I’m not 1 to take the easy way out but was wondering what people’s views were on these cheap grafting tools. There’s nothing like a good W&T graft but this tool def can help save time. Anybody have successful grafts with these and how did they heal? Were they strong after a few years?
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Do a search on “grafting knife” or “grafting tool”. There are many lengthy threads on the subject.
1 guy, 1 single opinion:
I got one of the cheapie grafting tools that sell for around 30 to 50 bucks on Amazon. It has the Omega and a couple other shapes and you’re basically cut matching sections in the scion and rootstock, I assume this is what you’re talking about. I got it at the urging of my wife because I had cut myself a couple times and shit is not a fan of me getting injured.
I don’t like it. It is quick but I feel like I’m getting about 70-80% takes with apples, where i comfortably get 95% otherwise. They take most of the technique out of the equation, so if you’re new and having a horrible time and getting like 50% takes they could be advantageous but they have (or MINE, in MY hands, has) limitations….
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I have an inexpensive one and AM Lenards more expensive model.
The main thing that I like about the inexpensive one is that it is lightweight. The main thing that I like about AM Leos is that it cuts cleaner. Could be that I just need to sharpen the blade and modify the tool as @Barkslip suggested in that thread that @disc4tw posted. 
65 dollars Euro or American I’m not sure + shipping. There’s always another guy getting involved:
This came to me via email and old conifer growing friend two-days ago. Says it’s Aluminum whereas the AM Leonard one is cast.
They say they got their own blades, the Turkish model.
I like the cast best. But @FarmGirl-Z6A told me it was heavy and her son could use it better than her some time ago). As she said
The first thing I did when I received mine was getting a rounded file and increasing the clearance for my cuts. It works well for me.
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I’m gonna try a few with the tool and also do it the old fashion way. My question is how well do the grafts heal after being done with the tool.
Those that take seem to heal just fine, presumably the cut and fit were both good and thats why they survived.
Those that fail to take dont heal, they die…presumably because the cuts were not as clean and/or flush so poor contact lead to poor survival
Are you still using the AM Leo model? any idea if replacement blades are available.
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I bought one, but don’t use it, because it is awkward to hold up against a branch, plus you have to lug it around the orchard. And the results were no better than the exact knife gave.
I bought a Zenport and went back to cutting by hand. The wedge it cuts is much too short for my liking. It doesn’t create enough contact area, and I think that has a lot to do with failed grafts. Also - because the length of the wedge is so short - it makes it easy for the parts to shift and lose even more contact. The grafts with Zenport are not as sturdy because of the sharper angles of the cuts.
Anybody want mine? I find it useless.
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I stopped using mine too just because knives are so easy to use and convenient.
These tools are sometimes useful for beginners who might be scared of knives.
I would instead suggest a sharp grafting knife and heavy duty nitrile gloves for beginners. Even if you’re experienced. It’s nearly impossible to cut yourself if you’re wearing nitrile gloves unless you make a specific effort. Further they allow excellent tactile connection to the knife.
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Apologies for my late response, I’ve been super busy at work and I’m just now seeing this.
I use it a little, but I actually prefer the cheap knock-off because it’s lighter. Not sure if you can buy replacement blades or not, but they are typically really helpful over the phone if you want to give them a call.
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Last season i had 100%* success rate using a somewhat rare grafting tool from amazon. What i liked about this tool was how it makes getting a long clean cut for cleft grafting almost idiot proof. It also makes it a lot easier to avoid cutting myself with the grafting knife.
The tool itself is probably more geared towards an orchard worker frameworking a large tree. the top side of the tool has a sharpened edge, which i think could be used for chopping into a larger branch for scion placement.
I modified the tool by adding a small scrap of metal to have a flat surface to put butt of the scion wood onto. without this, there was jsut a thin metal strip to rest against which i found was sometimes splitting soft scions.
To use, you find the bud you want to save from the scion and be sure that side is away from the blade cutting.
After getting the cutter started in exact spot you want, squeeze like a pliers and a perfectly flat cleft cut through the scion is created.
If you wanted you could use a separate knife at this time to add a tongue cuts. My 100%* success last year was with just cleft cuts and electrical tape holding the cuts together.
The * I keep adding to 100% was because I had two grafts that failed, both came from the same scion so i think the issue was actually not the fault of my technique…
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A little more info. about the tool please. Manufacturer name? Model # ? Amazon link?
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This appears to be a clone of the scionon tool. The original is made in New Zealand. I used it when I was learning to graft.
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I ordered from AliExpress, I found a seller on Amazon also:
Amazon.com : FUJIWARA Garden Grafting Tool Multifunctional Pruning Kit V-Graft Seedling for Fruit Tree Grafting, Including 2 Different Sizes Graft Tapes, 1 Screwdriver, 1 Replacement Blade,Red : Patio, Lawn & Garden
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I got a cheap grafting tool, used it once and didn’t like the limited shape of the cut. I guess it could work on a super homogenous specific scion size; but a knife in hand just feels way more “right”. While I don’t make pretty cuts, all my failed grafts are time of year or something along those lines. Weak wrapping etc.
I much prefer the blade in hand to the tool, but the one above looks much better and practical than the one I got.
When I first started grafting just a few years back… I made this block jig that worked well for making a nice flat consistent whip cut. It could be used on scion or rootstock.
Worked well with a flat blade type utility knife.
I used it on my first 4 apple grafts… 100% success.
I have not used it since… as a life long hunter, trapper, fisherman, I have good knife skills and grafts like whip and tonge, modified cleft, bark grafts eventuallly became easy for me.
My super fancy grafting knife ?
Cost around 10.00.
It sharpes nicely.
TNHunter
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