Are you tired of using ordinary knives for grafting and pruning your plants?
As passionate gardeners, we know how important it is to have the right tools to do the job efficiently and effectively. And that’s why we are excited to share with you the top best grafting knives for 2023.
After testing and researching various knives, we have compiled a list of the best grafting knives to make your gardening experience a breeze. From durability to sharpness, each knife has unique features that make it stand out from the rest. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned gardener, a knife on this list will cater to your needs.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to upgrade your gardening tools. Head over to our website to read the full reviews and decide which grafting knife to add to your collection.
List of The Best Grafting Knife in 2023
Image | Product | Our Rating | Price |
Our Pick 1 | PGCOKO Folding Grafting Knife | 9.7 | |
2 | FELCO Foldable Grafting and Pruning Knife | 9.2 | |
3 | Truly Garden-Folding Gardening Knife | 8.7 | |
4 | FELCO 3.90 20 Horticultural Knife | 8.1 | |
5 | ZSYS UP-Folding Grafting Knife | 7.6 | |
6 | Barnel USA B6050 Folding Grafting Knife | 7.2 | |
7 | Linsen Outdoor Pruning Knife | 7 |
1. PGCOKO Folding Grafting Knife: Best Overall
This grafting knife has been our first choice to us since we have used it. Because of its 2 in 1 functionality. One knife is curved, and another is a straight knife.
It is a folding pocket knife. Also, it has a bevel sharp edge blade. The blades are useful for grafting and pruning. We can use it as a pocket knife. When we used the knife, we found the blade was very strong. So the grafting was perfect, and the blade is made of stainless steel.
The handle is made of wood and so smooth. Overall the knife is light-weight, smooth, and sharp. We can also do the planting, digging, weeding, and budding with the same knife. It is unique because of its multi-functionality.
Pros
- It has multiple functionalities and two types of blades.
- The bevel blades are sharp-edged and smooth to cut.
- It is easy to use for both left-handed and right-handed people.
- In the box, you will get grafting tape free with it.
Cons
- It should be handled very carefully. Otherwise, it may cause harm.
2. FELCO Foldable Grafting and Pruning Knife
It is a folding knife that we found best for multiple uses. This knife is one of the best-selling knives. The smooth, curved, and sharp-edged blade works well at grafting and pruning. FELCO has always been visible in our gardening tools. This time it has come with another well-designed, beautiful, and easy-to-handle pocket grafting knife.
We also use it for budding. The wooden handle is smooth, and the blade is completely made of stainless steel. Three rivets of the handle have made it easy to fold or unfold the knife. It is a small and light-weighted knife.
Pros
- It has a durable and smooth handle
- The sharp and curve-edged blade is just perfect for grafting and budding.
- It is foldable and small. So it’s easy to carry and use.
Cons
- Need to maintain caution while using
- A bit more expensive than the competitors.
3. Truly Garden-Folding Gardening Knife
This Truly Garden knife is also a foldable and wooden-handled grafting knife. It is also fine for multi-purposes. It works well as a pocket knife too. The unique part of the knife is it has a locking mechanism.
So, the probability of causing harm is less than the others on the list. The hawkbill blade is made of stainless steel and is 2.75 inches long and curved. So, it suits well for grafting and budding. The handle is made of pure rosewood. We use this knife for budding, grafting, pruning, opening bags, cutting tape or boxes, etc.
Pros
- It has a smart locking system and so it is safer to use.
- Small and light-weight knife.
- It is comfortable to use for all types of hands.
Cons
- The blades are not too sharp to use.
4. FELCO 3.90 20 Horticultural Knife
This FELCO knife is a pocket knife with a straight back. This one also has a razor made of stainless steel. Hence, the knife is long-lasting. The knife seems not to work for grafting, but the truth is it works great for grafting, pruning, and budding.
