Five piece carving set. Made in China.
For years we’ve resisted importing Chinese tools. Japanese tools were absolutely superior and more-or-less affordable, and Chinese tools, though very affordable, were mostly inferior.
Now, all that is changing. Robert Steven (accomplished bonsai artist, author of Vision of My Soul and major player in the Asian and world bonsai communities), has founded a line of Chinese tools that are quite good. And, compared to the ever increasing prices of Japanese tools, a very good investment; at least for those of us with tight budgets.
8″ knob cutters. Made in China.
I’d like to invite you to take a look. If you decide to buy one or two, all the better. Once you’ve tried them, let us know if your experience is as positive as ours.
In addition to the two pictured above, other Chinese tools we are now offering, are: 11″ knob cutters, 8″ concave cutters, 11″ concave cutters, and very affordable all purpose garden, bonsai and household scissors.
I have been noticing that there have been steady improvements in the quality of Chinese bonsai tools over the last few years. The Japanese tools, while of higher quality, have almost priced themselves out of the range for many bonsai enthusiasts, especially those available from Masakuni. I’m fortunate to have an old set of Masakuni tools that I’ve been using for almost 35 years, but I know that I would never be able to buy a similar set of them at today’s prices. For beginners in bonsai, the Chinese tools offer a good first option. Personally, I do have a few Chinese tools that I’ve purchased at various bonsai shows that I’ve attended across the US. With some judicious selection and careful use and special care (frequent cleaning , oiling, etc.), they have been very serviceable tools. I think that as time goes on, the Chinese brands will become more equal to their Japanese counterparts.
Yeah. Some of the increase has been currency rates. In the mid-eighties you could buy 150-180 Japanese yen for a dollar. Now you buy about 90.
Somehow, the Japanese (or at least Koyo company) have managed to hold their shear prices down. Koyo shears (carbon steel, not stainless) are still reasonably priced (we sell them for $29.00) and good quality, while biting tools (concave cutters, knob cutters etc), and all stainless tools, have gone up quite a bit.
Shears are what the Chinese seem to have the most trouble with (their biting tools are much better than their shears) , so I guess, in this case at least, it all works out.