5 Best Bonsai Scissors and Buying Guide


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Bonsai scissors are an essential tool for bonsai hobbyists and bonsai artists. There are several types of bonsai scissors, depending on the size of the tree. If you are looking for a good quality pair of bonsai scissors or pruning shears at a reasonable price, then keep reading below. 

If you are a bonsai enthusiast, you already know the importance of pruning your bonsai tree. Pruning is one of the most important aspects of growing a healthy bonsai tree. It’s also an art form that requires patience and skill to master.

Having the best tools will facilitate trimming, as well as protect your tree from unwanted wounds and scarring. Wounds and scars can interfere with the health of the tree, as well as the design you are training for.

Because you have invested both time and money in your hobby, it’s worth it to get the best tools possible within your budget.

This article will cover the best bonsai scissors for pruning and how to choose the right bonsai scissors for you. 

The 5 Best Bonsai Scissors for Pruning

1. Chikamasa B-500sf Stainless Scissors with Fluorine Coating

The Chikasama B-500sf bonsai scissor has a measuring stick integrated right into the handle, so pruning your tree to the desired length is easy.

The high-quality, stainless-steel blades measure 35 mm. and feature a fluorine coating. The fluorine helps the blades resist the tree’s resin and sap, so they will last longer. Cleaning is still needed on the blades no matter what though. 

These bonsai scissors weigh in at 42 grams for comfortable cutting and maintenance trimming without your hand cramping. 

Chikamasa B-500sf Features

  • Stainless steel ultra-sharp blades
  • Weight: 42 grams
  • Blade length: 35mm
  • Grip in ABS
  • Measuring stick included on the handle
  • Made in Japan

2. Wazakura Yasugi Traditional Bonsai Scissors

These beautiful Wazakura bonsai scissors feature sharp and sturdy edges. The open-angle makes cutting branches easy, including in tight spaces. The large, looped handle is very comfortable for your hands.

The specialty steel is Yasugi steel made in the Hitachi Metals factory in Japan. It is a blend of steel and iron that is treated and removes impurities like sulfur and phosphorous.

The blades are extra-strong and wear-resistant, contributing to its durability and lifespan.

Wazakura Yasugi Bonsai Scissor Features

  • Hand-forged Bonsai scissors
  • Blade length 55mm.
  • Yasugi Specialty Steel
  • Large looped handle
  • Weigh 160 gr.
  • Made in Japan

3. Wakashishi 180 mm Bonsai Scissors

Wakashishi bonsai scissors are produced in Japan. They feature ultra-sharp SK steel blades measuring 7 inches in length and weigh in at a comfortable 165 grams.

Features

  • Made in Japan
  • SK (Carbon) steel blades
  • 180 mm.
  • 165 gr.

4. Shear Perfection Stainless Steel Bonsai Scissors

These Shear Perfection bonsai scissors are part of the manufacturer’s Platinum series and boasts a high-grade Japanese surgical stainless steel with a 60mm blade length.

The handle features an ergonomic rubber grip for comfortable yet precise pruning and can be used for right or left-handed cutting. Blades are easy to clean and remain sharper longer.

Shear Perfection Bonsai Scissors Features

  • Japanese surgical steel blades
  • Rubber grip
  • Can be used for left or right-handed cutting
  • 60 mm. blade length

5. Uxcell Bonsai Scissor with Gold Tone Carved Dragon Handle

The Uxcell bonsai scissors are a budget-friendly elegant option. These bonsai shears feature an intricate gold-tone dragon in their design.

Blades are made of stainless steel. It’s one of the more affordable scissors, but they won’t last long without proper care. 

Uxcell Bonsai Scissor Features

  • Metal gold-tone carved design handle
  • Weight 56 gr.
  • Blade length 4.5 cm
  • Stainless steel blades
  • Budget-friendly

Bonsai Scissor Buying Guide

When buying bonsai tools, reliability should be the top priority for any bonsai tree owner. You need to feel confident that you will be able to achieve what you set out to do, regardless of brand name or price.

This buying guide will help those wondering how to choose bonsai scissors. 

Bonsai Scissor Sizes

Bonsai Scissors are available in various sizes and measured in millimeters (mm). Common sizes you may find scissors marked as are:

  • 180 mm.
  • 200 mm.
  • 210 mm.
  • 220 mm. 

