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# The Ultimate Bonsai Essentials List

By [Joshua Hooson (@Bonsai\_En)](https://listium.com/@Bonsai_En)

286 views · 2 likes · 1 follower  
Published 20 May 2022 · Updated 20 May 2022

Category: hobbies & interests

I'm Josh - creator of the Bonsai-En YouTube Channel and Podcast, and on this list, I share with you my recommendations of all the essential tools to get started with bonsai.

I've categorized the items in Pruning, Modelling, Root Care, Repotting, and Cleaning. And I've also rated them based on the value for money and whether or not the item is essential to get started.

You can see the full video review of items here, or specific snippets within the list: \[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6Z0s4ay5-g&t=74s\](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6Z0s4ay5-g&t=74s ) 

If you are just getting started with Bonsai, or are an enthusiast of this art, join us at the \[Bonsai En podcast\](https://www.bonsai-en.com.au/podcast) and follow our \[YouTube channel\](https://www.youtube.com/c/bonsaien) for tips and updates.

  

You can also visit our Website \[www.Bonsai-En.com.au\](https://www.Bonsai-En.com.au) or our Online Bonsai Shop \[www.Bonsai-En.Shop\](https://Bonsai-En.shop) or follow the links below.

## Items

### 1. [Bonsai trimmer scissors](https://listium.com/@Bonsai_En/69395/the-ultimate-bonsai-essentials-list/0/bonsai-trimmer-scissors)

Item ID: `0`

- Function: To get a nice clean cut to not damage the bonsai.
- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/pzrcdc1rkcjirilwxfuo.jpg)
- Category: Pruning
- Value for Money: +2
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/w6Z0s4ay5-g?t=74&start=74&end=128](https://youtu.be/w6Z0s4ay5-g?t=74&start=74&end=128)
- Is it essential?: Yes
- Comments: They have a really sharp blade and a long handle, generally. They allow you to get in nice and tight in between the branches and get to some of those hard-to-reach places and having a sharper blade stops you from actually squashing the branch when you cut it. A good set of bonsai scissors will be nice and comfortable as well.
- Link to buy: [https://bonsai-en.shop/products/kikuwa-200mm-bonsai-scissors](https://bonsai-en.shop/products/kikuwa-200mm-bonsai-scissors)

### 2. [Branch cutters](https://listium.com/@Bonsai_En/69395/the-ultimate-bonsai-essentials-list/1/branch-cutters)

Item ID: `1`

- Function: To get a nice flush cut up against the Bonsai trunk.
- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/chnblfsmttr6znrgqiic.jpg)
- Category: Pruning
- Value for Money: +2
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/w6Z0s4ay5-g?t=129&start=129&end=174](https://youtu.be/w6Z0s4ay5-g?t=129&start=129&end=174)
- Is it essential?: Yes
- Comments: Probably one of the tools I use the most. They're nice and sharp and they're angled on a way that you can get into some pretty tight places.
- Link to buy: [https://bonsai-en.shop/products/kikuwa-205mm-professional-bonsai-branch-cutters](https://bonsai-en.shop/products/kikuwa-205mm-professional-bonsai-branch-cutters)

### 3. [Wire cutters](https://listium.com/@Bonsai_En/69395/the-ultimate-bonsai-essentials-list/2/wire-cutters)

Item ID: `2`

- Function: The bullnose design stops you from cutting into the bonsai branch so you can get up nice and close on the wire and cut it without actually cutting the branch.
- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/ctdddxhcloyc9znrfv7t.jpg)
- Category: Modeling
- Value for Money: +2
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/w6Z0s4ay5-g?t=175&start=175&end=234](https://youtu.be/w6Z0s4ay5-g?t=175&start=175&end=234)
- Is it essential?: Yes
- Comments: Don't get the regular ones (aluminum), get the copper ones. With the regular ones is hard to cut.
- Link to buy: [https://bonsai-en.shop/products/kikuwa-205mm-bonsai-wire-cutter](https://bonsai-en.shop/products/kikuwa-205mm-bonsai-wire-cutter)

