NISAKU NJP650 The Original Hori Hori Namibagata Japanese Stainless Steel Weeding Knife, 7.25-Inch Blade

To call this a workhorse is not exaggerated. This tool is a great tool for gardening. The week I got my Tori Tori, I put it through the ringer. Partly on purpose, but mostly because of a project I should have finished months ago, but dreaded doing. First Task: The house I bought had a Cyprus tree in a bad spot that needed to be taken down. I did that right off the bat, but left the stump because it was in a tight spot and I knew it was going to be a pain because I couldn’t used a stump grinder. The stump had so many roots it was maddening to even dig around to even access the stump. Enter Tori Tori (Once I remembered I had just received it the day before) the shape and sturdiness made digging pretty easy and surprisingly quick, but my chore turned into a game almost when I got to the hundreds of roots I needed to clear so I could use my sawzall on the main stump without killing my saw… Anyway, I found that the sawing side of my Tori Tori will not only saw, but chop like a champ. I couldn’t believe it. If you know anything about Cyprus, it is a very hard wood. I was almost in awe. No nicks or scratches.2nd Task: I had some Dead Shiso plants I wanted to cut to the ground, but leave the roots to compost. I could have used my shears, but hey, Tori Tori is there and I would have to go get the Shears. In no time I cut right through the 1/4 inch stalks and even cut a couple apple branches that needed to go.3rd Task and maybe my favorite. I needed to take care of a bad decision I made when I put dirt and compost in my gardening area over the top of old larger chunked mulch thinking it would compost quickly enough. I was wrong and I wanted to fix the issue before adding in this years compost and early plantings. There was a small section of the garden that is much more shaded than the other parts and thanks to recent snow and rain, the first 3 inches of ground was frozen solid. My Sturdy Manure Fork, My Fiskars hand Trident and My Shovel were useless. Enter Tori Tori and the resistance was crushed with ease. How does a small tool crush the competition like that. The tool didn’t even struggle.I LOVE this tool. I do recommend wearing gloves, as it could do a lot of damage to your flesh if you slipped, but I’m glad it is sturdy and sharp.I highly recommend this product. I’m sure if you did something stupid like put it in concrete hard dirt up to the handle and bent it back with all your might, you might bend it or break it, but you’d have to really be trying to break this thing. I can’t imagine much more harsh treatment than what I did to mine and it didn’t seem to even notice.Update 5/6/2022: 3 years later and I still love this tool. I still have the original tool but now I have two. One for me and one for my wife. It was getting hard to share. So, I still highly recommend this tool. The new one is still made super sturdy and still at a reasonable price.Only possible negative if you are used to cheaply made tools, is this tool is sharp. Remember, it’s several tools in one. Knife, saw, shovel, measuring tool and in my case, I even use the saw side like an axe. You can’t understand how much I love this tool for various garden tasks.

