Top 5 Best Hori Hori Knives for Gardening & Foraging (2025 Review)

Gardening often requires a toolbox full of equipment, but the right multi-functional tool can replace trowels, saws, and measuring sticks in one go. The best hori hori knife blends precision and strength, offering a versatile solution for digging, cutting stubborn roots, and measuring soil depth without switching tools.

Whether you are transplanting delicate seedlings or hacking through tough weeds, these Japanese-style gardening knives are built to handle the demand. In this guide, we highlight the top-performing blades that offer durability, ergonomic comfort, and sharp performance to make your outdoor projects smoother and more efficient.

At a Glance: Top 5 Hori Hori Knives

Product Name	Key Features	Ideal Use
PERWIN Digging Knife	Full-tang, Depth Markings	All-Purpose Gardening
Barebones Edged Knife	Heat-Treated 4CR13 Steel	Heavy-Duty & Bushcraft
TONMA Cutting Knife	Japanese AUS-8 Steel	Precision & Edge Retention
Coowolf Porcini Knife	Folding Blade, Boar Brush	Mushroom Foraging
L.DROPLET Planting Knife	Cord-Cutting Notch, Full Tang	Transplanting & Dividing

Top 5 Best Hori Hori Knives 2025

🥇1. PERWIN Digging Hori Knife

Best for gardeners seeking a reliable, all-in-one tool for heavy digging and root cutting.

The PERWIN Digging Hori Knife is designed to be the only tool you need by your side in the garden. It features a robust full-tang stainless steel construction, meaning the metal extends through the handle for superior strength that won’t bend under pressure. The wooden handle is secured with three metal rivets, ensuring a steady grip whether you are sawing through roots or measuring soil depth with the blade’s inch indicators.

• Versatile Blade: Features both a sharp slicing edge and a serrated sawing edge.
• Measurement Ready: Clearly marked inch indicators on the blade help plant bulbs at the correct depth.
• Durable Build: Full-length stainless steel tang prevents snapping during heavy prying.
• Multi-Function: Includes a bottle opener and works well for camping and fishing.
• Portable: Comes with a protective sheath that attaches easily to a belt.

🥈2. Barebones Edged Hori Knife

Best for heavy-duty outdoor work and bushcraft thanks to its heat-treated construction.

If you appreciate tools that double as works of art, the Barebones Edged Hori Knife is a top contender. Crafted with rugged 4CR13 heat-treated stainless steel, this blade offers dependable cutting force for both gardening and bushcraft. The handle is made from smooth walnut and is shaped for comfortable use by both right- and left-handed gardeners. Its through-tang design ensures the blade never loosens from the handle.

• Heat-Treated Steel: 4CR13 stainless steel provides exceptional durability and rust resistance.
• Ambidextrous Handle: Smooth walnut handle is ergonomic for any user.
• Concave Shape: The curved blade aids in scooping soil and measuring depth.
• Bonus Features: Built-in twine cutter and bottle opener add utility.
• Strong Tang: Through-tang design prevents separation during tough tasks.

🥉3. TONMA Cutting Hori Knife

Best for precision tasks requiring a razor-sharp edge and professional-grade steel.

The TONMA Cutting Hori Knife utilizes professional-grade Japanese AUS-8 steel, famous for its hardness and impressive edge retention. The 7.2-inch concave blade excels at scooping, while the spear-shaped tip offers extra versatility for prying in compact soil. It is an excellent choice for dividing plants and digging planting holes with accuracy.

• Premium Steel: Made with Japanese AUS-8 steel for long-lasting sharpness.
• Concave Design: Shaped perfectly for digging, scooping, and moving soil.
• Planting Aid: Depth markers allow for precise bulb and seed placement.
• Versatile Tip: Spear-shaped point helps pry up weeds and loosen hard dirt.
• Dual Edges: Includes a sharpened slicing side and a serrated root-cutting side.

🏅4. Coowolf Porcini Hori Knife

Best for mushroom hunters needing a delicate, specialized tool for foraging.

Unlike standard garden knives, the Coowolf Porcini Hori Knife is tailored specifically for mushroom foraging. Its curved stainless steel blade delivers clean cuts to harvest fungi without damaging the mycelium. It features an attached boar bristle brush to gently remove dirt from your finds immediately in the field.

• Foraging Specific: Curved blade is shaped for precise, controlled cuts on mushroom stems.
• Integrated Brush: Soft boar bristles help clean mushrooms without crushing them.
• Portable Design: Compact and folding, it slips easily into a pocket or foraging bag.
• Ergonomic: Designed to reduce hand fatigue during long foraging trips.
• Secure Storage: Includes a durable oxford sheath for safety.

🏅5. L.DROPLET Planting Hori Knife

Best for general transplanting and dividing plants with a comfortable, balanced grip.

The L.DROPLET Planting Hori Knife is a versatile essential built for slicing through tough soil and roots. Crafted from high-quality Japanese stainless steel, the blade resists rust and maintains reliability through heavy work. It features a cord-cutting notch that doubles as a bottle opener, and the wooden handle is shaped for comfort with a hanging hole for easy organization.

• Japanese Steel: Rust-resistant material ensures longevity.
• Cord Cutter: Integrated notch cuts twine or cord easily.
• Secure Handle: Three metal rivets secure the wooden handle to the full-tang blade.
• Dual Function: Sharp side for slicing and serrated side for sawing roots.
• Easy Carry: Includes a sheath with a belt loop for convenient transport.

Final Verdict

The right hori hori knife depends on your specific outdoor needs. For general gardening and heavy digging, the PERWIN and Barebones models offer incredible durability. If you prioritize steel quality and sharpness, the TONMA with its AUS-8 steel is the superior choice. However, if your passion lies in foraging, the specialized Coowolf mushroom knife is the clear winner.

Product	Best For
PERWIN Digging Knife	All-around gardening & root cutting
Barebones Edged Knife	Bushcraft & heavy-duty aesthetics
TONMA Cutting Knife	Professional sharpness & edge retention
Coowolf Porcini Knife	Mushroom foraging & portability
L.DROPLET Planting Knife	Transplanting & general maintenance

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is a hori hori knife used for?
A hori hori knife is a multi-purpose gardening tool used for digging, weeding, measuring soil depth, dividing perennials, and cutting through roots. Its concave shape allows it to function like a trowel, while the serrated edge acts like a saw.

2. Why do hori hori knives have two different edges?
Most hori hori knives feature one straight, sharp side for slicing stems or sod, and one serrated side for sawing through tough roots and branches. This dual design prevents the need to switch tools while working.

3. Is a full-tang handle important?
Yes, a full-tang design means the metal of the blade extends all the way through the handle. This provides superior strength and prevents the blade from snapping or loosening when prying rocks or heavy soil.

4. Can I use a hori hori knife for camping?
Absolutely. Many models, like the PERWIN and Barebones, are rugged enough for camping tasks such as cutting twine, opening bottles, or even light bushcraft.

5. How do I maintain my hori hori knife?
To keep your knife in top condition, wipe off dirt and moisture after every use. If it has a wooden handle, occasionally treating it with oil can prevent cracking. Sharpen the straight edge as needed, but the serrated edge rarely requires sharpening.

Last update on 2025-12-27/Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API