Originating from the misty mountains of Japan, where the Hori Hori knife was used to harvest vegetables and bonsai trees, it’s now regarded as a versatile tool across Western gardens. A quality Hori Hori knife will help you perform a multitude of tasks with ease such as removing weeds, seeding, planting, and harvesting. To help you navigate the vast amount of options, we’ve curated a list of the best Hori Hori knives of 2024. We find the Black Iron knife particularly exceptional because of its ergonomic, durable design and included accessories. Keep reading to learn more about this multipurpose tool and how to select the right one for your needs.
Our Top Picks For Hori Hori Knives
The Best Hori Hori Knives
Best Overall
If there is a perfectly crafted Hori Hori Knife with all the necessary accessories, it has to be the Black Iron Hori Hori Knife. Championing the charts with its beveled blade, it is sourced from quality stainless steel and will not corrode or rust over time. A serrated edge on one side makes this knife suitable for a variety of tasks, and a full tang with three metal pins ensures the durability and effectiveness of the knife.
Measurements are engraved on the blade in both inches and millimeters for additional convenience, and with a solid hardwood handle, you can expect nothing but the best ergonomics. Adding to its functionality, this Hori Hori knife also comes with a set of accessories, including a sharpening stone and a leather sheath.
Pros
- Ergonomic, hardwood handle
- Full tang features three metal pins
- Sharpening tool and sheath included
Cons
- The blade exceeds the handle
Multipurpose
Vintage-inspired, the Barebones Hori Hori Knife is designed to be as multifunctional as possible. With its stainless steel blade, you can expect this Hori Hori knife to be your next best gardening companion.
Featuring a hollow back that can aid in tasks that involve scooping and a twine cutter located at the end of the blade, it can also be repurposed as a bottle opener. With the blade featuring both a serrated and concave curve, its finished walnut handle hides the remaining blade for a full tang.
Pros
- Sourced from stainless steel
- Finished walnut handle
- Twine cutter doubles as a bottle opener
Cons
- Does not include accessories
Best Construction
Made in Japan by highly skilled artisans, there is no question about the authenticity and quality of the Nikasu Hori Hori Knife. Made of thick stainless steel, the blade of this knife is extraordinarily sharp with a beveled edge.
Featuring a full mid-tan, this knife is lightweight and features engraved measurements to help you make accurate measurements while seeding and planting. Rust-proof and ergonomic, this Hori Hori knife also comes with a leather sheath and a snap loop.
Pros
- Made in Japan
- Stainless steel construction
- Lightweight, rust-proof blade
Cons
- Does not include a handguard
Most Accessories
A knife is only as good as it is maintained, and when you get a quality leather sheath and an exceptional sharpening tool, your knife will last for years to come. The Truly Garden Store Hori Hori Knife exhibits these properties, and because it comes in a nice gifting box you can easily gift this knife to the gardening enthusiast in your life.
While the curved blade is sharp, the handle guard protects your hands from injuries. Made of 420 stainless steel, this Hori Hori blade also features measurement markings.
Pros
- Sharpening tool, sheath, and gift box included
- Handle guard for extra safety
- Sharp, stainless steel blade
Cons
- The stitching on the sheath may fray
Best Value for Money
Do you want a premium quality Hori Hori knife on a budget? If so, the Haushof Hori Hori Knife offers you the best of both worlds. With exceptional features at a low price point, this Hori Hori knife also comes with a leather sheath, as well as a concave blade with measurement markings.
Also featuring a strap, its polished exterior works to prevent it from corrosion and rust. The wooden handle with three rivets showcases the knife’s full tang.
Pros
- Good value for money
- Features measurement markings
- Polished to resist rust and corrosion
Cons
- The handle may stain your hands
Hori Hori Knives: A Buyer's Guide
Confused about where to start? Here is a buyer’s guide to the do’s and don’ts of Hori Hori knives.
What Is a Hori Hori Knife?
Named after the onomatopoeia of a digging sound, the Hori Hori knife is a gardening knife with a sturdy, wooden handle and a beveled blade. The translation of Hori in Japanese is the word dig, and while it excels in its job, there are various other functions this knife can offer.
What Is a Hori Hori Knife Used For?
Chop and slice weeds
You can use a Hori Hori knife to easily slice off weeds of all sizes plaguing your garden. Using the flat side of the blade, you can slice off the weeds in a lateral fashion. For larger weeds, it can be used as a chopping tool.
Seeding and planting
A Hori Hori knife can be used to loosen soil and make small rows of indentations to plant seeds or bulbs, like onions and garlic.
Transplanting
While you can use your hands to pull out saplings and smaller plants for transplantation, the roots of some saplings can be stubborn. A Hori Hori knife can help you loosen the soil without causing too much disturbance.
Harvesting
Even though a digging fork usually does the job, a Hori Hori knife is a far better alternative for root crops that require comparatively more strength to harvest.
What to Know: The Components of a Hori Hori Knife
Blade
The blade of the Hori Hori knife is specialized so that it serves a variety of different purposes. Its beveled design results in a concave blade which assists in tasks that require scooping. The blade is also serrated at one end, making it ideal for sawing, chopping, and cutting.
Length
With its average length being adequate enough to dig deep into both dry and wet soil, quality Hori Hori knives are typically fashioned from 440-grade or 420-grade stainless steel to promote durability and corrosion-resistant properties.
Tang
The tang of a knife is very important to consider. A full tang blade continues all the way down the end of the knife. This prevents the blade from snapping at the handle junction.
Handle
Unlike what you might assume, the handle of the Hori Hori knife is equally important as the blade. A sharp, functional blade will not serve you well unless a quality handle at the end offers excellent ergonomics.
Typically made of wood, the handle is polished and coated to prevent the wood from corroding and splintering.
With a rubberized coating offering a more secure grip, synthetic materials such as hard plastic are also sometimes used for the construction of the handle to add to its shape and comfort.
Handle guard
As a safety precaution, some Hori Hori knives feature a handle guard so your fingers or hands don’t get injured.
Features to Look Out For
Corrosion resistance
As a gardening tool, you should expect your Hori Hori knife to be constantly exposed to water, dirt, and harsh UV rays. To promote durability, we recommend you go for materials that are both 100% corrosion and stain-resistant. Stainless steel blades are your best bet when it comes to the blade, and when it comes to the handle it must be polished and coated to prevent it from rotting.
Measurement markings
Measurement markings, also known as numeric markings, are typically etched onto the concave side of the blade of a Hori Hori knife. This feature can come in handy when you need to determine the depth in which you’re digging.
Additional Accessories to Consider
Sheath
While most traditional knives include a leather sheath, modern options tend to lean more towards nylon sheaths and leather dupes. Some sheaths also feature a belt loop or a hanging loop for added convenience.
Sharpening tool
Incessant use can make a Hori Hori’s blade blunt. To make sure your knife is as good as new, you need to sharpen it on a regular basis. Hori Hori knives which include sharpening tools are far more economical, and when it comes to ease of use they make for a better option for beginners.
People Also Asked
Is it safe to use a Hori Hori knife?
Like most knives, you need to be careful of getting cut by the blade. Because the blade of the Hori Hori knife is considerably larger and does not typically feature a hand or finger guard, its usage requires extra caution.
How long do Hori Hori knives last?
When taken care of properly, Hori Hori knives can last for a lifetime.
What is half-tang?
Unlike a full-tang blade, a half-tang blade does not extend to the bottom of the handle of the knife. While these knives are lightweight, they are not recommended for heavy-duty tasks.