Great Hori-Hori. First, let me get this out of the way: The sheath is pretty crummy. I knew that before ordering, however. I could have ordered either the same Nisaku hori-hori with an upgraded sheath, or one of Nisaku’s pricier variants with somewhat better sheaths, but didn’t want to spend the extra money just for an upgraded sheath with this hori-hori, and I don’t see the value in the so-called premium hori-hori variants. I can easily fab my own sheath from either cordura or leather.My wife and I have used a hori-hori for years. We currently have a Barnel that has held up beautifully but I wanted to pick up another hori-hori so we had two. Barnel or Nisaku were my 1st choices and the Nisaku is far more easily found. The Nisaku hori-hori is better finished than the Barnel, though the Barnel has a decent sheath.The Nisaku is nicely made. The steel is appropriately thick and is highly polished, which helps whether digging, cutting, or cleaning. It arrived very sharp on both blades, though honestly I think sharpness in a hori-hori is overrated. Our years-old Barnel is quite dull as I’ve never bothered to sharpen it. It’s in constant use for potting, garden maintenance, and weeding (including lawn), and it cuts through turf and roots with no problem with the serrated blade. (I seldom use the plain blade side.)The Nisaku’s typical blocky Japanese hori-hori wood handle has some sort of light finish on it, which I will sand off in order to treat the handle with linseed oil. That will take perhaps 5-10 minutes and the handle will hold up far better than with the original finish.Short of a defective blade, which can happen with any brand, I just don’t understand how anyone breaks or bends any of the better hori-horis out there when used as intended. It’s a gardening tool, not a pry bar, not for hardpan breaking or digging, not for cutting hard dry roots, etc. I weed and repair tough St. Augustine sod all the time with one and the action is quite gentle. Same with weeding garden beds, even heavily weed-choked. The motion is not the vertical stab and pry you would use with a weeding fork. Rather, you slide the blade into the soil at a low angle so as to go just below the weed roots, following with a slight low-pressure push down on the handle – just enough to allow removing the weed, roots and all. This should not feel like prying. Barring entanglements with plants or tree root infiltration , I can usually weed out everything in reach from a single position in seconds and the soil is minimally disturbed.Hori-hori knives are often billed as all-purpose camping and hunting knives. Don’t believe it! The blade is all wrong, the steels are wrong, and the handles are wrong.The Nisaku is an excellent hori-hori. Experiment with it and learn to use it gently. It’s incredibly fast and efficient when used properly and will last for years.

A Must-Have Gardening Tool – Five Stars. I recently purchased the Original Hori Hori Namibagata Japanese Stainless Steel Weeding Knife, and I am absolutely thrilled with its performance. This gardening tool has become an indispensable companion in my yard, making weeding and various other gardening tasks an absolute breeze. Without a doubt, it deserves a solid five-star rating!First and foremost, the build quality of this Japanese stainless steel weeding knife is outstanding. The blade is exceptionally sharp and sturdy, allowing it to effortlessly cut through even the toughest weeds and roots. Its durability is impressive, and I can tell that this tool is designed to withstand the test of time.One of the standout features of the Hori Hori is its versatility. It’s not just a weeding knife; it’s a multi-purpose tool that can handle various gardening tasks. I’ve used it for digging, transplanting, cutting through compacted soil, and even dividing plants. The serrated edge on one side of the blade is perfect for sawing through thick roots, while the inch markings on the other side come in handy for measuring planting depths.The comfortable and ergonomic handle of the Hori Hori is a delight to hold. It provides a firm grip, allowing me to have precise control and reducing hand fatigue during extended use. The handle is also well-balanced, making it easy to maneuver the knife through tight spots and hard-to-reach areas.Another aspect that I appreciate about this weeding knife is the thoughtful design of the accompanying sheath. It fits snugly over the blade, ensuring safe storage and protecting the user from accidental cuts. The belt loop feature is a nice touch, as it allows for convenient transportation while working in the garden.In terms of aesthetics, the Hori Hori boasts an elegant and timeless design. The stainless steel blade has a beautiful finish, and the wooden handle adds a touch of traditional craftsmanship. It’s clear that attention to detail has been given to both the functionality and the visual appeal of this tool.Overall, I cannot recommend the Hori Hori, The Original Hori Hori Namibagata Japanese Stainless Steel Weeding Knife, enough. Its exceptional quality, versatility, and user-friendly design have made it an indispensable tool in my gardening arsenal. If you’re a gardening enthusiast or a professional landscaper, investing in this weeding knife will undoubtedly elevate your gardening experience. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!