Because at the top of the blade, it has a 0.75-inch long curved blade. It even works so smoothly in grafting rather than many other tools. It has Swiss quality and a polymer grip with a beautiful design. Another color is also available for this pocket knife.
Pros
- The handle and the razor are fine for use for ages.
- It is great for horticulture, gardening, and farming.
- It is easy to maintain.
- It is light-weight and sturdy.
Cons
- It is not suitable for use for other uses like cutting boxes.
- It is much expensive.
5. ZSYS UP-Folding Grafting Knife
It is a folding pocket knife with multi-purpose usability. We have used the knife for gardening regularly. It is especially recommended for pruning as the blade is made of premium Japanese material. It has durable handle construction which is made of wood. The grip is 5.11 inches long, and the blade is 2.6 inches long.
The blade is fixed with the handle using two rivets. So, it is easy to fold, and it has a good sturdiness. We use this knife widely for different purposes, such as cutting rope or wires, trimming and crafting, budding, etc.
Pros
- It is easy to fold or unfold. So, it gives a comfortable use.
- It has a non-slip surface.
- It is very suitable for grafting and pruning.
- Multi-purpose usability is fine for this product.
Cons
- Blades needed to be sharper.
6. Barnel USA B6050 Folding Grafting Knife
This knife has high carbon combined steel blade. The handle is a Bobinga hardwood handle which has a nice gripping. It is very light-weight and only 0.14 pounds. The golden brass rivets and lining have made it look so beautiful.
Also, the handling is smooth, and the blade is well-fixed to the handle. The blade is small and only 2.25 inches long. We have used the knife for grafting and pruning. It works well.
Pros
- The blade is smooth and has multiple uses
- It has nice gripping and comfortable use.
- It has an ergonomic handle and good packaging.
Cons
- It is not a good choice for budding and digging.
- Blades needed to be sharper.
7. Linsen Outdoor Pruning Knife
Linsen Outdoor knives are best-selling, and this one is too. The blade is sharp-edged and made of high-quality stainless steel. The blade is curved. So, it is best suited for budding, digging, weeding, etc. It is a small folding knife with a comfortable grip.
The blade is strong enough and can be used for multiple purposes. The handle material is wood. The tool is suitable for grafting, budding, digging, sawing, hunting, etc. It also helps with household chores.
Pros
- The curved blade is good for budding
- The blade is sharp enough
- It is good for multi-purpose uses.
Cons
- It is not long-lasting.
How to Choose a Grafting Knife
1. Blade Material: The blade material is an essential factor to consider when choosing a grafting knife. Stainless steel is a popular choice due to its durability and resistance to rust and corrosion. High carbon steel blades are also a good option as they are sharp and hold an edge well.
2. Blade Design: Two common blade designs for grafting knives are straight and curved. Straight blades are best for making precise cuts, while curved blades are ideal for cutting around the stem. But we recommend using a straight knife.
3. Blade Size: The size of the blade is another important factor to consider. A blade large or too small can make grafting difficult. Choose a blade size that suits the size of the plants you will be grafting. But 2.5 inches to 3 inches will be best for grafting.
4. Handle: The handle of a grafting knife should be comfortable to hold and provide a good grip. Look for a knife with a non-slip handle made from durable materials. The wooden handle is best for gardening uses.
How to sharpen a Grafting knife
Sharpening a grafting knife is essential for anyone who wants to ensure their knife always performs at its best. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to sharpen a grafting knife.
Step 1: Gather your materials
Before you start sharpening your grafting knife, you’ll need to gather some supplies:
- A sharpening stone (preferably a fine-grit diamond stone)
- Water
- Honing oil (optional)
Step 2: Prep your knife
Wipe your knife blade with a clean cloth or towel to remove any dirt, debris, or rust. If your knife is really dirty or rusty, you may need to use a rust remover or steel wool to clean it thoroughly.
Step 3: Choose your angle
The ideal angle for sharpening a grafting knife is between 15 and 20 degrees. Find the angle that works best for you and stick to it throughout the sharpening process.
