Hori hori

A Hori-Hori is a heavy serrated multi-purpose steel blade intended for gardening jobs such as digging or cutting. The blade is sharp on both sides and comes to a semi-sharp point at the end.

Description and uses

The size of the knife varies from eleven to fifteen inches in total length, depending on the size of the handle. The size of the blade can vary, but it is normally around 6 7/8” x 1 3/4”. [2] .

The stainless steel blade is often polished to a mirror-like finish and is usually paired with a scabbard.

The blade is razor sharp and is serrated for easy cutting through roots and tough soil. This is a universal tool that serves many functions including a knife, a saw, a digging tool, and even a measuring device for planting bulbs. [1] The blade can even be etched with a measurement markings so that the depth into the soil is easily obtained. [3]

The Hori-Hori has many uses in gardening such as weeding, cutting roots, transplanting, removing plants, sod cutting, and splitting perennials. [1] The blade is made of thick and strong carbon steel or a much stronger stainless steal that is concave shaped to make it ideal for digging and prying. [2] The blade traditionally has a large smooth wooden handle for comfortable use with one hand. This tool is also useful for opening bags of soil or any other tough to open gardening product. [3] This blade can even serve as a small hand axe. [3]

History

The Hori-Hori digging tool, first implemented in Japan, was originally used for excavating prized bonsai in the mountains. [2] With this tool, special care goes into every small step of the extraction as not to damage the plants fragile roots, unlike the bulky and possibly destructive method of a standard shovel. In Japan, people would climb onto steep dangerous cliffs to collect bonsai specimens.

The word “Hori” is a Japanese word for digging. [3]

Advantages

The Hori-Hori blade is a multi-purpose tool that combines several useful gardening necessities into one unit. Instead of carrying several tools to the garden site, this knife can be attached to the waist and used when needed.

The durability and sharpness of this blade allow it to surpass its intended purpose, and reach to be a general purpose knife to that is not limited to hunting and fishing. Because of the multi-function nature of this knife, it is well known as a tool that a serious gardener cannot live without.

The stainless steel blade will never rust and will stay sharp.

The Hori-Hori allows the gardener to have a personal touch with their garden. Elisabeth Ginsburgs article written May 16, 2004 was published in The New York Times newspaper expressing the usefulness of the Hori-Hori:

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9403E4DF1E3CF935A25756C0A9629C8B63&n=Top/News/U.S./U.S.%20States,%20Territories%20and%20Possessions/Connecticut

Disadvantages

Due to the earth color of the handle, the blade can be easy lost if it gets partially buried in soil. Also, the blade is very sharp and should be treated with the utmost care to prevent injuries while using.

References

1. The Wildflower Seed Company. 3/19/2008:

2. Across the Garden Fence. “Hori-Hori knife short Handle” 3/19/2008 :

3. The Gardener. “Hori-Hori knife with Holster” 3/19/2008:

4. Elisabeth Ginsburg. “The Well Dressed Yard.” New York Times 5/16/2004, 3/19/2008

External links

[http://www.gardenshoponline.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=112 Hori Hori Knife]
[http://www.gardenshoponline.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=327 Stainless Steel Hori Hori Knife]