I prefer the hori hori in my vegetable garden. It's perfect to direct sow seeds, I got one with inches engraved into it so that's a bonus. I just stick it into the ground and pop the seed in. It's also really helpful in harvesting more stubborn veggies. When a plant dies, I prefer to leave the roots in the ground so I just chop it at the base with the hori hori and compost it.
I think the hori hori is like a Leatherman multi tool. it does a lot of things okay, but there isn't anything it can do better then the full size dedicated tool. Only thing you forgot to mention is most hori hori's come with a holster, so it's easier to carry around.
Convenience is king! Throughout history there have been many instances where the "best" tool was second place to a convenient one. For example, military helmet designs in the middle ages often traded maximum protection in favor of comfort and ease of wear.
Hi! I'm Japanese and I would like to show how to dig with hori hori. You stab your farther point, and pull toward to your side. (Just like tearing ) It's hard to describe!
I too have been introduced to Hori Hori about 4 years ago, and since then, both of my Trowels don't get much use. They are now only used as a big scoop. For anything that requires touching ground, Hori Hori is much better. Also for dividing perennials. Hori Hori is by far, my most used garden tool. I now have two Hori Horis - old one that has somewhat blunted edges, and a new one with sharp edges. Both get used quite a bit for different purposes.
I have a rounded handled trowel like blade knife from Lee Valley, wooden handle quite similar to hori hori but much more comfortable. Personally use this or a small shovel for planting. Never use a trowel. Full time gardener almost 30 years 😉 Use what you’re comfortable with. No rules 🌸
I've been using both for 5+ years. I use the houri houri about 90% of the time (From AM Lenard - very comfortable handle). Thanks for the video. My experience is very similar to yours.
I love my horihori, mostly because of my garden conditions. A lot of it is wet clay that encourages dock and arum lily seedlings. It can sneak down close to the nasties and cause minimum disturbance to other plants as they are removed. It’s serrations work well on fleshy arum 😊stems but in my old garden with beautiful loam, the trowel was perfect
I like my hori hori for raised beds and containers that have a lighter potting mix and my trowel or weeder in the ground. I’m afraid or dulling the blade on the hori hori. I also used the hori for dropping clover cover crop from 2 12’ rows. I like both! When I lived in Japan, there were many fields that looked like they had light fluffy soil. Those fields have probably been worked for a long time.
I enjoyed that! I have gone through the same process and found, like you, that I have good use for both. Some of my vegetables get planted into those Tomato Craters, I find that the Hori Hori can dig a planting hole in the centre of the Crater without having to take apart the two halves of the Crater, putting them back together is a real pain! Klaus
Thank you for to video. I tend to spend about 2 hours per day in the vegetable garden from April to December. The 2 tools I find myself using every day, for planting seeds or transplants, weeding, pruning and harvesting, and garden cleanup in the fall are a good garden fork and pruners.
I've never heard of the hori hori, but it seems ultimately a matter of preference. The hori-hori goes for versatility in being fairly competent at a wider range of tasks in a single tool, while specialised tools are exceptional but at a small set of tasks. I'm intrigued to try it out.
Saludos desde España (Europe): La pala (trovel) tiene una ventaja importante: al trabajar con la trovel en horizontal, la mano no roza la tierra. Bests Regards.
I prefer my horihori for digging up dandelions and planting spring bulbs it's wonderful also if you have a root bound tree you can cut off the bottom and score it before planting in ground.
Hori hori seems like more of a specialized tool designed to fulfil a key few rules associated with a particular form of horticulture/crop. Something that requires tying up, regular pruning/harvesting, and a high turn over of heeling in cuttings. So a ori horicould be a fantastic toll, if you work in a field which requires all the treats it's good at. It's a lot easier to carry one tool that is good enough. But the claims that it's somehow reinventing the wheel, are a bit much. If you have a long growing season, and like to grow a lot of tomatoes, beans, gherkins and the like. Then a hori hori will save a lot of messing about.
can always modify a trowel, sharpen etc. I use a sharpened trenching shovel as a "Linear scythe" fpt taking out russian thistle etc. Allows for lower root level chopping and is very precise, In the end I ground a small divet /shallow fork(part of the sharpened edge) acts as a guide to entrap the stem/root for cutting. I use it with the blade almost parallel to the ground got rapid scything, or more vertical for spot removal (cuts the roots lower)
Love this comparison. I have been strictly using my hori hori because of all the hoopla about it. This video convinced me that I'll replace my trowel that broke last year and use for those jobs where a trowel is better! I just love your videos. I've learned so much and always go straight to your videos when I have a gardening question.
