Wide-blade carving knife for Jin and Shari 260 mm - Kaneshin

What it is for

It is used to work the deadwood of a bonsai. The wide blade strips the bark from branches destined to become Jin and pulls the wood fibres along the grain, producing those irregular strips that make a freshly created Jin or Shari look convincing. Use it by pulling towards you, with the bonsai held firmly, to peel the bark away in strands without damaging the living wood underneath.

Technical features

• Brand: Kaneshin, Japan
• Overall length: 260 mm
• Wide blade for bark stripping and fibre pulling
• Long wooden handle, for a two-handed grip and controlled traction
• Blade fixed to the handle with through screws
• Made in Japan

Who it is for

This is a tool for experts. The wide blade works by traction and calls for a steady hand: on the wrong branch, the damage cannot be undone.

In practice it comes into play after pruning, when you decide to turn a stub into a Jin or to open a Shari along the trunk. It is used alternately with jin pliers to peel the bark and prepare the surface before treating it with lime sulphur. On conifers such as juniper and pine the wood is fibrous and lends itself well to this work; we recommend working it while the wood is still slightly damp, as the fibres pull more easily.

What is included

• 1 Kaneshin 260 mm wide-blade knife for Jin and Shari