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6 Best Hori Hori Garden Knives (Japanese Gardening Knives)

Best Hori Hori Garden Knives (Japanese Gardening Knives)
Best Hori Hori Garden Knives (Japanese Gardening Knives)

Looking for a practical and versatile garden tool? If so, you must have a Hori Hori garden knife. It’s a Japanese garden knife used for planting, cutting, digging, transplanting, and weeding.

In addition to serving many functions in your garden, it can also measure soil depth when sowing seeds and planting bulbs.

If you are looking for a new garden knife or your old one has given up, here is a review of the 6 best Hori Hori garden knives.

Our Best Hori Hori Garden Knives

Fiskars 340130-1001 Hori Hori Garden Knife

Truly Garden Hori Hori Knife

4.7/5

Nisaku NJP650 Hori Hori Garden Knife

4.5/5

Black Iron Hori Hori Garden Knife

4/5

Sengreen Hori Hori Garden Knife

4.7/5

GARTOL Hori Hori Gardening Knife

3.8/5

1. Fiskars 340130-1001 Hori Hori Garden Knife

Technical specifications

  • Blade Material: Stainless Steel
  • Blade Length: 7 In (17.8 cm)
  • Tang: Extended Tang
  • Handle: 5 In (12.7 cm) Softgrip Silicone 
  • Full Length: 12 In (30.5 cm)
  • Weight: 0.8 lbs (0.4 kg)
  • Accessories: Hard Plastic Sheath With Belt Loop

The Fiskars 340130-1001 Hori Hori Garden Knife is an excellent gardening tool for beginners or experienced gardeners. It is the best and earns our top pick.

This high-quality Hori Hori knife is for those looking for a reliable, durable, and strong gardening tool.

This blade is made out of high-quality stainless steel that is rust-resistant. The serrated edge is perfect for sawing through the thick growth, and the fork at the tip is ideal for easier weed digging. The knife is easy to use and holds its sharpness for a long time.

It comes with an extended tang handle that provides added leverage and durability when digging. The handle has a comfortable grip and is ergonomically designed for increased control. It is lightweight yet sturdy enough to handle daily gardening and farming work.

It comes in a handy hard plastic sheath for easy storage and portability, protecting the knife from dirt and water.

Overall, this is a great tool that is definitely worth the price tag. It will be your lifetime garden friend.

Pros

  • Very strong and comfortable,
  • The blades are very sharp,
  • A durable and reliable tool for your garden,
  • Lifetime guaranty. 

Cons

  • More costly than other knives.

2. Truly Garden Hori Hori Knife

Technical specifications

  • Blade Material: 420 Stainless Steel
  • Blade Length: 7 In (17.8 cm)
  • Tang: Full Tang Handle
  • Handle: 5 In (12.7 cm), Beechwood
  • Full Length: 12 In (30.5 cm)
  • Weight: 1.15 lbs (0.5 kg)
  • Accessories: Leather Sheath and Diamond Sharpener

The Truly Garden Hori Hori Knife is a great all-purpose cutting blade that can be used when you’re out working in the garden. It also doubles as a mini shovel when you need one. This tool is more than just a knife!

The knife is made of heavy-duty steel with one serrated edge for easier cutting. The knife features a full tang with 3 rivets for extra strength. This means that the blade is solid all the way through the handle. That’s helpful for leverage and support, unlike many other knives that use a partial tang. The handle also has a metal safety guard that prevents accidental cuts to your hand.

The Truly Garden Hori Hori knife handle is made of beechwood, one of the toughest types of hardwood. This wood makes the handle very durable.

The knife also includes a heavy-duty leather sheath with a belt loop that protects the blade while not in use.

In addition, the knife comes with a diamond sharpening rod to keep the blade sharp and a 5-year warranty.

Overall, the Truly Garden Hori Hori Garden Knife is the perfect gardening knife for beginners, professionals, and hobbyists alike.

 Pros

  • Sturdy and durable,
  • It has a full tang,
  • The safety blade guard gives protection to your hand,
  • The diamond sharpening tool is convenient.

Cons

  • The leather sheath stitching will wear off over time,
  • Slightly heavier than other models.

3. Nisaku NJP650 Hori Hori Garden Knife

Technical specifications

  • Blade Material: Japanese Stainless Steel
  • Blade Length: 7.25 In (18.4 cm)
  • Tang: Partial Tang Handle
  • Handle: 5.25 In (13.3 cm) Wooden
  • Full Length: 12.5 In (31.7 cm)
  • Weight: 0.7 lbs (0.3 kg)
  • Accessories: Leather Sheath

Nisaku NJP650 Hori-Hori Garden Knife is a Japanese-designed and crafted knife for gardening and outdoor activities. It is the perfect garden tool for any gardener. 