### 4. [Wire](https://listium.com/@Bonsai_En/69395/the-ultimate-bonsai-essentials-list/3/wire)

Item ID: `3`

- Function: To model the bonsai.
- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/qcglgsjt0o3rqxdmab9r.jpg)
- Category: Modeling
- Value for Money: +1
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/w6Z0s4ay5-g?t=176&start=175&end=234](https://youtu.be/w6Z0s4ay5-g?t=176&start=175&end=234)
- Is it essential?: -
- Comments: Bonsai wire is used to shape trees and can also be used for tree anchors and guy wire
- Link to buy: [https://bonsai-en.shop/products/4mm-100g-bonsaiwire](https://bonsai-en.shop/products/4mm-100g-bonsaiwire)

### 5. [Concave cutters](https://listium.com/@Bonsai_En/69395/the-ultimate-bonsai-essentials-list/4/concave-cutters)

Item ID: `4`

- Function: To avoid bumps on the bonsai. Also great for cutting down bigger branches.
- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/f5ppde3qhcznue0lujdq.jpg)
- Category: Pruning
- Value for Money: +2
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/w6Z0s4ay5-g?t=235&start=235&end=295](https://youtu.be/w6Z0s4ay5-g?t=235&start=235&end=295)
- Is it essential?: -
- Comments: With their round shape you can actually bite into the tree and create a concave cute and when it heals that concave cut will fill the callus and then you'll get a nice flush heal.
- Link to buy: [https://bonsai-en.shop/collections/buy-bonsai-knob-cutters-online-australia](https://bonsai-en.shop/collections/buy-bonsai-knob-cutters-online-australia)

### 6. [Jin pliers](https://listium.com/@Bonsai_En/69395/the-ultimate-bonsai-essentials-list/5/jin-pliers)

Item ID: `5`

- Function: For peeling off bark on a branch to create a jin. Good for gripping the wire, because of their teeth.
- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/u93ykgntzapd5mtj7uz9.jpg)
- Category: Modeling
- Value for Money: +2
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/w6Z0s4ay5-g?t=296&start=296&end=359](https://youtu.be/w6Z0s4ay5-g?t=296&start=296&end=359)
- Is it essential?: -
- Comments: You can peel up the bark a little bit and grip onto them with the jin pliers and then roll it. If they're doing guy wire or if they're tying a tree down into a pot, when they twist the wire they will put the jin pliers on it and twist the wire nice and tight.
- Link to buy: [https://bonsai-en.shop/products/kikuwa-180mm-professional-bonsai-jin-plier](https://bonsai-en.shop/products/kikuwa-180mm-professional-bonsai-jin-plier)

### 7. [Root cutters](https://listium.com/@Bonsai_En/69395/the-ultimate-bonsai-essentials-list/6/root-cutters)

Item ID: `6`

- Function: To trimmer the roots.
- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/n8zhgmkuax3oelb7lliw.jpg)
- Category: Root care
- Value for Money: +2
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/w6Z0s4ay5-g?t=360&start=360&end=425](https://youtu.be/w6Z0s4ay5-g?t=360&start=360&end=425)
- Is it essential?: -
- Comments: The blade on these are a lot thicker and tougher than the bonsai trimmer scissors. When you're trimming the root system, you're going to come accross things like pine bark, inorganic materials, rocks... so if you hit them with a normal set of scissors you got a good chance of damaging them.
- Link to buy: [https://bonsai-en.shop/products/kikuwa-210mm-bonsai-root-cutters](https://bonsai-en.shop/products/kikuwa-210mm-bonsai-root-cutters)

