Affordable Soil Knife Transforms Tool Shed: Effortlessly Handles Tough Roots and Vegetation
The A.M. Leonard Horticultural Tool & Supply Co. has introduced a valuable addition to any gardener's toolkit – the Deluxe Soil Knife. This versatile tool, particularly the Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo, has gained popularity among gardeners and garden magazine editors alike.
One such advocate is Kathleen Walters, a gardener and garden magazine editor, who highly recommends the A.M. Leonard soil knife. The tool's combination of durability, dual-edge versatility, and ergonomic design makes it a reliable tool for soil preparation, planting, weeding, and harvesting tasks.
The soil knife boasts a dual-edged 6-inch stainless steel blade. One side features a deep serrated edge, ideal for cutting through roots, tough soil, and other materials, while the other side has a tapered slicing edge for delicate slicing and digging tasks. This versatility makes it highly functional for multiple gardening needs.
The stainless steel blade can withstand pressures up to 300 pounds, ensuring long-lasting performance even in tough conditions. The overall length of the knife is approximately 11-3/4 inches, with a 6-inch blade, providing good leverage and control. It typically has a plastic handle designed for a comfortable grip during extended use.
For added convenience, some variants of the soil knife are brightly coloured, such as pink or orange, to avoid being lost in the garden or field. The soil knife is easy to clean, requiring only scraping off dirt, hosing down, and quick drying after tough jobs.
The soil knife is particularly useful for digging small holes for planting bulbs or seedlings, cutting roots and tough soil when transplanting or dividing plants, weeding by slicing through weed stems below the soil, scooping soil and removing rocks or debris, and harvesting crops such as potatoes or root vegetables.
In addition to its primary functions, the soil knife comes with a twine cutter for quick and easy trellising. Its durability and multifunctionality reduce the need for carrying multiple tools, while its comfortable handle design supports prolonged gardening activity. The high visibility colours prevent tool loss outdoors, and the leather sheath keeps the user safe from the blade when not in use and keeps the soil knife close at hand on the belt or waistband.
The soil knife has proven effective for removing invasive honeysuckle due to its simple design and quality construction. It is also used by volunteers in park systems for clearing honeysuckle. In fact, the soil knife has replaced multiple garden tools for some users.
Founded in 1880, the A.M. Leonard company is celebrating its 140th anniversary this year. The stainless steel blade of the soil knife is made in Italy and can withstand 300lbs of pressure. The soil knife can be purchased directly from the company or found in their Amazon storefront.
Kathleen Walters joined the platform as a Content Editor in 2024 and has a background in History, having earned a bachelor's degree from Miami University and a master's degree from Wright State University. She has previously worked as a Park Ranger with the National Park Service in Dayton, Ohio.
Kathleen Walters, a gardener and garden magazine editor, endorses the A.M. Leonard soil knife for its durability, versatility, and ergonomic design. This versatile tool, ideal for soil preparation, planting, weeding, harvesting, and even cutting through invasive honeysuckle, is a valuable addition to any home-and-garden lifestyle. Its multifunctionality, reducing the need for carrying multiple tools, makes it a preferred choice for many gardeners and park system volunteers.
