Japanese hori hori soil knife wins wide following as an accessible, multipurpose gardening tool
Landscapers and older gardeners praise the lightweight, serrated soil knife for planting, weeding and low-impact yard work
A compact Japanese soil knife known as a hori hori has developed a broad following among professional landscapers and home gardeners for its versatility in planting, weeding and other yard tasks, according to interviews and reader recommendations.
The blade, sold in the United States for about $22 in popular retail listings, is a slightly concave, double-edged soil knife with a serrated edge on one side and a straight edge on the other. Fans say it can dig, pry out roots, cut sod, divide perennials, transfer plants and measure planting depth without taking up much space in a tool kit.
Professional landscapers who were interviewed for related reporting on lawn care recommended the tool. Kat Aul Cervoni, founder of Staghorn NYC Landscape Design and The Cultivation by Kat, mentioned the hori hori among tools she favors. Patrick Farrell, partner at EAS Landscaping LLC in Philadelphia, called it “indispensable when it comes to planting and clearing.” The knife gained additional attention after HuffPost readers posted recommendations in response to a Facebook callout requesting accessible gardening tools for people over 50.
One widely cited model is the Nisaku hori hori, made in Japan. That version weighs about 10 ounces, has a 7.25‑inch blade and a 5.25‑inch handle, and features inch markers stamped on the blade to help gardeners place seeds at desired depths. The blade’s stainless finish is promoted as rust- and scratch-resistant, and the product is sold with a sheath. Online listings show high customer ratings: reviewers have given it an average rating near 4.8 stars and thousands of five‑star reviews.
Long‑time gardeners who responded to the reader callout described specific ways the knife integrates into low‑impact and accessible gardening practices. Sue Mazer, 54, advised lightly misting mixed soil and using a hori hori to make individual holes for seeds, seedlings or transplants. Other users described employing the serrated edge to cut roots and sod, using the concave shape to scoop soil, and relying on blade markings to ensure consistent planting depth for bulbs and seeds.
Reviewers posted on retail sites that they use the tool for smaller garden tasks, from digging out weeds to cutting vines, and praised its balance and ease of cleaning. One reviewer wrote that after decades of gardening the hori hori had become a favorite tool, noting its lightness and versatility. Another said the knife’s inch marks made it especially helpful for precise seed planting.
The tool’s rise in popularity comes alongside increased attention to gardening equipment that reduces physical strain and supports sustainable yard practices. In reader responses collected for HuffPost coverage, gardeners and landscapers suggested a range of products meant to make outdoor work more accessible, including kneeling pads and benches, ergonomic hand tools, longer‑handled weeders, thorn‑proof gloves, and electric tools that reduce manual labor.
Several respondents emphasized ergonomics and injury prevention as drivers for tool choice. Compression gloves, gel knee pads, and latex‑coated gloves were recommended to protect hands and knees; D‑handle shovels and back‑saving handle attachments were cited for improved leverage and reduced bending; standing weeders and raised beds were recommended to avoid excessive kneeling. For heavier tasks, some gardeners recommended battery‑operated mowers, electric tillers and lightweight wheelbarrows to lower the physical toll of yard work.
Those who promote low‑impact gardening methods also described how relatively simple tools can encourage more sustainable home landscapes. Users said that well‑timed planting, careful weeding and use of perennial beds or raised planters reduce the need for frequent disturbance of soil and intensive chemical inputs, practices that gardeners and some landscapers associate with more resilient local plantings.
While many brands make hori hori‑style knives, users highlighted the importance of blade quality and handle comfort when selecting a model. Stainless blades are commonly recommended for longevity and lower maintenance, and some gardeners prefer blades with clear depth markers. The compact size and multiuse design were cited as advantages for gardeners who want a single, portable tool rather than a large set of specialized implements.
The horticultural community’s embrace of the hori hori reflects a blend of practical preference and the growing emphasis on making gardening accessible to a wider range of ages and abilities. Readers who responded to the callout suggested that pairing a versatile tool like a hori hori with other ergonomic aids makes regular yard care more feasible for older adults or people with limited mobility.
Manufacturers and retailers list hori hori knives alongside other hand tools and adaptive gardening products, and suppliers say demand has risen as more people take up home gardening for food, pollinator habitat and personal well‑being. Gardeners and landscapers quoted in coverage of the trend emphasized that choosing tools that reduce strain and suit the user’s preferred tasks can extend the time people spend caring for private and community green spaces.
The hori hori’s advocates argue its combination of digging, cutting and measuring functions reduces the number of separate tools needed for many common tasks. For gardeners seeking to expand or maintain plantings with minimal disturbance, or those looking for compact, durable gear, the hori hori has emerged as a frequently recommended option.