To select the correct size, you need to consider your bonsai tree’s size, or if you have several, consider the various size ranges for bonsai. If you are cultivating more than one bonsai tree, one pair of scissors will probably not be sufficient, especially if they are different sizes.

Factors that will influence your choice of scissor size include

  • The thickness of tree branches
  • The density of the foliage

In the case of larger, thicker branches, you will need larger tools. However, check to make sure if the larger branches require scissors or necessitates branch cutters.

Bonsai Scissor Types

Apart from scissor size, there are several scissor types for the different aspects of pruning, care, and maintenance.

Theoretically, you might be able to use only one scissor-type, but it may make your pruning more difficult. Scissors can also be damaged if used incorrectly and repeatedly.

Pruning Scissors

Pruning scissors, also known as pruning shears, will be the choice when trimming a bonsai tree’s smaller branches. Again, it is important to define if a branch can be cut with a pair of scissors to avoid damaging it.

Attempting to cut branches that are too thick for scissors will ruin the scissors at the joint. This will compromise the scissor’s effectiveness and precision, as well as probably damage your tree because the cuts aren’t clean. With a damaged scissor joint, the scissors will eventually break.

Typical pruning scissors will have a medium thickness and a medium length. These scissors are an ideal choice for the beginner bonsai gardener because they are appropriate for general trimming needs.

Root Shears

When dealing with a bonsai tree’s root ball and roots, a specific pair of scissors is recommended. Why, you wonder?

Consider that when you are caring for the roots, your scissors will inevitably come into contact with other types of materials such as gravel, pumice, granite powder, and more. If you use pruning scissors for this, you will inevitably damage the razor sharp pruning blades on the roots.

Root scissors generally feature a more durable blade. They also feature very sharp blades for root cutting to achieve a cleaner root cut and faster healing cuts for the tree.

The length of root scissors is also shorter to give you more control when cutting.

Bud Shears

If your bonsai has very fine leaves and/or very dense foliage, bud shears are a great tool. Bud shears are thinner and shorter to help you prune more accurately in smaller, tighter spaces.

They are particularly used for juniper bonsai trees where there is very little space between foliage needles.

Bud shears are sometimes referred to as “Satsuki” scissors because they are used by bonsai experts for pruning azalea flowering bonsai trees.

De-Candling Scissors

A de-candling scissor is useful for removing dead leaves and dead bark from a bonsai tree. It is a good idea to keep a few pairs of these scissors around so that you don’t have to buy them all at once. De-

These long, narrow scissors are a must if you are cultivating bonsai pine trees. They also are of service when trimming bonsais with many branches.

The blades of these scissors will be thicker and larger, so that you can prune branches that are a little bit larger. They will still be the correct size for scissors, though. 

Concave Cutters

Concave cutters are used to remove small amounts of bark from a bonsai tree’s trunk or branch. Concave cutters are designed to remove thin layers of bark without creating a deep gash.

They are not made to effectively trim bonsai leaves. Concave cutters are best for trimming branches as they create hollow wounds that will heal faster than a flat wound. 

Be sure to get a high-quality concave cutter or the cuts you get will not be good.  

Stainless Steel or Carbon Steel?

Bonsai tools are produced and made of either stainless steel or carbon steel. Japanese-produced stainless steel bonsai tools are renowned and are produced in top-grade excellent quality material.

They’re not your only option as there are carbon steel tools too. The one principal advantage that stainless steel bonsai scissors offer is that they do not rust, so this will increase durability.

One key difference between stainless steel tools and carbon steel is that stainless steel needs to be sharpened more often. The one advantage that carbon steel scissors will offer is that they are exceptionally hard and therefore maintain its sharp edge longer. 

Stainless steel is also more expensive as a material, so it will increase the price of the scissors.

Carbon steel bonsai scissors will cost less and require less sharpening, but are subject to rust over time. The higher the carbon content, the more risk there is for rusting. With good care, you may be able to ward off rust formation.

How Much Are Bonsai Scissors? Cheap vs. Expensive

As with anything in the marketplace, there is a cheap version, and then there is an expensive option. Basically, the saying “You get what you pay for” holds true. When creating your bonsai tool set, choose higher quality bonsai tools where you can. 

However, does not mean that cheaper bonsai tools are without purpose. If you are a beginner, you may want to initially invest in less expensive bonsai tools because you will need to do a lot of practicing.

