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Last updated: 3 Apr 2022
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Get the Right Cut With the Best Perennial Splitter Blade

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By Garden Gate Review Team
Published 4:00 am
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The Nicest Perennial Splitter Blades of 2022
  • 1 Black Iron Perennial Splitter Blade
  • 2 Fiskars Perennial Splitter Blade
  • 3 A.M. Leonard Perennial Splitter Blade
  • 4 Zenport Perennial Splitter Blade
  • 5 Barebones Perennial Splitter Blade

A high-quality splitter knife or blade is one of the essential tools every gardening enthusiast must possess. They are widely used for snipping fruit or trimming stems to lifting bark and sawing branches. Perennial splitter blades are an all-in-one tool that comes in handy for almost all your garden tasks - from cultivating to cutting. While it might seem like a small irrelevant tool in your gardening kit, there are certain factors that one must consider before buying a splitter blade. We have been exploring some options and have shortlisted some of the highest-rated perennial splitter blades in 2022 for you.

The Nicest Perennial Splitter Blades of 2022

1

Black Iron Perennial Splitter Blade

– Best Overall
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THE SCOOP

This garden perennial splitter blade features a nice beveled edge that is perfect for slicing. There is also a serrated edge at the other side for cutting tough and rough roots. The knife is designed to provide a strong grip and complete control with its ergonomically shaped handle. You don’t have to worry about getting a wrist or palm cramp as you use the product in tough areas. 

Moreover, you can accomplish almost all garden tasks including digging, weeding, cutting, planting bulbs, and pruning easily with this blade. It features a 7-inch long blade that is rust-resistant and can complete the toughest of your garden jobs. 

Pros
  • 100% stainless steel blade
  • Depth measurement marks in inches and millimeters
  • Sturdy 5-inch hardwood handle for a strong grip 
  • Leather protectant sheath cover
Cons
  • Exposed steel tang
2

Fiskars Perennial Splitter Blade

– Runner Up
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THE SCOOP

This perennial splitter blade comes with an incredible cast-aluminum head. This is a high-quality polished blade with one sharp side and the other side has a serrated edge. The sharp side can be used to cut through plants, stems, bags, and any other thing while the serrated edge is perfect for carving hard surfaces.

It also features a large, padded handle. The oversized ergonomic design allows a super tight and controlled grip over the tool. You can even use this knife blade for digging hard soil. It makes slicing through sod a lot easier with this combination of a soft-molded grip and a sharp blade. 

Pros
  • Handle features a hang hole for easy storage
  • Pre-sharpened edges make it ready to use
  • Coated with a rust-resistant material
Cons
  • Light-duty, cannot saw or pry with it
3

A.M. Leonard Perennial Splitter Blade

– Contender
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THE SCOOP

This incredible soil knife comes with a one-piece molded composite grip that has been contoured to perfectly fit a normal-sized hand and give a comfortable grip. This perennial splitter blade is six-inches long stainless steel that has been coated with rust-resistant. This blade can easily withstand more than 300lbs of pressure on it. 

This perennial splitter blade has convenient depth markings on the blade in inches. These markings come in handy when planting bulbs or flowers. There is also a twine cutter with a sharpened notch for easy and quick cuttings. There are aggressive serration cut patterns that can cut through sod, roots, rope, and much more.

Pros
  • Extra-wide blade guard for better protection
  • The blade features a convenient cutting notch
  • 6-inches stainless steel, high-quality blade
Cons
  • Needs regular sharpening
4

Zenport Perennial Splitter Blade

– Honorable Mention
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THE SCOOP

This garden knife comes with a high-quality stainless steel blade for accurate and sharp cuts. You can cut through tough roots, grass, dig hard soil, sod and do much more with this blade. The handle is made of a sturdy acrylonitrile butadiene styrene material which makes sure your grip is strong and secure. 

The perennial splitter blade is shaped like a spear at the front for sharper cuts. One side of the blade is plain and flat that can be sharpened while the other side is serrated for difficult areas and tough surfaces. The blade length is 6-inches and has been coated with a rust-resistant material throughout its length for protection.

Pros
  • Bright orange handle for identification
  • Ergonomic grip design
  • Can be used as a scoop, weeding tool, or as a saw
Cons
  • Tip/point is just 1mm flat edge, not sharp enough
5

Barebones Perennial Splitter Blade

– Also Consider
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THE SCOOP

The barebones garden knife is one of the best garden perennial splitter blades you can find. The blade is made of sturdy aluminum with a high-quality copper handle. The length of this blade is 7.25-inches and is a stainless pommel. It’s a unique double-edged design with a straight blade on one side that you can sharpen anytime, and a serrated blade on the other side that can be used for rougher things.

