If you asked me what item every gardener should have I would excitedly exclaim “a Hori-Hori stainless steel weeding knife  of course”! This one tool has literally replaced ALL of my other garden hand tools.

Smart Design

Traditionally used in Japan to collect specimens for bonsai (hori means “digging”), the knife has a heavy steel blade that is dished, with a serrated edge on one side and a sharpened edge on the other. It’s also got handy inch markings on the blade making it quick and easy to create your trenches and plant things at the right depth.

Stays Sharp

The one in this picture is over four years old now. Its still sharp after daily use through the summers. It also lived a whole winter under the snow in the pig pasture. 

Many Uses

We use it for a lot of different things including: planting, transplanting, grubbing, removing roots or deep-rooted weeds, dividing perennials, cutting open feed bags, cutting twine and impaling slugs.

Great Price/Value

You can buy a good Hori Hori knife for around twenty dollars. We got ours at Lee Valley on-line but recently also bought a second one on Amazon that was identical and about $5 cheaper plus free shipping. You can find it on amazon here. (afilliate link). Wherever you buy it make sure you get an authentic model with a stainless steel blade. I think this is a bargain especially for something that’s going to last years!

Tip: The wood handle camouflages itself really well in nature. Paint the handle or tie something bright to it. I have lost mine several times only to discover that it was “right there”.

Do you have a Hori-Hori knife? Are you as impressed as I am?

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