The Nisaku Hori Hori is what happens when you combine a knife, a trowel, and a saw – and make it razor-sharp, elegantly designed, and purpose-built for the garden.
Roughly translating to “dig-dig” in Japanese, the Hori Hori is far more than a simple gardening knife. With a dual-edged stainless steel blade, one side sharpened and the other serrated, this tool is as at home slicing through roots and cutting twine as it is sawing through stubborn soil. The pointed tip makes quick work of compacted earth and clay.
The scalloped 18.5 cm blade mimics the profile of a trowel, ideal for planting seedlings and bulbs. Depth markings in both centimetres and inches on the blade’s reverse ensure consistent spacing and depth or your seedlings.
Made in Japan and built for the long haul, this garden knife features a smooth wooden handle for comfort and control. A vinyl sheath with retention clip and belt loop keeps it by your side, ready for anything from weeding to harvesting.
Once you’ve used it, you’ll wonder how you ever gardened without it.
The original Nisaku Hori Hori
Hori means “dig” in Japanese. Part trowel, part knife, part saw, the Hori Hori is the tool gardeners pick up first and put down last. This is the genuine Nisaku, made in Japan from Tomita stainless steel.
4.96 / 5
from 179 verified reviews
3,100+
sold by JTA in the last 12 months
Made in Japan
genuine Nisaku brand
Before 12pm
orders ship the same day from Sydney
How it works
Every part of the blade has a job. Once you know them, you'll stop carrying three tools around the garden.
Pointed tip
Punches into compacted soil and clay, and gets right under tap roots.
Sharp straight edge
Slices through roots, twine, bags and stems cleanly.
Serrated edge
Saws through thick roots, clumps and turf.
Concave blade
Scoops soil like a trowel for planting seedlings and bulbs.
Depth markings
Etched in mm and inches, so you plant at the depth on the label.
Beech handle and sheath
A comfortable wooden handle, plus a vinyl sheath with belt loop and retention clip to keep it on your hip.
What you'll use it for
Push the tip in beside the weed at an angle and lever it out, root and all. Dandelions, thistles and bindii come out whole.
“It slices through the plants deep underground allowing easy removal of leaves and flowers. There is no divot in the lawn afterwards ensuring a perfect finish.”Mark R.
Dig straight down and check the markings on the blade. No more guessing how deep 10cm is.
“I have a couple of wicking beds so the measurements are fabulous, I know exactly how deep I am going so no holes in the geotextile fabric!”jennifer R.
Use the serrated edge to saw through crowded clumps, then lift each piece with the blade.
“I recently used it to saw through and dig up a big iris clump.”Leanne N.
Run the blade around the inside of the pot to free root-bound plants without wrecking the roots.
“Great tool for digging, removing big weeds, getting plants out of pots where soil is welded to sides of pot.”Elizabeth A.
Cut twine, open bags of mix, trim stems and harvest veg with the straight edge.
“I use it for everything. Digging up weeds, hacking at things, harvesting veg, prying things open.”Jenifer B.
Tough enough for weeding days on reserves and rough ground, not just garden beds.
“After trying all sorts, our volunteer group has found the hori hori knife to be the best all round tool for tackling the most common perennial weeds (veldt grass and gladioli) in our bushland reserve in Perth.”Graham
Why buy it from JTA
You can find hori horis for less. Here's what you get when you buy this one from us.
Genuine Nisaku, made in Japan
Stamped “Made in Japan” on the blade, in Tomita stainless steel with a beech handle. Not a look-alike.
Half-price sickle with your Hori
Add one of our Japanese sickles and it's 50% off in your cart, automatically.
In stock in Sydney
Order before 12pm and we ship it the same day from Sydney.
14-day no-questions returns
If it isn't right for you, send it back within 14 days.
Real people who use it
Not sure which Hori to get, or how to sharpen it? Call us on 02 9527 3870 or visit the showroom.
Gift wrapping on every order
Many of our reviewers bought theirs as a gift. We can wrap it for you.
Rated 4.96 / 5 by 179 gardeners
★★★★★
If you only ever buy one tool
“This is the tool to buy. I use it as my main gardening tool from hoicking out thistle to pruning my ornamental trees. I love it and I love this store. Great service always.”
★★★★★
Amazing Quality of Thick Stainless Steel
“This such a great, hefty hori hori. Unlike thinner ones that I have seen, the quality is second to none.”
★★★★★
Bush
“It's relatively expensive, but is well balanced and robust, stays sharp, is a pleasure to use and will last a lifetime.”
★★★★★
Great for arthritic hands
“My wife has arthritis in her hands but can still use this because it is easy to hold, is very sharp, and long enough to provide leverage. Highly recommended.”
★★★★★
Hori Hori knife
“Wonderful tool to use, have used in hard ground, soft soil and sand and it cuts through everything so well without dulling the blade, very happy with the product!”
★★★★★
Excellent tool
“Bought on recommendation from a friend, I hadn't heard of these before. The quality is excellent, and if I'd known these existed I would have bought one years ago”
Find your Hori
$52.00
$52.00
View Compact Hori Hori
Some cheaper hori horis are unbranded look-alikes. This is the genuine Nisaku, made in Japan from Tomita stainless steel. Buying it from us also gets you Sydney stock with same-day dispatch, 14-day returns, gift wrapping and a half-price sickle when you add one.
The Hori Hori and a vinyl sheath with a belt loop and retention clip. Want a hard, locking sheath instead? See the Hori Hori with Tough Sheath.