You also may not have the budget to invest in expensive tools at the moment, so cheaper tools will allow you to cultivate bonsai trees despite not having large sums of money available.

Undoubtedly, cheaper scissors will not last as long as the expensive ones and will eventually break after continued use or they may just become blunt. Often, bonsai scissors that become blunt eventually break shortly thereafter.

Consider that cheaper tools will not be hand-forged and will be made using cast dies. Metals may have air pockets or bubbles that weaken the metal with use.

The cheaper tools may tend to be heavier and tiring for your hand, rust more quickly, and bend and break more easily. The blades may dull their edges more regularly and require more frequent sharpening, causing the scissors to no longer be aligned for proper cutting. Dull blads will cause ripped branches and crush branch wood fibers.

The advantage is that you can begin with less expensive tools and as you improve, work your way up to purchasing more expensive tools. With a top-grade tool, if you care for it properly, it will last a lifetime.

Consider that you may run into tools made in both Japan and China. If your budget allows for it, go with the Japanese tools. Japanese steel is generally of better quality than Chinese steel and Japan has better quality control of its products.

There is no right or wrong choice between cheap vs. expensive bonsai scissors as both have benefits. Research bonsai tool brands and the quality of steel that is used in their production. Never buy tools just because they are cheap. Even with less expensive bonsai scissors, search for quality.

Bonsai Scissors Final Thoughts

Selecting the correct bonsai scissors is as important as training and pruning your tree. Tool quality is not to be underestimated.

The use of an incorrect, dull, or damaged pair of scissors can damage your bonsai tree. The use of incorrect scissors can also damage the scissors. Without the correct tools, you will not be able to achieve the desired results.

Learn more about bonsai trees with these articles: 

Bonsai Scissors FAQs

Do you need special scissors for bonsai trees?

Yes, you could use specially-made bonsai scissors for pruning bonsai trees. Bonsai trees are very delicate, so you need to make sure you have the right tools to take care of them. Bonsai scissors are designed specifically for cutting the branches off of bonsai trees. These scissors are made from stainless steel, and they come in different sizes. There are also other types of scissors that are used for pruning bonsai trees.

How much are bonsai scissors?

Bonsai scissors typically cost anywhere from $10 to $50. These tools are used to trim bonsai branches. Bonsai scissors come in different sizes and shapes. There are also scissors that can cost much more depending on who made the scissors. The most expensive pair to date cost $35,000.

How do you use a bonsai concave cutter?

A Bonsai concave cutter is used to cut away unwanted branches from a bonsai tree. It is similar to pruning shears, but it cuts into the trunk rather than the branch. To use this tool, first remove any old bark by scraping it off with a knife. Then, place the blade against the side of the tree where you want to trim. Make sure the blade is perpendicular to the trunk. Finally, pull the handle back and forth to make a straight line across the tree. Repeat until you reach the desired length.

Why are pruning shears better than scissors?

Pruning shears are better because they are much sharper than regular scissors. The sharpness allows you to cut off branches damaging the branch itself. Scissors damage the bark and leave scars. Pruners also make it easier to remove dead wood from the tree.

Can I use regular scissors to trim plants?

You can use regular scissors to trim your plants, but it’s not a good option. If you do decide to use regular scissors, you should make sure that you cut no deeper than the top layer of the stem. Cutting into the stem causes the plant to bleed sap, which can cause rot. Getting a good pair of bonsai scissors is essential if you plan to train and grow a bonsai tree successfully.

What is a bonsai knob cutter? 

A bonsai knob cutter is used to trim larger cuts and remove bonsai branch stubs. It creates concave hollow cuts that will heal more quickly and cleanly. That will allow you to keep your tree healthy and strong. You can use this tool to create new branches or to remove old ones. This tool is great for creating new growth, especially when you’re trying to get rid of old branches.

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Written by:

Amy Walsh
Amy Walsh is a passionate indoor gardener, deeply engrossed in the world of houseplants and herbs. Her apartment is a lush sanctuary of foliage, reflecting her journey from hobbyist to devoted botanist. She's constantly exploring the latest in smart garden technology, eager to share her insights on nurturing green spaces indoors. Alongside her botanical pursuits, Amy enjoys connecting with nature and friends, continually enriching her lifestyle with greenery and growth.

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