Finding the Right Bonsai Tool

Choosing the right bonsai tool for a specific task can often be rather difficult, namely because there are so many to choose from. However, as long as you are informed and educated on the different bonsai tool options and understand about which bonsai tool is used for which job, then you should have no problems and should end up with a healthy and beautiful bonsai tree.

Tools, Tools and More Tools

Even the bonsai novice will need a few basic bonsai tools in order to get started, and one bonsai tool in particular that you are definitely going to need is a pair of scissors. These are of course not going to be like the scissors that you regularly use, although they do resemble them.

These scissors are much different in terms of their construction however, and they are sharpened in such a way that they will not harm the actual tree itself when you are pruning and cutting off branches.

Another important bonsai tool is the branch cutter, which is a specially designed tool used to remove small branches your bonsai tree. You will only really need to use this if you are designing bonsai from shrubs or if your tree is getting older and the branches are getting thicker but the scissors are not able to cut through.

Taking Care of Your Tools

Regardless of which bonsai tools you equip yourself with, you are going to have to learn about how to take proper care of them. This is important because caring for bonsai tools is much easier than trying to work with dull or rusty ones or having to buy new ones altogether, and so it is definitely worth the bit of effort that it takes here.

The most important thing is to always inspect your bonsai tools after every time you use them, making sure that they are clean and in good working order. Clean each tool with a cloth, and always be gentle and of course very careful because the blades will be sharp.

You should also always remove any sap, using some soapy water and a cloth to remove it from the blades and handles. Remove all difficult stains with a piece of bamboo or a wooden spatula, and if you do use cleaning oils, make sure that they are the right oils for the job so that they will not ruin your tools.

All your tools should be properly oiled, and spraying them with lubricant will help to prevent corrosion. Applying rust prevention oil is also a good idea, and if you have to clean existing rust off first, once the rust is removed, you need to make sure to apply a coat of oil to the newly exposed steel in order to stop the oxidation process in its tracks.