The 4 best hori hori knives for 2023
A hori hori knife is a versatile gardening tool that originated in Japan. These knives have long blades with a serrated edge on one side and a smooth edge on the other. Hori knives are used for a wide range of tasks in the garden, such as digging holes for transplants, cutting, pruning, or weeding.
What are the best hori hori knives?
This list gathered the three best hori hori knives for a gardener.
Barebones – Hori Hori Ultimate
The Hori Hori Ultimate has a smooth, durable walnut handle that fits seamlessly with the heat-tempered 6 ¾” pointed blade. It feels good in your hand, making it comfortable to use.
In addition to its versatility, the knife has an added twine cutter that doubles as a bottle opener. After a hard day’s work in the garden, you can enjoy a refreshing beverage.
Features – Hori Hori Ultimate
Vintage-inspired Japanese design
4CR13 Heat-tempered 6 ¾” pointed stainless steel blade
Knife edge and serrated edge
Through tang
Pommel base
Durable walnut handle
Twine cutter and bottle opener
Concave blade with 1″ markings
Features – Hori Hori Ultimate Sheath
- 900D polyester construction
Reinforced with heavy-duty rivets
Fits Hori Hori Ultimate (cannot be used with Hori Hori Classic)
Copper-finished snap closure
Metal belt clip
NISAKU NJP801 YAMAGATANA
The Nisaku Japanese Stainless Steel Yamagatana is a versatile tool that can be used for various outdoor applications. Its sharp serrated edge is made of stainless steel and can easily be cut through most materials.
This special edition model is forged with a higher quality DSR-1K6 stainless steel blade, making it more durable than traditional garden knives. Additionally, it requires minimal sharpening, making it low maintenance.
The tool has a sheath to protect the blade when not used.
With the inch markings on the Japanese stainless steel blade, you can ensure that your plants and bulbs are planted at the perfect depth for optimal growth. These markings allow for precise measurements, so you can be confident that your plants are receiving the necessary depth for healthy development.
Fiskars 340130-1001 Garden Hori Knife
This Fiskars Hori Hori Garden Tool is an all-in-one gardening tool that can be used for various tasks such as weeding, planting, splitting, transplanting, and more. Its extended tang adds durability to the tool, ensuring it will last for years.
This dual-edged hori knife has a stainless steel blade with a precision-ground edge that allows for multiple cutting purposes. Additionally, the serrated edge can be used for sawing through the thick growth. The forked tip of the knife makes it easy to weed out unwanted plants from your garden.
With easy-to-read measurements on the blade, you can accurately determine the depth to plant your seeds or bulbs. The soft grip handle makes it comfortable for extended periods, while the included hard plastic sheath with a belt loop makes it easy to store and transport.
The Fiskars Hori Hori Garden Tool has a full lifetime warranty, so you can trust that this tool will be a reliable addition to your gardening supplies for years to come.
HAUSHOF Hori Hori Garden Knife
The full tang blade of HAUSHOF Hori Hori Garden Knife is made of durable stainless steel, which enhances the tool’s strength and reliability. Its design ensures that the blade won’t break when used for heavy-duty gardening tasks, such as cutting, turning over soil, and removing stones and rocks.
This garden knife features a double-edged blade, making gardening tasks such as harvesting and planting more enjoyable. The straight edge is perfect for cutting, while the serrated edge can saw through hard roots.
The concave blade of the tool has clear markings in both inches and millimeters for easy reading. This helps you to measure soil depth accurately when planting seedlings or cuttings.
The comfortable wooden handle of this hori knife is riveted onto the blade with 3 rivets to ensure a secure grip, even in tough garden conditions. The leather sheath also makes it easy to carry and have ready for weeding.
How do I choose the best Hori Hori knife?
The correct hori garden knife is perfect for all sorts of garden jobs. Finding an excellent hori knife can easily be done using certain essential parameters. Consider blade material, length, and handle when buying these Japanese garden knives.
All hori knives have curved blades that can be used to dig, but they may differ. Many are straight with a curved edge, and others have two straight edges. The latter is versatile and can be used as trowels, knives, or smaller saws.
The blade sometimes has a measuring marking for measuring depth during excavation. Blades have varying surfaces, with higher-quality materials having higher corrosion tolerance and longer lifespan.
A hori with a high-quality stainless steel blade is generally the most popular choice and is available from trustworthy companies. Some cheaper knives may be made of inferior metal or aluminum, rusty and dulled with age.
What Do I Use a Hori Hori Knife for in My Garden?