### 8. [Root hook](https://listium.com/@Bonsai_En/69395/the-ultimate-bonsai-essentials-list/7/root-hook)

Item ID: `7`

- Function: For teasing out roots when you're repotting.
- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/cr72ftqybgxexfhsyqew.jpg)
- Category: Repotting
- Value for Money: +2
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/w6Z0s4ay5-g?t=426&start=426&end=475](https://youtu.be/w6Z0s4ay5-g?t=426&start=426&end=475)
- Is it essential?: -
- Comments: So as you pull the tree out of the nursery pot, you can get this hook in there and actually tease out all of the roots from the soil.
- Link to buy: [https://bonsai-en.shop/collections/buy-bonsai-root-hook-online-australia](https://bonsai-en.shop/collections/buy-bonsai-root-hook-online-australia)

### 9. [Root rake](https://listium.com/@Bonsai_En/69395/the-ultimate-bonsai-essentials-list/8/root-rake)

Item ID: `8`

- Function: Good for exposing the nebari on the top of a tree.
- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/c01lqpix6pvxqzotm1ja.jpg)
- Category: Root care
- Value for Money: +2
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/w6Z0s4ay5-g?t=476&start=476&end=522](https://youtu.be/w6Z0s4ay5-g?t=476&start=476&end=522)
- Is it essential?: -
- Comments: After you water trees for a while the top of the soil will actually become compacted and this will stop the water from getting into the root system, so you can go around with the root rake and just get rid of just a little bit on top of the surface in the soil and that will allow the water to penetrate again.
- Link to buy: [https://bonsai-en.shop/collections/buy-bonsai-root-rake-online-australia](https://bonsai-en.shop/collections/buy-bonsai-root-rake-online-australia)

### 10. [Spatula](https://listium.com/@Bonsai_En/69395/the-ultimate-bonsai-essentials-list/9/spatula)

Item ID: `9`

- Function: Separates the soil and acts like a shoehorn.
- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/d71qbzwzyepodft0bwxw.jpg)
- Category: Repotting
- Value for Money: +2
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/w6Z0s4ay5-g?t=522&start=523&end=544](https://youtu.be/w6Z0s4ay5-g?t=522&start=523&end=544)
- Is it essential?: -
- Comments: It can comes with the root rake.
- Link to buy: [https://bonsai-en.shop/products/kikuwa-stainless-tweezer-spatula?\_pos=1&\_sid=41c417f01&\_ss=r](https://bonsai-en.shop/products/kikuwa-stainless-tweezer-spatula?_pos=1&_sid=41c417f01&_ss=r)

### 11. [Crean mate](https://listium.com/@Bonsai_En/69395/the-ultimate-bonsai-essentials-list/10/crean-mate)

Item ID: `10`

- Function: For cleaning all the sap and gunk off the blades.
- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/ghetonstsgtkq05i9obn.jpg)
- Category: Cleaning and maitanance
- Value for Money: +1
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/p4b4x3SJhZo?t=106&start=106&end=416](https://youtu.be/p4b4x3SJhZo?t=106&start=106&end=416)
- Is it essential?: -
- Comments: You can use it wet or dry. Just rub it in the blade. You don't need to worry so much about the edges of the blade, but it's nice to be careful on the use. Recommendation: Apply it everytime before the use, because if there's some gunk on your scissors blades, they're gonna separate and that could damage your tool functionality.
- Link to buy: [https://bonsai-en.shop/products/kikuwa-crean-mate-tool-rust-cleaner](https://bonsai-en.shop/products/kikuwa-crean-mate-tool-rust-cleaner)

