Garden Knives

About Garden Knives

Garden knives are precision cutting tools essential for detailed horticultural work where standard secateurs or shears lack the necessary control. From grafting and budding fruit trees to harvesting vegetables and pruning delicate plants, these specialised implements offer superior accuracy for countless gardening tasks. MyToolShed.co.uk stocks professional-grade garden knives from trusted manufacturers including Bahco, Spear and Jackson, Draper, Faithfull, and Gardena, ensuring quality tools for both commercial horticulturists and dedicated home gardeners.

Typical features include razor-sharp stainless steel blades that resist corrosion and maintain their edge through demanding use, coupled with ergonomic handles crafted from materials such as FSC-certified oak or durable polymers. Many models incorporate folding designs with secure locking mechanisms for safe pocket carry, whilst specialist variants like budding knives include tapered handles for bark lifting during grafting operations. Whether you need a traditional pruning knife or modern designs like the Gardena VEGGIECUT for vegetable harvesting, the range at MyToolShed covers all horticultural requirements.

Applications

Garden knives serve a wide range of users and applications:

• Professional Gardeners and Horticulturists: Daily pruning, grafting, and plant maintenance across multiple sites
• Nursery Workers: Budding, grafting, and preparing plant material for propagation
• Landscape Gardeners: Precision trimming and plant care during installation and maintenance projects
• Arborists and Tree Surgeons: Grafting and repair work on ornamental and fruit trees
• Allotment Holders: Harvesting vegetables, preparing cuttings, and general plot maintenance
• Groundskeepers: Maintaining ornamental gardens, rose collections, and heritage plantings
• Fruit Growers: Grafting, budding, and maintaining orchards and fruit tree collections
• Amateur Gardeners: Anyone seeking professional-quality results in their garden

Choosing The Right Garden Knives

Blade Type: Consider your primary tasks. Budding knives with spatula ends suit grafting work, whilst curved pruning blades excel at general cutting. For vegetable harvesting, specialist designs like the Gardena VEGGIECUT offer optimised performance. Versatile folding pruning knives from Bahco or Spear and Jackson suit varied tasks.

Blade Material: Stainless steel blades resist corrosion from plant sap whilst maintaining sharpness. Premium brands like Bahco offer superior edge retention, reducing sharpening frequency and ensuring consistently clean cuts that promote plant health.

Handle Comfort: Ergonomic handles are crucial for prolonged use. Traditional hardwood handles like FSC-certified oak provide excellent grip and classic aesthetics, whilst modern polymer designs offer enhanced ergonomics and weather resistance.

Folding or Fixed Blade: Folding designs offer superior safety for pocket carrying, ideal for professionals moving between sites. Fixed-blade designs may suit intensive commercial use but require protective sheaths for transport.

Safety Information

Garden knives feature extremely sharp blades that can cause serious injuries if mishandled. Always cut away from your body and keep fingers clear of the blade path. Ensure folding knives are securely closed or fixed-blade models are sheathed when not in use. Maintain clean, sharp blades—dull knives require more force and are more likely to slip. Clean and disinfect blades after use to prevent disease transmission between plants. Store securely out of reach of children, and consider cut-resistant gloves for additional protection during extended pruning sessions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a budding knife and a pruning knife?

Budding knives feature specialised blades for making precise grafting cuts, often with tapered handles for lifting bark. Pruning knives have curved blades suited to general cutting, trimming, and branch work. Many gardeners benefit from owning both types for different horticultural tasks.

How do I maintain my garden knife's sharpness?

Regular honing with a fine sharpening stone maintains the edge between uses. Clean the blade after each session to prevent sap buildup, which dulls the edge. Sharpen at a consistent angle of approximately 20-25 degrees. Quality brands from MyToolShed.co.uk maintain their edge longer than budget alternatives.

Should I disinfect my garden knife between plants?

Yes, particularly when working with multiple plants or moving between diseased and healthy specimens. Plant pathogens easily transfer via contaminated blades. A quick wipe with methylated spirits or proprietary garden disinfectant prevents disease spread and maintains plant health across your garden.