The knife features a robust, durable, and rustproof Japanese stainless steel blade. The knife is lightweight and comes with a sturdy handle.

The blade is concave, making digging and planting easy. It has a sharp beveled edge for slicing and a serrated opposite edge for cutting tree limbs. The blade has inch and millimeter markers engraved to ensure that the planting and seeding are done at the correct depth. 

The wooden handle has only a partial tang but is comfortable and long-lasting. The handle is slightly expanded towards the blade. However, it lacks a safety guard.

The knife comes with a sheath made from soft material that protects the blade when not in use.

Overall, Nisaku NJP650 Hori-Hori Garden Knife is a great gardening tool for experienced gardeners. It is very versatile, lightweight, and rust-resistant.

Pros

  • Lightweight, durable and sturdy,
  • Razor-sharp blade made out of Japanese steel.

Cons

  • No safety handguard between the blade and the handle.

4. Black Iron Hori Hori Garden Knife

Technical specifications

  • Blade Material: Stainless Steel
  • Blade Length: 7 In (17.8 cm)
  • Tang: Full Tang Handle
  • Handle: 6.5 In (16.5 cm), Hardwood
  • Full Length: 13.5 In (34.3 cm)
  • Weight: 0.9 lbs (0.4 kg)
  • Accessories: Leather Sheath and Sharpening Stone

The Black Iron Hori Hori Garden Knife is a knife that you will love to use in your garden.

It features a rigid stainless steel rust-resistant blade that will cut through roots and tough plants without any effort. The blade has inch and millimeter markers engraved to ensure that the bulbs and seeds are planted at the correct depth.

This product comes with a full tang, a nice hardwood handle, a smooth leather sheath, and a sharpening stone.

Full-tang construction with three metal pins allows for increased force and leverage. The hardwood handle provides enough strength and comfort while using the knife for gardening purposes.

A sturdy leather sheath protects the knife from damage when not in use, and the sharpening stone will keep the blade sharp.

Overall, this product is an excellent addition to any gardener’s kit!

Pros

  • Heavy-duty and sturdy,
  • Full tang handle gives more force,
  • Leather sheath protects the blade.

Cons

  • No handguard between the blade and the handle,
  • The sharpening stone is not great.

5. Sengreen Hori Hori Garden Knife

Technical specifications

  • Blade Material: Stainless Steel
  • Blade Length: 7.5 In (19.1 cm)
  • Tang: Partial Tang Handle
  • Handle: 5 In (12.7 cm), Durable Plastic
  • Full Length: 12.5 In (31.8 cm)
  • Weight: 0.6 lbs (0.3 kg)
  • Accessories: Real Leather Sheath With a Belt Loop

The Sengreen Hori Hori Garden Knife is a must-have tool for gardening. It is a lightweight and practical gardening tool, ideal for those who garden all year round.

The blade is made of polished stainless steel. It has a sharp edge that will cut through any weeds or roots and a serrated edge suitable for cutting other tough materials.

This gardening knife has a sturdy, contoured, ergonomic handle shaped for maximum control. The handle is made of durable plastic that is highly comfortable for the hand.

There are depth markings in inches on the blade to know the exact depth when digging, sowing, or planting.

Overall, if you don’t mind the plastic handle and looking for a strong, durable, comfortable garden knife that will help you do the job quickly and efficiently, the Sengreen Hori Hori Garden Knife is the perfect choice for you.

Pros

  • Offers more comfort and grip with a non-slip plastic handle over wooden handles,
  • Ideal for performing heavy-duty garden tasks,
  • The manufacturer offers a 100% 90-day money-back guarantee.

Cons

  • Due to the plastic handle, it does not have a traditional look of a Hori Hori knife.

6. GARTOL Hori Hori Gardening Knife

Technical specifications

  • Blade Material: 440 Stainless Steel
  • Blade Length: 7.1 In (18.0 cm)
  • Tang: Full Tang Handle
  • Handle: 5.3 In (13.5 cm) Wooden
  • Full Length: 12.4 In (31.5 cm)
  • Weight: 0.7 lbs (0.3 kg)
  • Accessories: Cowhide Protective Sheath and Sharpening Whetstone

GARTOL Hori Hori Garden Knife is a good garden knife for beginners. It is an excellent multipurpose garden tool suitable for many gardening tasks.

