edge, this is the part that will be touching the tree is likely to spread any disease. 

You should really be doing this in between pruning your trees. To be honest, I don’t, but I am probably risking all sorts of problems. I would personally only do this when I knew I was working on a tree that I knew was sick. I’m not sure if what I do is sensible, so it’s down to you to make you own mind up.

How Can I Effectively Clean the Sap and Residue From My Bonsai Tools?    

To clean the sap off your tools you just need to give it a quick wipe. I would suggest you do this at the end of your pruning session, but you will usually find that you need to do it during.

You will start to notice your tools are getting gummed up and not moving freely. When this happens just get a damp cloth and start wiping them down, most of the sap should come off and if it is extremely stubborn you can use some hot soapy water and an old toothbrush, that should get it off.

Just make sure to dry your tools afterwards to avoid rust.

How Can I Prevent Rusting and Damage to My Bonsai Tools?  

Rust forms on tools when there is moisture, so really you just need to keep your tools dry and the chances of rust will be very low.

Of course there is always water in the air, so it can be unavoidable at times, but so long as you are drying your tool after washing them then this is going to help enormously with rust issues.

You should also make sure your tools are well oiled, as the oil will form a barrier between the metal and air which will help keep water from touching the metal directly. 

What Is the Best Way to Sharpen Bonsai Tools?    

Keeping your tools sharp is important and the best way to do it is by using a sharpening stone (also called a whetstone).

You can also use a dremel, but you need to have a steady hand to keep the edge of the blade even.

Some tools are going to be harder to sharpen than others due to the angle of the blade, but with a bit of persistence you should be able to get the angle on the sharpening stone just right (tools like this are easier to sharpen on a dremel).

Can You Recommend Any Bonsai Tool Maintenance Kits or Accessories?   

The only maintenance tools you need to buy is a whetstone, apart from that you just need some clothes and some oil.

Sometimes some wire wool and an old toothbrush can help with scrubbing some of some of the stuck on dirt and grime, but really your “maintenance kit” doesn’t need to be much bigger than this. 

How Do I Safely Handle and Store My Bonsai Tools to Ensure Their Longevity?   

Handling and storing your tools is fairly simple, just treat them with respect when holding them and then put them away somewhere safe afterwards. Simply respecting your tools will help them last a long time.

However, the real secret to their longevity is to clean them clean and dry. After you use them you should clean off any built up dirt and then make sure they are dry before putting them away.

Of course some regular maintenance is going to also help keep them lasting longer, but really just showing them a bit of care and kindness will usually go a long way. Most tools are made of metal, so there is no reason why they cannot last an extremely long time.    

Are There Any Alternatives to Traditional Bonsai Tools?

When it comes to alternatives for bonsai tools, really you just need to look at any general gardening section and maybe even around you house.

Any sort of pruning shear is going to be fine for bonsai and you may find that just a normal pair of scissors will be fine. The surgical scissors you probably have in your first aid kit can be really good for bonsai and I am sure if you have seen any of my videos you will notice I use a normal fork as a root rake.

Of course there are some bonsai tools you will just need, but as a beginner you can get started with some really basic stuff that is absolutely not linked to bonsai.   

Are Bonsai Tools Suitable for Trimming and Shaping Other Potted Plants?

You could certainly use your bonsai tools on other plants. Really when you look at the tools, they are not too dissimilar to other garden tools, which is exactly why you can use general gardening tools for a lot of bonsai work.

Some bonsai tools are specialised, but really they are all designed to do some sort of cutting so you could really use these on most things.

My most used tool is just a basic pair of scissors, which could be used in any type of gardening if you wanted to.

Are There Any Tools Specifically Designed for Grafting Bonsai Trees?

When it comes to grafting, you can use the same tools that you would use for grafting any other type of tree.

Really all you need is a sharp knife, this is the main tool you need, so as long as you have this you can do any grafting or air layering that you want.

Are There Any Specialized Tools for Thinning Foliage in Bonsai Cultivation?

If you want to thin the foliage of your bonsai, all you need is a pair of scissors.

If we look at hedges, we have electric pruners, which is the total opposite of what we want in bonsai. These types of pruners just hack everything back blindy and that is not what bonsai is about.

Bonsai is all about examining each little branch and deciding what to do and also evaluating how it interacts with everything around it. This means you just need a pair of scissors, some time and patience.

You need to go through every little branch by hand and trim as needed, so it can take a long time on some trees, but this is the difference between a hedge that is roughly cut to shape and a well refined bonsai.  It takes patient, but it is worth it.

How Do I Use Wire Cutters Effectively Without Damaging the Bonsai Wire or Tree Branches?

When it comes to wire cutters, this is one of the few tools where you need the “bonsai” version.

Bonsai wire cutters have a more flatter shaped nose, which means you can put the cutters over the wire, but they do not dig into the bark. This means you can remove the wire, without damaging the bark.

You can use normal wire cutters to cut the wire when it is not on the tree, but as soon as you try and use these for removing wire on a branch, you will quickly see that they dig into the bark and wire at the same time, which is not what you want.

Can I Use Electric Tools for Bonsai Work, or Is It Better to Stick With Manual Tools?

The only electric tools you should be using for bonsai is something like a dremel, when you want to carve a trunk.

You can do this with hand tools, but the power tools are going to make things so much quicker and easier and also cause less damage to the tree. Using handheld carving tools may cause you to knock or shake the tree as you bang the tools together, which will not happen with power tools.

For any other work on a bonsai, you should be using hand tools. Any sort of root work or pruning of branches needs to be done by hand. This is because you need to take the time to inspect each branch or root and decide what to do.

You can’t just blindly sweep an electric pruner over your bonsai as this will just cut too much off, you really need to take your time and do each branch, one at a time.  

Are There Any Specialized Tools for Creating Jin and Shari (Deadwood) In Bonsai Trees?       

When it comes to making deadwood on your branches, you can use special tools, such a jin pliers, but really you could use any pair of pliers. You goal is to strip the branch of bark and carve it, so while I would say jin pliers will do a better job it is not the only way.

You could also use any other sort of hand carving tool and these are very commonly used in bonsai along with a sharp knife.

You could also use power tools, such as dremels to help you carve out your deadwood, which is what a lot of people prefer to do as it makes the work a lot quicker and easier.

(You can read more about – Creating Bonsai Deadwood)

What Kind of Tools Should I Use to Carve Intricate Details Into My Bonsai Tree?

As I just mentioned above, the two main types of tools you can use for carving are just generic hand carving tools or dremels.

Usually some sort of combination of the two are used to carve out trunks and to add details to the deadwood.

Conclusion

As you can see there are a lot of good questions around bonsai tools and hopefully now you have a better understanding around the topic.

Just use the tools you have and spend more time on learning what you actually need to do with them, such as learning how to actually prune.

If there is anything that you are still unclear about, just let me know.

(You can read more about – Common Mistakes Beginners Make With Bonsai Tools (and How To Avoid Them))