ARSSA-IK10R Bonsai and Ikebana Saw

This is NOT my everyday saw. But when I started managing several neglected Japanese maples, I had to have something to get into the tight spaces where criss-crossing branches had been allowed to grow. Most of the maples cut easily with my everyday saw & pruners.However, the wood of the 2 'Tamukeyama' is much harder and has a character unlike anything else I've ever pruned. Branches more than ~0.3" diameter tend to crack and fracture at the cut when using my usual tools, This sweet little thing solved that problem -- the blade is so thin, the teeth so sharp, the tip so nicely tapered that all cuts are now clean and crack-free.As others have noted, using a blade this short on "large" diameter limbs (compared to bonsai) will mean that it becomes dull sooner than a 7 or 10" blade. But this is the saw that's needed to get into the branch angles so dead stubs aren't left. And not leaving cracks in the limbs that remain on the trees is a must.

The teeth on this blade are fantastic and they cut through branches easily. Ideal for when you're pruning shrubs and need to switch back and forth between pruners and saws -- it slips easily in your pocket if you don't have a holster for it on your gardening belt. But beware -- the blade is very thin and bends easily. Don't be rough with it either, or you'll crack the flimsy plastic handle. Just let the blade do the sawing very gently and it will do the job just fine. I love it.

These are my go to saws. I bought three of them, just in case they become discontinued. I am a professional tree and shrub pruner, and I use them on branches that are too large for my hand pruners, yet too small for my Silky Pocket Boys. They make a smooth, clean cut. I am very satisfied.

I needed something that makes clean cuts for branches that are in close contact with others without damaging the rest. This did the job because it's very sharp and compact which kept me from banging other adjacent branches while doing the cut.March 31 2018: There were a few other alternatives that looked enticing but their blades were just too wide and would not allow me to get into as tight places as this.I've only used it a handful of times but never had a problem with the blade being too soft as I've read from.others....I think technique in cutting is important. You have to ease up on it on the push stroke and angle it down on the pull stroke.March 5 2019: need to knock off 2 stars because after using this to cut off a handful of 1" bamboo stumps, it significantly lost the sharpness it once had.

I've cut a few branches now with this saw on my bonsai and the cuts have been amazing. Nice smooth and clean edges. This is a small saw though, so keep that in mind. The blade is a bit too short for branches 1"+ in diameter.

This little saw is excellent. I use it for fine work on bonsai and containerized trees. If you have never sawn live wood before I recommend practicing before making cuts on precious trees. I get much better control and nicer cuts with this little saw than when using shears or concave cutters. It cuts on the pull stroke which is a different feel than western style saws used by contractors and traditional woodworkers. The saw is VERY sharp so use appropriate caution. Once mine dulls I will not hesitate to order again, though I don't expect this to happen any time soon.

Though designed for pruning bonsai, this tool is always in my pocket when I go out to garden--even when not planning to work. It will neatly remove a stem of tomatoes deep in the plant, take off a broken or dead branch at the collar, or zip off a spear of asparagus just below the soil line. It will also slice right into a finger, so be careful!

For the price it's a pretty good saw. Lightweight and durable but blade is a bit flimsy. Can be difficult to cut through fibrous tissue but leaves very clean cuts.EDIT 2/7/17 - After having used it a bunch more I have to say it's not that great. It's really flimsy and cutting lignified wood is a laborious chore. I'd advise spending a little more and getting a better quality saw.

Great little saw. I always have it in my pocket at work, is so handy. Very sharp so makes good clean cuts. Perfect for the work I've been doing in the orchard this year. Only problem is that it is so good my O.H keeps stealing it for d.i.y jobs - turns out that it cuts plasterboard and p.i.r insulation very well too! - I'm not recommending this though as I imagine it will blunt it eventually - hasn't yet.

brilliant little saw for pruning stuff that is slightly too big for secateurs, keep it in your pocket and it saves stopping to get loppers.

Received in good time and the product was a expected.

For those seeking an extremely sharp bonsai saw for smaller tree limbs this is great value. Lightweight due to the plastic handle and thin blade, which gives dexterity in use. I ended up buying two after using the first, I was so impressed, each one for different locations.

Eine feine, scharfe Säge. Habe sie wegen des geringen Gewichts geholt (32g). Vorsicht: Man zahlt Einfuhrumsatzsteuer und Postgebühren obendrauf (7,20 Euro).