Hori’s knives are useful to use at any landscape location. This versatile hori knife has numerous applications and some good examples. A Hori can be helpful with the following gardening tasks:
Transplanting
Using a hori hori knife for transplanting allows you to dig precise and deep holes, cut through tough soil or compost, and loosen roots without causing significant damage to the plant.
Firstly, select the plant you want to transplant and choose a suitable location in your garden. Next, dig a hole slightly larger than the plant’s root ball you are transplanting using the serrated edge of the hori hori knife. Then, use the smooth edge of the knife to remove the plant from its current location carefully. Take care not to damage the roots.
Once the plant has been removed, use the serrated edge of the hori hori knife to loosen any tangled or compacted roots carefully. Remove any dead or damaged ones. Place the plant into the hole you have prepared, ensuring its base is at the same level as in its previous location.
Finally, use the smooth edge of the hori hori knife to gently backfill the soil around the plant, pressing it down lightly to remove any air pockets. Water the plant thoroughly and add any necessary fertilizer or compost.
Harvesting
When using a hori hori knife to harvest your crops, use the serrated edge to carefully cut through the stem or stalk of the plant you want to harvest. It’s important to avoid damaging the plant and other surrounding fruits or vegetables.
For smaller and more delicate plants like herbs, you can use the sharp tip of the hori hori knife to cut individual leaves carefully or stems. After harvesting, use the smooth edge of the knife to trim away any excess stems or leaves.
It’s crucial to be aware of the surrounding plants to avoid damage. Always aim for clean cuts to keep your crops intact. Keeping the blade sharp is also important to ensure clean and precise cuts.
Pruning
To use a hori knife for pruning, start by identifying the branch or stem that needs to be pruned. Hold the knife by the handle and use the serrated edge to saw through it, applying steady pressure.
You can also use the sharp tip for smaller branches or stems. If the blade is sharp enough, you can make precise cuts. Again, having a sharp blade is crucial since dull knives can damage your plants.
Weeding
To use a hori hori knife for weeding, Use the serrated edge to carefully cut through the weed’s roots and remove it from the soil.
You can use the full length of the hori hori knife’s blade for larger weeds to slice through the stem and root system. After you remove the weed, use the smooth edge of the hori knife to flatten the soil and tidy up the area.
Cutting material
You can use a hori hori as a regular knife. It’s perfect for cutting through all types of materials, including twines or stings. You don’t have to carry different tools for these small tasks if you always have your hori.
Measuring
Some of the newer knives come with measurements. You can measure soil depth or plant spacing with them. It can make gardening much quicker when you don’t have to use tape measure all the time when transplanting, for example.
Create edging
To use a hori hori knife to create garden edges, first, decide where you want the edge. Hold the knife by the handle and score a line along the edge of the garden bed with the sharp tip. Then, use the full length of the knife’s blade to cut through the soil along the scored line.
Once you’ve finished cutting, use the smooth edge of the knife to tidy up the area and remove any weeds or grass. When creating garden edges with a hori hori knife, take your time, and be precise.
What extra accessories to look for when buying a hori knife?
You can extend your garden knife’s life by storing it properly or sharpen it regularly. These extras are worth considering.
Sharpening Tools
Even the best stainless steel blade needs sharpening occasionally. A sharp knife makes completing yard tasks quick and easy. Some hori knife has a whetstone and sharpening tool included in the sheath you buy.
The whetstone is a sharpening tool to help you to sharpen a tool quickly when using it. To sharpen the blade, keep the knife in the proper direction with the whetstone & pull a long and clean stroke around the knife’s edges.
Blade Sheath
The sheath is likewise an important part of the blade. A sheath protects the blade from damage if you are not using it. Look to buy products with upholstered or nylon materials.
The finest sheath has high-performance stitching and rivets to guarantee that the sheath will always stay intact. Look for Hori knives with sleeve loops to attach to belt lines or safety latches, which protect the blade against falling.
FAQ
This section helps you to know more from hori hori knives.
How sharp is a hori hori knife?
Hori blades are not quite as sharp as Chef’s knives but are nevertheless sharp enough to require caution during work. User must keep their hands away from cutting blades to avoid injury.
Can you sharpen a Hori Hori knife?
Yes, hori hori knives can be sharpen as regular knives. Having a sharp knife reduces the risk of injuries for both plants and humans. Working with a dull blade can cause damage to plants.
What does Hori Hori mean in Japanese?
The hori word means dig in Japanese. The “hori-hori” is the onomatopoeia for a digging sound.
Is stainless steel or carbon better for hori knives?
Carbon blades are known for better edge retention and are easier to sharpen. They are more prone to rust and corrosion. The stainless steel blade will not rust, but generally, they are harder to sharpen.
The choice between stainless and carbon steel depends on personal preference and the knife’s intended use.
