Traditional Japanese hand tools accomplish work by relying more on angle of attack and blade sharpness rather than force and weight. A high carbon steel is commonly used that can be honed to a very sharp edge, the head is typically set at a very ergonomic angle, with the whole assembly being lightweight to reduce fatigue.

• Sickle (Kama) - While requiring a stooped or kneeling posture, the light weight and extremely sharp blade make this tool my favorite for selective cutting where a scythe won't fit. It cuts well with a flicking motion, with the blade hitting the target in a slicing motion. They are available in different weights and sizes.
• Hoe (Kuwa) - The long lightweight handle and the sharp blade angle makes for an easily adjusted cutting angle from scalping to deep cutting. Combined with a sharp English garden spade to cut the edge followed by this hoe makes very light work of cutting edges for new sheet mulch beds where a formal edge is desired. It is also great for rough working sod in preparation for overseeding.
• Brushhook (Yabukarigama) - This is a great tool for clearing blackberry (Rubus discolor). It can be used in a chopping motion, or held level and used to cut canes off at the knees, while a partner rolls back the canes. You can work a whole hillside of blackberry in the time it takes another to nibble at a corner with pruning tools.

▼This page or section includes content from the Permaculture.info wiki, which is being merged into Appropedia.

The original article was at Japanese hand tools. As with Appropedia, Permaculture.info licensed its content under the CC-BY-SA.