Sharp enough to cut roots and twine straight out of the sheath. Keep it sheathed when you're not using it, and store it out of reach of children.
It's stainless steel, so it resists rust. Wipe off soil and moisture after use and it will stay bright for years.
Touch up the straight edge now and then with a diamond file or fine sharpening stone, following the existing bevel. Browse our sharpening tools, or call us and we'll talk you through it.
Yes. Gift wrapping is available on every order.
Order before 12pm and it ships today from Sydney.
After trying all sorts, our volunteer group has found the hori hori knife to be the best all round tool for tackling the most common perennial weeds (veldt grass and gladioli) in our bushland reserve in Perth. It's relatively expensive, but is well balanced and robust, stays sharp, is a pleasure to use and will last a lifetime.
Just wrap some red electrical insulation tape around the handle to make it easier to spot if you put it down during weeding.
My new Hori Hori has been brilliant in helping me do battle with the seemingly endless dandelions that had taken over the large front lawn of my friends half acre property. It slices through the plants deep underground allowing easy removal of leaves and flowers. There is no divot in the lawn afterwards ensuring a perfect finish. A once a week removal of any emerging plants is quick, easy and fun! I am now the ninja of my garden!
I was happy to receive my parcel today, very quick. I purchased 2 knives as presents, description says the knife includes a leather case which is what I wanted , unfortunately it is a faux leather case - not good enough in my opinion.
Disappointed as the knife is great.
First time I’ve used a Hori Hori knife - in the past I’ve subbed with a bread knife! - and it’s fantastic for lots of garden tasks. One major job is cutting back a fast-growing morning glory vine from my (lovely) neighbour’s side: the knife makes quick work of it.
The knife is solid but beautifully balanced and very sharp, so easy to use. I really love it.
I bought the Hori Hori knife for my husband who is very passionate about our garden. He uses it constantly and said it is the best tool he has ever used, excellent quality and very well made! He loved it so much that we bought one for my mum who also loves it! This is now our go to gardening tool for all jobs in the garden! Thank you JTA!
These tools make gardening a pleasure. The weeding tool get right underneath the weed roots and loosens the soil at the same time.
I have 16 different hand and long handled hoes for different jobs. This is my favourite. (was expensive)
These are great quality tools for weeding and planting small plants
would definately recommend the products (sharp as) and service....
Items delivered 1000km away next day....
I’ve used it for digging and cutting. The handle is comfy and the blade is perfectly balanced for gardening. I only wish the case were real leather, but I guess that would have put the price up a a bit. A fine purchase and a wonderful gift!
Gardening Sickle provides great assistance in removing couch grass from garden beds. Its the second one I have purchased for the task.
The sickle was a good weight and well balanced for the job at hand although it did need sharpening several times. I needed to shorten the grass (Stipa) as a fire precaution without damaging the orchids and other wildflowers. There was no machinery needed which would have compacted the fragile soil and I could be selective about what I cut. A chore made pleasant and relaxing.
Comfortable to hold and quick to tidy up around the garden. I gifted this to two other gardener friends last Christmas after using it so much myself.
love it . its changed the way i garden, i really enjoy using it
Brilliant. Nice weight. Good balance. Handle comfortable.
Use it wall day to remove weeds with minimal effort. Cut open bags and break apart sugar cane mulch to spread quickly and evenly. My everyday go to for my business. The weeding witch.
I work on a small hobby farm growing garlic and we tend the entire crop by hand. Since purchasing the Japanese Planting & Weeding Set our weeding time has probably halved, they are just so effective. I don't actually use any of my other small hand tools in the garden anymore as these two tools do everything I need. Best gardening tools I have ever used. Wish I had known about them years ago.
Absolutely love this tool. So easy to use and no pressure on my wrist. Have given many as gifts to gardening friends
Excellent am using it daily and it’s probably the most useful tool in the shed!
A quality multiple use gardening tool for weeding, planting seedlings, cutting small branches and more. love my hori hori knife.
Great knife, not too impressed with the vinyl sheath, so took it to a Cobbler and had a real one made
I was recommended the gardening sickle by a friend and it’s truly brilliant. The BEST tool in the shed!!
I’ve already given this as a gift to 2 people and about to by a third!
Thank you
Love my sickle originally bought at garden show but after loosing it I was devastated. Found your product on line. Painted handle red and put rope handle on it. Best tool ever.
Excellent TOOL. Areal work of art. Rugged robust and I think, reliable.
I purchased two of these and gave one to my mum. She loves it and use it all the time. The tool is well made and very good quality.
The tools were a gift for my partner and he absolutely loves them, great for so many small jobs around the garden. The hori-hori is so versatile! And the packaging was all paper based - love to see it!
Put simply it’s a great tool. Extremely well made from stainless steel that has some weight and thickness to it...it won’t bend and fits and feels good in the hand with a wooden handle.
All in all terrific for working in the garden.
I’m loving it. I have battled onion weed for years. I refuse to use roundup. The weeds get into difficult places- eg near the stems of rose bushes.I can now dig them out easily.
Excellent tool. Fast & efficient. Makes light work of weeds in tight spots. Great for between the rows in the veggie garden.
5 stars, I may need to learn how to sharpen the sickle however.
The hori-hori makes quick work for planting and removing pups.
Although I am left handed I find the sickle is easy to use
My friend gave me this tool last October and new to gardening, this is the best present I could ever get. So sharp and easy to use, keeps my weeds at bay and helps with hoeing the soil during dryer days in Adelaide
Highly recommend all gardens lovers buy this tool.
Next purchase is the mattock..