### 12. [Whetstone](https://listium.com/@Bonsai_En/69395/the-ultimate-bonsai-essentials-list/11/whetstone)

Item ID: `11`

- Function: To sharpen the blades of the tools.
- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/prwjycaetmqditvu3pfd.jpg)
- Category: Cleaning and maitanance
- Value for Money: +1
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/p4b4x3SJhZo?t=417&start=417&end=1946](https://youtu.be/p4b4x3SJhZo?t=417&start=417&end=1946)
- Is it essential?: -
- Comments: There are also the diamond stones, but I wouldn't recommend that, they're more proper for harsh tools, the bonsai tools are more delicate. A320 is recommended for blunt tools. Use a 1200 to refine the edges. The 4000 is for polishing. Pay attention to your tools' material to choose the proper sharpening stone. For cheaper materials, use the 1500. Summing up: 300-800 to move a lot of material, 800-2000 to refining, 2000-6000 to polishing (this for whetstones, diamond stones are harsher, remember that). Put the wheatstone on the water until al the bubbles come out. When sharpening, concentrate on the angled side. On the flat side you're only taking the burr off that you'll create.
- Link to buy: [https://bonsai-en.shop/products/kikuwa-oil-water-whetstone-320-grit](https://bonsai-en.shop/products/kikuwa-oil-water-whetstone-320-grit)

### 13. [Camellia oil](https://listium.com/@Bonsai_En/69395/the-ultimate-bonsai-essentials-list/12/camellia-oil)

Item ID: `12`

- Function: To prevent the blade from rusting.
- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/bywxze07kxyieurydviu.jpg)
- Category: Cleaning and maitanance
- Value for Money: +1
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/p4b4x3SJhZo?t=1947&start=1947&end=2080](https://youtu.be/p4b4x3SJhZo?t=1947&start=1947&end=2080)
- Is it essential?: -
- Comments: Cheap and lasts long. Also easy to clean up with it. Put the oil inside the applicator.
- Link to buy: [https://bonsai-en.shop/products/bonsai-tool-oil-camellia-oil](https://bonsai-en.shop/products/bonsai-tool-oil-camellia-oil)

### 14. [Oil applicator](https://listium.com/@Bonsai_En/69395/the-ultimate-bonsai-essentials-list/13/oil-applicator)

Item ID: `13`

- Function: To apply the oil in the tool.
- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/wwiwlyeiv41ynajasxrq.jpg)
- Category: Cleaning and maitanance
- Value for Money: +1
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/p4b4x3SJhZo?t=2081&start=2081&end=2314](https://youtu.be/p4b4x3SJhZo?t=2081&start=2081&end=2314)
- Is it essential?: -
- Comments: Prevents from wastage. Just rub the applicator on the blades. You can oil up all of your tool, if you let it exposed.
- Link to buy: [https://bonsai-en.shop/products/bonsai-tool-oil-applicator](https://bonsai-en.shop/products/bonsai-tool-oil-applicator)

### 15. [Isopropyl alcohol](https://listium.com/@Bonsai_En/69395/the-ultimate-bonsai-essentials-list/14/isopropyl-alcohol)

Item ID: `14`

- Function: To clean the tool on the end of the cleaning and maitanance process.
- Image: ![Image](https://img.listium.com/images/width=800,height=800,fit=scale-down,format=webp/l/zdmad6yearpgh3iusxh5.jpg)
- Category: Cleaning and maitanance
- Value for Money: +1
- Video Review: [https://youtu.be/p4b4x3SJhZo?t=2315&start=2315&end=2452](https://youtu.be/p4b4x3SJhZo?t=2315&start=2315&end=2452)
- Is it essential?: -
- Comments: Give the tool a good spray and wipe it down on a rag. If you're working in a lot of trees, you can spray it on your blades when you're jumping from one tree to another, it'll prevent a collective "disease", because if one tree has a fungal infection, the next one can catch it too.
- Link to buy: [https://www.amazon.com.au/Isopropyl-Alcohol-Pure-100-Isopropanol/dp/B088GRMKBM/ref=sr\_1\_4?crid=31ULKV8ZARP4J&keywords=Isopropyl+alcohol&qid=1648767787&sprefix=%2Caps%2C790&sr=8-4](https://www.amazon.com.au/Isopropyl-Alcohol-Pure-100-Isopropanol/dp/B088GRMKBM/ref=sr_1_4?crid=31ULKV8ZARP4J&keywords=Isopropyl+alcohol&qid=1648767787&sprefix=%2Caps%2C790&sr=8-4)