The blade is made of stainless steel, rust-resistant, sturdy and durable. This knife is equipped with 2 working edges that are sharp on both sides. The serrated edge on one side can be used for sawing. The other side has a blade that is great for cutting.

The handle is made of strong and durable wood that is lightweight and will not weigh you down. The handle is a full tang, meaning the stainless steel blade material runs through the entire handle and is secured with 3 rivets adding strength and stability. 

The leather protective sheath adds an extra layer of safety and prevents accidental injuries when carried around.

Overall, this is a comfortable, sharp, and stylish knife for people who love gardening.

Pros

  • Sturdy and durable,
  • High-quality, rust-resistant stainless steel blade,
  • It has a full tang,
  • High-grade leather protective sheath,
  • The safety blade guard gives protection to your hand.

Cons

  • The handle is not ergonomic.

Our Top Picks For The Best Hori Hori Gardening Knives

Best Overall

Fiskars Hori Hori Garden Knife

5/5
Best Wooden Handle

Truly Garden Hori Hori Garden Knife

4.7/5
Best Plastic Handle

Sengreen Hori Hori Garden Knife

4.7/5

Why Get A Hori Hori Garden Knife and What Is Its Purpose

We, gardeners, are always looking for the next best thing for our gardening tool collection. We want to find the perfect tool to make our work faster and easier. The Hori Hori garden knife is an example of a great garden tool.

It is designed to be lightweight and small yet strong enough to cut through tough roots or thick plant stems.

And while this knife can be used as an all-purpose cutting blade, it also doubles as a mini shovel when you need one! 

But that’s not all! Let’s discuss all that you can do with this great garden tool.

Cutting

The Hori Hori garden knife comes with a sharp and strong blade. One side of the blade is excellent for pruning soft-stem plants, cutting roots, and even cutting rope when securing plants. This tool can replace your regular garden knife.

Sawing

The other side of the blade has a sharp serrated edge. This serrated edge is perfect for sawing tougher stems, small branches, or large roots. It is great to cut back on any unwanted growth.

This serrated edge is also great for cutting through plastic bottles when repurposing them.

Digging

The blade is designed to be used as a mini garden shovel. The blade is concave, making digging around plants, weeds, and rocks easy or simply digging holes wherever and whenever you need one.

Sowing

The blade can be used as a sowing tool. The Hori Hori garden knife has depth markings in inches or millimeters engraved on the blade to ensure that the planting and seeding are done at the correct depth.

Transplanting

The blade is designed to be used as a mini garden hoe. It can be used as a mini hoe for loosening soil before planting or transplanting.

Harvesting

This garden knife is ideal for harvesting all your garden produce: fruits, vegetables, and herbs. 

Weeding

The blade is designed to be used as a mini weed puller. The blade is concave, which makes it easy to remove weeds. Some Hori Hori knives are designed with a fork at the tip, perfect for easier weed pulling.

Splitting

Quality Hori Hori garden knives are made of high-quality stainless steel, which is strong and durable. It allows the tool to be used as a wood-splitting tool. 

For example, if you have a small branch that needs to be split into two parts, you can use the Hori Hori garden knife to do so. 

What to Look for When Buying a Hori Hori Knife

When buying a Hori Hori garden knife, you must consider several factors. These are:

  1. Blade
  2. Handle
  3. Tang
  4. Protective Sheath
  5. Sharpener

Blade

The most important feature that should be considered is the blade. Hori Hori Garden knife should have a dual-edged blade (serrated edge and sharp straight edge) to perform multipurpose garden tasks. The serrated edge is typically used for sawing. The sharp plain edge serves as a knife for cutting and slicing.

Hori Hori blade should be made from stainless steel. As garden tools are mostly exposed to dirt and water, stainless steel will remain corrosion free.

Pro Tip: If the blade is not stainless steel, it will rust very quickly. Even if the blade is coated with rust-resistant protective paint (it looks great in the pictures), it will eventually scratch off, and when it does, it will rust.

Hori Hori blade should also be concave. This allows for better digging and scooping of the garden soil. 

Also, as an extra, it is convenient to have the depth measurement engraved on the blade. It makes such a difference when sowing or planting.

Handle

Hori Hori gardening knife is continuously used for light and heavy tasks, for short and long periods. The handle should be comfortable to hold and should fit naturally in hand.