There is not much guard on the knife. I use the trowel as forecefully as I like, but I am very gentle with the knife lest my hand slip onto the blade. I am also gentle with the knife because it is a beautiful expensive object with a delicate edge.
Thanks for this comparison video. Very timely. I recently purchased a hori hori knife. It’s a great addition to my garden tool box. I don’t expect it to be suitable for all gardening chores. That’s not realistic. That’s why I have an assortment of tools. I always enjoy your videos. They inspire me to get out there and dig. Thanks! 🪴
I broke my hori hori in half where the blade meets the handle, trying to prise a large dandelion out of the ground. I am sure I bought it on the understanding it was stainless steel. Examining the broken revealed a semi-crystalline structure - some cheaper alloy. Buyer beware. A shame, because I used it in preference and far more than my trowel. I cannot find a store selling them here in U.K., where I can examine before buying, only available to me online.
As in any tool designed to accomplish multiple tasks, it’s capabilities are not as complete as a tool made for a specific job. It’s like a pocket multi tool; it can do most of what you want if you don’t expect too much. The advantage is in convenience, not capacity.
Hori hori is better for hand work on my knees in my humble opinion. For larger, deeper digging, I move to a shovel. Don't use the trowels too much anymore.
Neither. I have 3 types. I compost and top dress my vegetable beds and prefer a scoop which is a trowel with tall sides to scoop a pint sized hole for my transplant seedlings and granular fertelizer.
Ever since I purchased a quality hori hori which I’m sorry to say the one you’re using in the video is not, I haven’t used a trowel. Get a nice hori hori and you’ll see quite the difference.
I'm not sure why stainless steel equals better. There's no bend/flex, it breaks. A little flex saves the day when prying up a rock. I have a carbon hori. No need for a trowel in my context.
I hate spades! They're too lightweight for almost every job in the garden. If you have really strong wrists and thumbs, I guess they're OK. My favorite hand tool for weeds and digging small holes looks like a mini pick ax. One side is narrow and the other side is wider. I've had as long as I can remember. It's heavy for its size and the weight does all the work. I have no idea what it's called or where I got it, and I have never seen another one. As far as the Hori Hori, I don't see any use for a knife to remove weeds. The point is to DIG UP the roots and remove them, NOT cut up the roots!
I am giggling as you demonstrate; just carry both tools. I would be in danger of cutting a finger off. I rarely use a trowel. If I am digging, I get my spade--I am not as strong as you.
dude, what planet are you on, it doesn't even compare. i could pickup on your bad vibes, you already liked the trowel better for some dumb reason. you're so wrong. hori hori is far far superior in every way 👎
I did watch the entire video. It's certainly far from a scientific comparison. I was simply addressing your comment that it is far superior in "every way". The main place the Hori Hori knife fell short was actually scooping, which makes sense because it is more similar to knife and not a shovel.
I prefer the hori hori in my vegetable garden. It's perfect to direct sow seeds, I got one with inches engraved into it so that's a bonus. I just stick it into the ground and pop the seed in. It's also really helpful in harvesting more stubborn veggies. When a plant dies, I prefer to leave the roots in the ground so I just chop it at the base with the hori hori and compost it.
I think the hori hori is like a Leatherman multi tool. it does a lot of things okay, but there isn't anything it can do better then the full size dedicated tool.
Only thing you forgot to mention is most hori hori's come with a holster, so it's easier to carry around.
Convenience is king! Throughout history there have been many instances where the "best" tool was second place to a convenient one. For example, military helmet designs in the middle ages often traded maximum protection in favor of comfort and ease of wear.
Hi! I'm Japanese and I would like to show how to dig with hori hori. You stab your farther point, and pull toward to your side. (Just like tearing ) It's hard to describe!
