Bonsai brand forged carbon steel garden trowel with wooden handle on white background
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Bonsai Brand Forged Trowel (Carbon Steel)

$35.00

Bonsai brand forged carbon steel trowel from Miki, Japan for planting, digging, compact soil and small roots. Stronger than a light plastic trowel, with basic carbon steel care required. Ships from Perth.

East West Tools Quality Guarantee

We stand behind the quality of our tools with a 30-day return policy and support for exchanges or repairs when needed. Read the full policy here.

Shipping

We dispatch every weekday from Perth. Orders over $250 ship free Australia-wide, with free local shipping over $100. Regular shipping is $12.50 and express shipping is $19.00. Read the full shipping policy here.

Product Care

Japanese carbon steel tools stay at their best when they are wiped dry, kept clean of sap, sharpened before they become blunt and oiled before storage. Read the full guide.

 

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Description

Forged carbon steel trowel for planting and soil work

The Bonsai brand forged trowel is made in Miki, Japan for planting, digging and soil work where strength and control both matter. The carbon steel blade gives a tough working edge for cutting through compact soil and small roots.

At 360mm overall with a 175mm blade, it gives more reach than a small hand trowel while still staying manageable in raised beds, pots and tight garden spaces. The hardwood handle and ferrule-reinforced tang help the tool hold up under regular garden use.

Best suited to

  • Planting and transplanting
  • Digging in beds and pots
  • Cutting through small roots
  • Working compact soil where a light plastic trowel feels weak
  • Gardeners who prefer a forged carbon steel digging tool

Trowel vs Hori Hori

  • Choose the trowel for scooping, planting holes and moving soil.
  • Choose a Hori Hori for a narrower digging knife with cutting edges and more root-cutting control.

Who should not buy this

  • Do not buy carbon steel if you want to leave the tool wet or dirty.
  • Do not use it as a heavy pry bar in rocky ground.
  • Do not choose this if you mainly need a narrow cutting knife; choose a Hori Hori instead.

Care expectations

After use, brush off soil and moisture, dry thoroughly and apply camellia oil to the carbon steel blade before storage. Avoid soaking the handle or leaving the tool in wet soil.

Browse related Japanese digging tools, Japanese sickles and weeders, or Japanese tool care and sharpening.

Specifications
  • Sizes stocked: 360 mm total length; 175 mm blade
  • Steel stocked: Japanese Carbon steel
  • Handles: Straight Japanese hardwood
  • Joint: Tang with ferrule
  • Origin: Miki City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
  • Use: Planting, digging, and loosening soil in beds and pots
Maintenance

After use, brush off soil and moisture, then dry thoroughly. Apply camellia oil to the carbon steel blade before storage.

For oil, rust removal and sharpening supplies, browse the Japanese tool care and sharpening range. Avoid soaking the handle or leaving the tool in wet soil.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What tasks is this trowel best for?

It is ideal for digging, planting bulbs, loosening soil, and working in raised beds or pots where reach and control are important.

How is it different from a stamped trowel?

This trowel is forged from carbon steel, giving it higher strength and fewer weak points compared to stamped or pressed metal versions.

Where is it made?

It is made in Miki, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, a region with a centuries-long history of tool forging.

How should I maintain the blade?

Clean after use, sharpen when needed, and apply light oil to prevent rust. Store in a dry place for longevity.

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