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My husband, who is from the Bahamas, introduced me to the practice of using machetes in the garden. He grew up in his grandfather’s vast tropical garden, where he used a machete to cut sugarcane, crack open coconuts, and clear bushes.
I took a really quick knife in my own garden. I find these multi-purpose, reasonably priced tools practically every time I’m gardening. I’ve used it to weed to expand my flower garden and last week cut down an invasive honeysuckle bush.
Machetes can be used for many tasks such as digging holes, clearing bushes, cutting firewood, removing turf, cutting trees for compost, pruning bushes and harvesting. Gardening knives, their smaller relatives, are made for specific tasks; Some are made for harvesting, while others are made for weeding and mowing.
Master Gardener-Recommended Garden Knives
- Gerber Gear Gator Machete, $30
- Attican Black Iron Hori Hori Garden Knife, $24 (was $30)
- Tramontina Wood Machete, $24
- Fiskars Hori Hori Knife, $25
- Hooyman Machete, $22 (was $35)
- Zenport K310 Brush Clearing Sickle, $23
- Fiskars Harvesting Knife, $17
A well-made knife or knife will last for many years if you clean the blade after each use. To prevent the spread of infection, I suggest going a step further and cleaning the blade with alcohol before using it for pruning or harvesting. To prevent rust, I recommend oiling the blade regularly and sharpening it when it starts to dull.
Anytime a gardener uses a tool with a blade, they should always take safety precautions. Wearing cut-resistant gloves to increase grip and to protect your hands, sturdy boots and thick leggings are all smart choices. Use moderate strokes instead of uncontrolled swings and always be aware of your surroundings and make sure no one is in the radius of your swing. When carrying your knife, keep the sheath on and hold the blade with the blade facing down and the handle facing you, or tuck it under your armpit.
Related: The 9 Best Weeding Tools of 2024 for a Flourishing Garden
Gerber Gear Gator Machete
$30
This multi-purpose machete doubles as a saw and blade; The high carbon stainless steel blade has teeth on one side and a straight edge on the other. As such, this machete is ideal for cutting small brush and using a saw edge to cut firewood or large bushes. Most garden tasks are ideal for an 18-inch blade.
The Gator Grip rubber grip of the Gerber Gear Gator Machete is a unique feature that increases comfort and increases the likelihood that the machete will stay in your hand while in use. For safe carrying and storage, use the included nylon sheath.
Attican Black Iron Hori Hori Garden Knife
$24
The Japanese word “hori” means “dig” and refers to the hori hori knife, which was created especially for gardening. A hori hori knife is ideal for gathering root vegetables and splitting plants since it usually has one straight edge and one serrated edge. It may also be used for small-hole digging, as the name implies. This knife is ideal for planting seeds and bulbs since it features engraved depth measures in millimeters and inches.
Tramontina Wood Machete
$24
A very affordable alternative to the traditional, no-frills machete is the Tramontina Wood Machete. With regular sharpening, this machete will hold its edge well for a long time. I was amazed by the quality of the Tramontina machete as I used it over the years for its modest price. The 18-inch carbon steel blade is sharp enough for more precise gardening tasks, but can cut tree limbs and crevices without breaking them.
Although the wooden handle provides a pleasant heaviness and grip, prolonged use can cause blisters on your hands. Using gloves or covering the handle with tennis racket tape or something similar can quickly resolve this problem.
Fiskars Hori Hori Knife
$25
Fiskers knives, like other hori hori blades, have gauge marks on the bottom of the blade in addition to a straight and thick edge. This hori hori knife is unique because of its sharp point. With its distinctive blade tip and sharp blade, it is an ideal tool for removing tough weeds including dandelions, taproots.
For added strength, the tang of this blade has been lengthened. It also comes with a sturdy plastic case with a belt loop, to make it easy to carry safely around the garden.
Hooyman Machete
$22
The Hooyman Machete’s parang-style stainless steel blade is ideal for cutting thick bushes and woody plants like bamboo. As the blade is heavier than many of the other models on the list, experienced machete users may find this model best.
This blade’s ergonomic H hold handle is nonslip and when wet, the handle material is sticky to help maintain a firm grip in any weather. The blade also has a hole for hanging when in storage, which is an added convenience.
Zenport K310 Brush Clearing Sickle
$23
Though it may appear archaic, the sickle—which should not be mistaken with a scythe—has a legitimate position in contemporary gardening. A sickle is a fantastic instrument for harvesting fruits and vegetables and pulling up thick-stemmed weeds. Because you can remove all the plants on one side of the blade without harming the next plants, this sickle is excellent for cleaning up confined spaces.
With its razor-sharp edge, the Zenport sickle effortlessly slices through stubborn stalks like butter. You can effortlessly swap out your weed whacker for the 9-inch Japanese high carbon steel blade. But, utilizing a sickle with a short handle puts your arms in close proximity to the blade, so proceed with caution when handling this implement.
Fiskars Harvesting Knife
$17
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The distinctive flat-tipped blade of the Fiskars Harvesting Knife is intended specifically for gathering fruits and vegetables. When harvesting, the blade’s serrated bottom half enables you to cut through fibrous stems with ease, while the flat tip facilitates rapid push cuts.
This knife’s 6-inch blade is manageable, and its ergonomic grip helps to reduce hand cramps and enhances control when harvesting. A sturdy plastic sheath with a belt loop that comes with the knife makes it simple to carry it around securely during a demanding gardening day.
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