In our sandy loose soil in central Florida I prefer the Hori Hori. It also comes with a belt sheath so I dont have to walk away and look for it.
mate, you did the best realistic and practical review between the two tool I've seen. keep up the videos... happy gardening
I've used my hori hori knife for 3 or 4 years strictly for weeding and it's especially good for Dandelions.
I too have been introduced to Hori Hori about 4 years ago, and since then, both of my Trowels don't get much use. They are now only used as a big scoop. For anything that requires touching ground, Hori Hori is much better. Also for dividing perennials. Hori Hori is by far, my most used garden tool. I now have two Hori Horis - old one that has somewhat blunted edges, and a new one with sharp edges. Both get used quite a bit for different purposes.
I have a rounded handled trowel like blade knife from Lee Valley, wooden handle quite similar to hori hori but much more comfortable. Personally use this or a small shovel for planting. Never use a trowel. Full time gardener almost 30 years 😉 Use what you’re comfortable with. No rules 🌸
I've been using both for 5+ years. I use the houri houri about 90% of the time (From AM Lenard - very comfortable handle). Thanks for the video. My experience is very similar to yours.
@jamestaylor8217 Thanks for the recommendation. I ordered the Pink Handle one today! 😊
I love my horihori, mostly because of my garden conditions. A lot of it is wet clay that encourages dock and arum lily seedlings. It can sneak down close to the nasties and cause minimum disturbance to other plants as they are removed. It’s serrations work well on fleshy arum 😊stems but in my old garden with beautiful loam, the trowel was perfect
I like my hori hori for raised beds and containers that have a lighter potting mix and my trowel or weeder in the ground. I’m afraid or dulling the blade on the hori hori. I also used the hori for dropping clover cover crop from 2 12’ rows. I like both! When I lived in Japan, there were many fields that looked like they had light fluffy soil. Those fields have probably been worked for a long time.
I combined the the best of both by sharpening one side of the garden trowel.
I enjoyed that! I have gone through the same process and found, like you, that I have good use for both. Some of my vegetables get planted into those Tomato Craters, I find that the Hori Hori can dig a planting hole in the centre of the Crater without having to take apart the two halves of the Crater, putting them back together is a real pain!
Klaus
I use my U.S. Army issued collapsible entrenching tool/shovel.
Thank you Uncle Sam.
Thank you for the clip.
Thank you for to video. I tend to spend about 2 hours per day in the vegetable garden from April to December. The 2 tools I find myself using every day, for planting seeds or transplants, weeding, pruning and harvesting, and garden cleanup in the fall are a good garden fork and pruners.
I've never heard of the hori hori, but it seems ultimately a matter of preference. The hori-hori goes for versatility in being fairly competent at a wider range of tasks in a single tool, while specialised tools are exceptional but at a small set of tasks. I'm intrigued to try it out.
Saludos desde España (Europe):
La pala (trovel) tiene una ventaja importante: al trabajar con la trovel en horizontal, la mano no roza la tierra.
Bests Regards.
I prefer my horihori for digging up dandelions and planting spring bulbs it's wonderful also if you have a root bound tree you can cut off the bottom and score it before planting in ground.
Hori hori seems like more of a specialized tool designed to fulfil a key few rules associated with a particular form of horticulture/crop. Something that requires tying up, regular pruning/harvesting, and a high turn over of heeling in cuttings.
So a ori horicould be a fantastic toll, if you work in a field which requires all the treats it's good at. It's a lot easier to carry one tool that is good enough. But the claims that it's somehow reinventing the wheel, are a bit much.
If you have a long growing season, and like to grow a lot of tomatoes, beans, gherkins and the like. Then a hori hori will save a lot of messing about.
I LOVE my Hori Hori knife!!!
can always modify a trowel, sharpen etc. I use a sharpened trenching shovel as a "Linear scythe" fpt taking out russian thistle etc. Allows for lower root level chopping and is very precise, In the end I ground a small divet /shallow fork(part of the sharpened edge) acts as a guide to entrap the stem/root for cutting. I use it with the blade almost parallel to the ground got rapid scything, or more vertical for spot removal (cuts the roots lower)
$15 right now on Amazon, Nisaku NJP650 The Original Hori Hori Namibagata
I have a pocket sized razor blade. When I need a digging tool I grab a stick and shape the end to suit the purpose.