Moreover, this splitter also has an integrated bottle opener and a twine cutter as part of its design. You can use this for almost everything. It also comes with a waxed canvas belt sheath that has copper accents. 

Pros
  • Highly durable stainless steel construction
  • Rust-resistant coating for protection and longevity
  • Multi-purpose use 
Cons
  • It has rough edges

Buyer's Guide: Find the Perfect Perennial Splitter Blade

Aspects To Consider Before Buying a Perennial Splitter Blade

You will need to keep the following considerations in mind:

Size and blade

Many splitter blades come in the size range of 5” to 11”. Smaller-length blades are perfect for digging. The longer the blade is, the more flexible it will be. You will have to choose the length that best suits your working style.

Handle

The handle is an essential consideration when it comes to garden knives. Make sure that the handle is comfortable and safe enough for you to exert force without injuring your hand. An uncomfortable handle will wear you out and may cause blisters or cramps. 

Cutting edges

Many perennial splitters come with dual-edge blades that have one side with serrated teeth. This feature makes them especially good for sawing while the straight side is perfect for cutting and chopping.

Markings

Gradient markings on the blade make it easier to gauge how deep you are digging. It also comes to use when removing weeds or planting flowers.

Material

You need to get a good stainless steel gardening blade to avoid corrosion and rust from damaging it in the long run. 440-grade and 420-grade stainless steel blades both work great.  

What Are Perennial Splitter Blades Used for?

Perennial splitter blades are used for the following gardening purposes:

Digging

Most perennial splitter blades are shaped very similarly to a trowel and can be used for digging. This is a useful feature and lets you transplant or plant new seeds without hassling for a different tool for every task. You should choose a heavy-duty knife with markings on it for accuracy in digging.

Cutting

You can cut branches, plants, bags of fertilizers, and much more. The serrated edge of such blades makes it very easy to slice and cut rougher and tougher things as well.

For more on how to divide perennials in particular, check out this helpful video by Ace's Hardware.

Removing roots

You can lift and remove all sizes of weeds from your garden with a good blade. The sharp blades cut the weeds straight away and take away the labor of pulling weeds out.

Pruning

You can use your splitter blade for regular pruning. The sharp blade effectively removes unwanted pests and unwanted branches from the plant that would otherwise affect the growth.

Tips To Maintain a Perennial Splitter Blade

Here are some useful tips:

  • Always store the knife after cleaning it thoroughly of all dirt
  • Store the blade in a dry and protected area
  • Clean and put oil on the blade if you’re storing it for a couple of days to protect it against corrosion and rust
  • Sharpen the blade at least once a year
  • If it has a wooden handle, make sure you apply it to finish (linseed or tung oil) when storing

Safety Precautions To Take When Using a Perennial Splitter Blade 

Here are some safety tips:

  • Always get a product that has been certified for its safety and quality
  • Wear gardening gloves when you’re using the splitter blade
  • Make sure the knife you’re using has a large handle for a more controlled grip
  • Comply with manufacturer’s instructions regarding the use
  • Keep the blade out of reach of children
  • Beware of electrical leads such as trimmers or electric mowers
  • Stand or sit properly so you never lose control or balance

Conclusion

Perennial plants require maintenance throughout the year and you need to invest in a good quality product to take care of such delicate plants. Most splitter blades are multi-functional and prove to be a great addition to your garden. Keeping that in mind, we’ve jotted down our top recommendations for first-rate perennial splitter blades in 2021 for you in this article. 

People Also Asked

Q: What is a Hori Hori knife?

A: It’s a multi-purpose tool that is mainly popular for a weeding or soil knife. 

Q: How sharp are perennial splitter blades?

A: They can be considered semi-sharp but the flat side can be sharpened further.

Q: Can you sharpen the serrated side?

A: Yes, you can but they don’t need it very often.

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By Garden Gate Review Team
The Garden Gate Review Team’s product reviews and in-depth guides are here to help you choose the best products for a beautiful and bountiful garden and backyard. The content is created by The Garden Gate Review Team. Garden Gate’s editorial staff is not involved. Garden Gate is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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