Kakushu kama, Yonezawa type sickle-hoe

A hand forged carbon steel sickle-hoe with a crane-necked tang fixed to a poplar wood handle, of a type thought to have originated in the vicinity of Yonezawa City but in this case from Asano Mokkousho of Tsubame-Sanjo, Niigata Prefecture, central Japan. The carbon steel the blade takes an excellent edge — ideal for cutting through weed roots amidst borders and vegetables — it is though prone to rust so should be wiped clean and kept dry when not in use, and if stored for any length of time lightly oiled. Chopped aggressively into the soil and pulled these act as both weeders and cultivators as well potentially as a kind of gaff useful for lifting stones, paving, or other larger debris. With an overall length of 42cm, and width of about 14cm.