Love this comparison. I have been strictly using my hori hori because of all the hoopla about it. This video convinced me that I'll replace my trowel that broke last year and use for those jobs where a trowel is better! I just love your videos. I've learned so much and always go straight to your videos when I have a gardening question.
There is not much guard on the knife. I use the trowel as forecefully as I like, but I am very gentle with the knife lest my hand slip onto the blade. I am also gentle with the knife because it is a beautiful expensive object with a delicate edge.
Thank you Mr. P. 🌺💚🙃
Thanks for this comparison video. Very timely. I recently purchased a hori hori knife. It’s a great addition to my garden tool box. I don’t expect it to be suitable for all gardening chores. That’s not realistic. That’s why I have an assortment of tools. I always enjoy your videos. They inspire me to get out there and dig. Thanks! 🪴
I broke my hori hori in half where the blade meets the handle, trying to prise a large dandelion out of the ground. I am sure I bought it on the understanding it was stainless steel. Examining the broken revealed a semi-crystalline structure - some cheaper alloy. Buyer beware. A shame, because I used it in preference and far more than my trowel. I cannot find a store selling them here in U.K., where I can examine before buying, only available to me online.
As in any tool designed to accomplish multiple tasks, it’s capabilities are not as complete as a tool made for a specific job. It’s like a pocket multi tool; it can do most of what you want if you don’t expect too much. The advantage is in convenience, not capacity.
Never seen one ... very cool
Am i the only one who winces every time the hori hori hits a rock when digging? 😂
Hori hori is better for hand work on my knees in my humble opinion. For larger, deeper digging, I move to a shovel. Don't use the trowels too much anymore.
At minute 7:30 one can appreciate the objectivity and fairness of your comparison.
Neither. I have 3 types. I compost and top dress my vegetable beds and prefer a scoop which is a trowel with tall sides to scoop a pint sized hole for my transplant seedlings and granular fertelizer.
Ever since I purchased a quality hori hori which I’m sorry to say the one you’re using in the video is not, I haven’t used a trowel. Get a nice hori hori and you’ll see quite the difference.
I’ll stick with the hori hori. Tough to beat, a hori hori is a weeder, not a digging tool!
I'm not sure why stainless steel equals better. There's no bend/flex, it breaks. A little flex saves the day when prying up a rock. I have a carbon hori. No need for a trowel in my context.
why do you wear that style of hat?
Soil knife (hori hori) i will only use for weeds in mulched beds. Great for weeds nothing else.
I hate spades! They're too lightweight for almost every job in the garden. If you have really strong wrists and thumbs, I guess they're OK. My favorite hand tool for weeds and digging small holes looks like a mini pick ax. One side is narrow and the other side is wider. I've had as long as I can remember. It's heavy for its size and the weight does all the work. I have no idea what it's called or where I got it, and I have never seen another one. As far as the Hori Hori, I don't see any use for a knife to remove weeds. The point is to DIG UP the roots and remove them, NOT cut up the roots!
You may be using what's called a mattock.
.
not a fair comparison, HoriHori replace saw and knife as well3 tools in 1, in my opinion
Just get a weed picker as a second tool.
The knives suck because the metal bends and breaks easy
I am giggling as you demonstrate; just carry both tools. I would be in danger of cutting a finger off. I rarely use a trowel. If I am digging, I get my spade--I am not as strong as you.
Hori Hori batters a crappy £2 trowel any day.
dude, what planet are you on, it doesn't even compare. i could pickup on your bad vibes, you already liked the trowel better for some dumb reason. you're so wrong. hori hori is far far superior in every way 👎
So you think a small scoop moves more dirt than a large scoop? Do you feel personally attacked?
... and with those bad vibes he concludes 'one is not better than the other', you need to watch the whole video.
I did watch the entire video. It's certainly far from a scientific comparison. I was simply addressing your comment that it is far superior in "every way". The main place the Hori Hori knife fell short was actually scooping, which makes sense because it is more similar to knife and not a shovel.
@@ubiquitouscelery Sorry, my comment wasn't directed at yours but at the original poster complaining of the 'bad vibes'.
And just for the record i think a 'ho mi digger' is superior to either of those for planting and transplanting plugs and small potted plants.