So, for this reason, an ergonomic handle with a good grip is essential. If the handle is not well-built, has a poor grip, and is not ergonomic, it will strain your palm and wrist.

But it’s not just about comfort. A sturdy handle is a must for any tool. Hori Hori garden knives usually have either wooden or plastic handles. 

Wooden handles, especially those made of hardwood, give that original Hori Hori look, longevity, and strength. They look more appealing, and they feel good to the touch. While plastic is easier to mold into a nice, ergonomic handle that fits perfectly into the palm and is as tough. 

Other knives, such as Fiskars Hori Hori garden knives, have a Softgrip silicone handle, which is ergonomic and has an excellent grip.

Tang

Tang is the blade’s extension that fits securely into the knife’s handle. When the tang extends to the end of the handle, it is called a full tang. If the blade is halfway into the handle, it is called partial tang (or half tang). There are pros and cons to both types of handles.

  • A full tang handle is more durable and has better balance, making the knife heavier. Knives with this type of handle can be used in heavy-duty jobs.
  • A partial tang handle is lighter and easier to carry around. It feels more comfortable in your hand, but it is less durable. 

Protective Sheath

The importance of a protective sheath for Hori Hori garden knife is mainly overlooked. It is one of the essential accessories that protect your garden knife from scratches and nicks. 

The most common protective sheaths are made of leather, nylon, canvas, or plastic.

  • Leather sheaths are traditional and classic. They are easy to clean, durable, comfortable, and water-resistant.
  • Nylon and canvas sheaths are modern sheaths that are flexible, durable, and comfortable. These can easily withstand everyday use.
  • Plastic sheets give the most protection to the knife. They are comfortable, durable, and effortless to clean.

Sharpener

A suitable sharpening device is vital for any tool. This is especially true with a garden knife. If the blade is not regularly sharpened, it can get dull. The best way to keep a sharp edge is to sharpen it every few months. 

Any regular sharpening tool is suitable for the cutting side of the Hori Hori garden knife. So you don’t need to overthink it.

For the serrated edge side of the knife, a specific sharpener called a sharpening rod is required. 

Tips On Caring and Maintaining Hori Hori Garden Knife

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How Long Should a Hori Hori Knife Last?

A good quality, well-maintained Hori Hori garden knife can last up to 10 years or even longer. In general, any knife will last a long time if it is handled properly and cared for.

The wooden handle will probably be the first thing to go. Especially if it is a softwood handle. So, maintain the knife well, giving particular attention to the wooden handle.

How Sharp Is a Hori Hori Knife?

The knife is sharp enough for all the garden tasks. But, as this knife is used for tasks such as digging, it tends to lose its sharpness faster than other knives used for cutting only.

Not to worry! It is very straightforward to sharpen the blade.

Are Hori Hori Knives Safe to Use?

It is safe to use a Hori Hori Knife. There are no major safety issues in using a Hori Hori garden knife. However, like all other knives, they should only be used with care.

When not in use, store it in its sheath.

What Does a Hori Hori Knife Looks Like?

The Hori Hori Knife is a gardening knife with a concave blade which is excellent for minor digging tasks.

This blade has two sharp sides. One side is your regular knife, while the other has a serrated edge. This edge is used for sawing.

What Is a Hori Hori Knife?

Hori Hori knives are used extensively in Asian cultures to harvest fruits and vegetables, trim plants, and weeding.

These knives can be used for various tasks, so you may not need any extra tools. They come with a razor-sharp blade, allowing the user to cut through thick roots or stems. They are perfect for gardening and landscaping work. The blade has a slight curve to get right down in the weeding area, under, and around the plants.

With this knife that doubles as a mini shovel, you will minimize the requirement for any extra tools when working in your backyard.

It is small, lightweight, and strong enough to handle even the most challenging jobs.

How Do You Use a Hori Hori Knife For Weeding?

Hori Hori knives are good for weeding as the blade has a slight curve to get under and around plants without too much effort. It can cut through roots around weeds’ bases without much effort.

Where Are Hori Hori Knives Made?

The original Hori Hori knives were made in Japan. Nowadays, they are made all over the world.

Conclusion

Having a garden on your property is great, but it can be hard to find the right tools for the job without spending too much money.

So, if you are looking for the next best thing for your gardening tool collection, the Hori Hori garden knife is a must.

This knife is designed to be small and lightweight, yet it is strong enough to handle even the most challenging jobs.

Hopefully, you got the answer to the best Hori Hori garden knives. If you enjoyed reading our article, check out other similar articles in our “Garden Tools” section.

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