I've got the Niwaki knife and have been a bit like you @Uff, not quite sure that it's any more useful than other tools I have. One of the best uses I have found is to use it to get pot bound plants out of their pots, inserting it at intervals around the pot edge. Works a treat! I do think that a serrated edge would make it more useful to cut roots and compost bags, but I use an old pair of secateurs for that. Plus, I've lost it several times underground and in the recycling bin - paint or stain the handle red and don't put it in your trug or bucket when weeding! I agree, it does look lethal!
I think I might go for that one for my sister, even though I couldn't be happier with my Niwaki. Just wondering also if either one is better for small, arthritic hands?
Yes I do @LG. I can't comment on which might be better for small arthritic hands. It does have quite a bulky handle.
Love mine (Niwaki)…..I promise, you’ll never look back. All my other hand tools have gone into retirement.
I volunteer at a well known garden open to the public ……it was they who introduced me to the wonders of a Hori Hori……..it is their go to tool for everything 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I asked for the Japeto Hori Hori for my birthday after seeing it mentioned on the forum, it's now one of my favourite garden tools along with the Japeto gardening snips. I'm now waiting for their shears to come back in stock hopefully before my next birthday .....hint hint to OH
I love my Hori Horis. (Completely unnecessarily, I have three of them (lost one, replaced, found original, then husband bought me one, not sure why). They are all Japanese with proper rivetted handles, and one is a Nawaki. All good.) They are brilliant for getting stubborn plants out (such as cranesbill) out of the ground. But I have rubbish, soil. (I am working on it...) If you have lovely friable soil you may not see the benefit.
I like my Niwaki hori hori very much but did think it would be a bit sturdier as it started to bend when I was levering something out of the ground. If you have resistant soil and tough roots this trowel from the de Wit Well Done range will not shirk. Unfortunately sourcing it in the UK is difficult
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for the fag ends of the aristocracy.
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
Yes I do @LG. I can't comment on which might be better for small arthritic hands. It does have quite a bulky handle.
I'm now waiting for their shears to come back in stock hopefully before my next birthday .....hint hint to OH
https://www.dewit.eu/en/products/trowels-forks/serated-planting-trowel