It’s great. Happy I bought. This is a great product for the garden. It’s a heavy duty knife like tool that’s easy to use. Good grip even for arthritic hands. Perfect size and weight. Blade is thick enough to slice into planters to remove overgrown roots etc. Etc

Bought a second. Bought on a whim after my husband announced I was gardening this year having previously banned me from plants following “The Pumpkin Incident.” We jumped in with a 25’x45’ mess of a plot laid out with no rhyme, reason or plan. Needless to say when the weeds joined the battle, they won. But this was our finest weapon in a losing war. We hacked, we whacked, we cut and we trimmed. We buried it in mud and caked it in dirt, soaked it with rain and with tears. This little gardening knife soldiered on.I’m a average woman married to Big Scary Man. His wedding band is about the size of a kitten collar. We both find the handle comfortable on this knife. Seriously, that’s a rarity, and the reason why I own 3 bread knives. We ended up avoiding doing garden chores together so we didn’t have to share the knife. Finally purchased another so we could spend time weeding together again. When we foray into the suburban tomato jungle again next year we will have our trusty hori hori knives in hand.

I cannot say how much I appreciate this tool. From planting to pulling out dandelions it can’t be beaten. It penetrates dry soil more easily than any hand held tool I have owned before because the blade is narrow and extremely stiff, yet it is wide enough to dig a larger planting whole if required. Though the serrated edge gets a bit dull with time, it endures and cuts through roots quite well most of the time. I have owned seven of these (two in reserve in case they disappear from the market LOL!). Why so many if they are durable? Well I suspect three of them made it to the municipal composting facility as I left them in the weed bucket, covered them and unknowingly send them on their way. I now either paint the handle red or cover it with red tape – it helps a lot!

Awesome. Don’t often give 5 stars but I’ve had this garden knife for a few weeks now and it is truly awesome. It’s sturdy and very sharp. (Be careful) Cuts through weeds and crab grass like no problem. I have arthritis and lots of trouble with my hands and this is making a huge difference in my ability to work in my garden that I love. I think it would make a great gift for any one who loves flowers but hate weeds.

Outstanding Hori Hori – quality made, works perfectly, great price. I’m one of those people who has to be really motivated to leave a review, and in this instance I could hardly wait to brag about this Nisaku Hori Hori. To me, Japanese knives are the best in the world and this one proves it. I am a landscaper and this is by far the best knife I’ve ever used on the job. It’s exceptionally sharp – slices through sod almost as if it was (proverbially) going through butter. The high quality stainless steel blade is sturdy enough for digging as well. For the price, it’s a no-brainer. I had to order two more for my sisters as well. One of the best things I’ve ever bought on Amazon. Thank you Nisaku!

Great garden tool. Cuts roots easily, but use caution, it’s sharp. Strong steel. Sheath is cheesy. Great for planting anything, weeding, cultivating or self defense from enemy garden ninjas

Versatile Garden Tool: Hori Hori Stainless Steel Knife for Weeding, Planting, and More. I recently purchased the Hori Hori Namibagata Japanese Stainless Steel Weeding Knife and I have been thoroughly impressed with its performance and versatility in my garden. This tool is more than just a weeding knife—it has proven to be an invaluable multipurpose tool for various gardening tasks.The Japanese stainless steel construction of the Hori Hori Namibagata weeding knife ensures durability and longevity. It is incredibly sharp and well-suited for weeding, cutting through tough roots and stubborn weeds with ease. The serrated edge is particularly effective for slicing through hard-to-reach weeds and untangling roots. Moreover, the straight edge of the blade is perfect for precision cutting and dividing perennials.Beyond weeding, I have found that the Hori Hori knife is excellent for planting and transplanting due to its sharp, pointed tip. Its measurements along the blade also make it a helpful tool for spacing and depth control during planting. The concave shape of the blade provides an effective means for digging and excavating soil, making it exceptionally versatile in various gardening tasks.The sturdy wooden handle provides a comfortable grip and allows for precise control, further enhancing its usability. Additionally, the reinforced tang construction ensures the blade is securely attached to the handle, promising long-term durability and stability.Overall, the Hori Hori Namibagata Japanese Stainless Steel Weeding Knife has become an indispensable tool in my gardening arsenal. Its multifunctional design, durability, and precision make it an essential companion for weeding, planting, dividing, and many other tasks in the garden. I highly recommend this tool to any gardener looking for a reliable, multipurpose tool that delivers exceptional performance across various gardening activities.