Niwaki Hori Hori & Sheath

Niwaki Hori Hori Japanese weeding trowel - one blade, many functions. A life-saving, game-changing garden tool!

Japanese trowel, all-round weeder, bulb-planter extraordinaire, and general subterranean rummager. The carbon steel blade runs right into the handle, so it’s tough and strong. Brilliant for planting bulbs, weeding and all sorts of garden stuff - but whatever you do, don’t take it as carry on luggage and remember: strong as it is, it’s not indestructible. Comes with a tough canvas sheath.

The new generation PRO version is forged from SK-5 carbon steel, making it sharper and tougher than other Hori (Horii? Horis?). It can be identified by the kanji inscripted Niwaki stamped into the blade - and the sheath with the dash of red - for proof of something very special. SK-5 Carbon steel is the same steel we use in our Garden Shears, with just the right proportions of Carbon, Chromium, Nickel, Manganese, Silicon, Phosphorous, Copper and Sulphur to create the perfect balance of tensile strength, edge retention and toughness – the holy trinity when it comes to hori horiing. It’s pretty damn good.

• Hori Hori:
• 300g
• 170mm blade, 300mm overall length
• Carbon Steel (Standard) or SK-5 Carbon Steel (Pro)
• Beech handles
• Made in Japan
  

• Sheath:
• 73g
• 285 x 75 x 25mm
• 16oz Canvas
• Made in China

These Hori Horis, like many garden tools, are made from carbon steel - this means they may, through regular use, stain (and eventually rust) and gradually lose their edge. Caring for them involves three things…

1. Correct Use:

• Japanese steel is hard and sharp, and can be more brittle than some people are used to - it will chip if abused
• Do not cut wire, metal, stone, plastic or any other hard material (even bamboo fibres and some very hard woods, especially knots and burrs, can damage steel edges)
• Do not twist or apply uneven pressure
• Cut diagonally across branches (not straight across) so you cut along the fibres
• Pay attention to our maximum cut dimensions, and don’t overdo it (shears are not loppers)
• Use the base of the blades, not the tips, for heavier cuts

2. Keeping Them Clean:

• Remove leaf resin, rust and gunk with a Crean Mate or wire wool and water
• Dry, wipe over with Camellia oil and store in a dry place

3. Keeping Them Sharp:

• New tools won’t need sharpening for some time, but after a while you’ll notice them gradually lose their edge, especially if you’re box clipping (you need REALLY sharp blades to get a good finish with box). Use the Niwaki Sharpening Stones for best results (#1000 grit is best for general sharpening).
• Sharpen Secateurs every couple of weeks
• Sharpen Shears and Topiary Clippers EVERY TIME you use them - the difference is amazing