A quality Kusakichi Bachi Gata hand hoe forged in one solid head piece. Made of high carbon steel, the blade is very sharp & cuts tough weeds & roots with ease. The hoe is also good for harvesting & cultivating soil. The blade is  slightly curved which helps dig into the soil easily. The blade also easily resharpens when the need arises. It is also a good idea to tap in the wedge on the top of the handle occasionally, since the hardwood handle may expand & shrink over time due to moisture. Kusakichi - Yoshida Hamano.,
,About Carbon Steel,High carbon steel is tougher & harder than stainless steels, making it ideal & desirable for applications where durability is required & where frequent regrinding is needed. Carbon steels are more durable & have razor-sharp edges, & is easy to re-sharpen as well when the need arises. Kusakichi "Bachi Gata" Hoe