A Tool of Importance in My Food Forest OrchardA Tool of Importance in My Food Forest Orchard

I have really enjoyed the questions/contests from @offgrid-online. Looking through the entries each week always gives me new inspirations. New things are learned from one or more fellow Steemian's entries each week. And being addicted to learning new and creative techniques or ideas, I often find myself coming back to check if a new entry has been submitted.

This week, @offgrid-online would like to see a post about your favorite tried and true hand tool or set of tools - and how the tool or combination is used.

The contest caught my eye. It wasn't because I knew the answer right away. It was the opposite. I don't think I have ever analyzed the uses or need for hand tools. Just like forks and knives, they are just there. You ever heard anybody pose the question "what is your favorite eating utensil"? I'm sure with debate and observation, one could come up with a valid and logical reason as to which utensil makes eating better. But really, we all just take for granted what we use to eat our meals with. They are just part of what our society is. And hand tools in the garden had been treated with the same amount of thought. Plus, I have a no dig food forest and use my God given hands as tools more than any other man made one.

I have a no dig food forest and use my God given hands as tools more than any other man made one

However, soon after thinking about the hand tools I use, I understood how important they are and what they have done for me. I also came to the conclusion that many of the common types of tools (hand trowel, shovel, rake, hoe, etc) seem to be interchangeable, or at least be able to do similar work compared with many other garden tools. Maybe not as easily, but still gets the task done. You know, like using a hand trowel to dig a hole, rather than going to the shed and getting the shovel. Or raking up some leaves with a hoe.

The tool I found myself leaning towards after visualizing what each and everyone in my garden does, was one that only has one true purpose. It can't be used to dig or pull. It's not common and it has always done what it claims to do. And that is with very little effort and minimal practice.

In this post, I will show you that one single tool. It quite possibly will be the first time a few of you have ever seen such a fancy tool that is commonly used.

Samurai Ichiban 330Mm Pruning Saw

My favorite (and most dangerous) hand tool is the Samurai Ichiban 330Mm Pruning Saw. The saw is an incredibly well constructed tool that is made in Japan. It has extremely sharp teeth and the curved shape design is easy on the hands. It cuts through branches like a warm knife through organic butter. It's design allows it to reach into narrow crotches and make clean, quick cuts. This is one reason it makes the perfect tool for fine pruning fruit trees. When used properly, it's cuts leave the wood smooth, with no excess wood dangling off of the remaining branches. The area also heals over consistently every time. It is not one of my most used hand tools, but when it is needed, there is nothing like it. My experience is limited, as I have only been using it on less than fifteen trees over the past several years. But in that time, it has been priceless, and did I mention sharp?

In my opinion, a must have if you are growing fruit trees.

The design of this saw allows it to get into narrow crotches so it is the perfect tool for fine pruning on fruit trees. It cuts smoothly and the wound it leaves behind heals over nicely every time.

Be sure to clean and return the saw to it's protective cover when not in use because, once again, it is super sharp. When you see and feel how it slides through living wood, the sharpness will be understood. Just a minor nic or brush against the skin can easily draw blood. (This is from personally experience, owwww!!!!!)

The design on the handle makes it easier and quicker to do the cuts.

This is the best handsaw I have ever owned or used, but that's not saying much since I have only owned a few hand saws. Those saws however, were not designed for garden use and were never used to trim branches or limbs on fruit trees. This is the only hand saw I have ever used on fruit or nut trees. If you know of, or have experienced a similar type of hand saw please share your thoughts on them.

Below is a great video comparing different hand saws and why Samurai Ichiban is the best saw ever :

Video source

Do you have a favorite hand tool or a set of hand tools? Please share your thoughts and join the contest. You can find more info on the contest here.

If you are not following @offgrid-online, you are missing out on some great content. Don't believe me, see it for yourself.