Step 4: Apply honing oil
Apply honing oil or water to your sharpening stone. This will help lubricate the stone and make it easier to sharpen your knife.
Step 5: Sharpen the blade
Hold the knife at the desired angle and drag the blade across the sharpening stone, away from your body. Use light pressure and keep the blade at the same angle throughout the sharpening process. Repeat this process on the other side of the blade, keeping the same angle.
Step 6: Test the blade
After sharpening, test the blade’s sharpness by gently slicing through a piece of paper. If the blade cuts through the paper cleanly, it’s sharp enough. If not, repeat steps 5 and 6 until you achieve the desired sharpness.
Best Practices for Using a Grafting Knife
- Always sharpen your grafting knife on a flat surface.
- Use light pressure when sharpening to avoid damaging the blade.
- Always sharpen the blade at the same angle.
- Test the blade’s sharpness after sharpening to ensure it’s sharp enough.
- Sharpen your grafting knife before each use to ensure it’s always performing at its best.
- Store your grafting knife in a protective sheath or case to prevent damage to the blade.
- Clean your grafting knife after each use to keep it in good condition.
Frequently Asked Question
How Long Should a Grafting Knife?
For grafting, the best length of the blade is 2.5 inches to 3 inches. The curved knife is good for grafting and budding. Also, the shape of the knife depends on the purpose of use. The handle should be between 5 inches to 6 inches long.
What Is the Difference Between Grafting and a Gardening Knife?
Grafting and gardening knives are two different tools with distinct purposes.
Grafting knives are specifically designed for the process of grafting, which involves joining two different plants together to create a hybrid plant. These knives have a special shape that allows for precise cuts and a handle that provides a comfortable grip for extended use. And it has a specialized blade that allows for precise cuts on the scion and rootstock during grafting.
On the other hand, gardening knives are multi-purpose tools used for various tasks in the garden, such as digging, weeding, pruning, and harvesting. They typically have a straight blade with a serrated edge for sawing through tough stems and roots.
While both grafting and gardening knives are used in gardening, they serve different purposes and have unique features that make them useful in their respective tasks.
What is The Best Grafting and Budding Knife?
When it comes to grafting and budding, having the right knife is crucial. The best grafting and budding knife will have a sharp, thin blade that can make clean cuts without damaging the delicate tissues of the plant.
Look for a knife with a comfortable handle that allows for a secure grip and precise control. One knife that consistently receives high praise from gardeners and horticulturists is the PGCOKO Folding Grafting Knife.
What Is the Difference Between a Budding and a Grafting Knife?
Two different types of knives are commonly used for grafting and budding: grafting knives and budding knives. While both are designed to make precise cuts in plants for propagation purposes, there are some key differences between the two.
A budding knife is specifically designed for the process of budding, which involves inserting a bud from one plant into another plant’s stem or rootstock. The primary feature of a budding knife is its thin, slightly curved blade, perfect for making precise T-shaped or inverted T-shaped cuts on the plant’s bark.
On the other hand, a grafting knife is used for grafting, a technique where a piece of a plant (scion) is joined to another plant (rootstock) to create a new, more desirable plant variety. Grafting knives have thicker, straighter, and more rigid blade designed for making clean, straight cuts in both the scion and rootstock.
Which is better: a fixed blade or a folding knife?
Fixed blades are sturdier and more reliable, making them a good choice for heavy or frequent grafting. However, they can be bulkier and less portable than folding knives.
Folding knives are more compact and easier to carry around, but they may not have the same level of durability as fixed blades. We recommend using a fixed blade for graft.
Bottom Line
When it comes to grafting, having the best grafting knife is essential. With so many options on the market, knowing which one to choose can be difficult. However, after researching and comparing various knives, we have determined your top options.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced grafter, these knives will make your job easier and more efficient.
If you have any questions or want to learn more, then Join our forum and share your thoughts on the best grafting knife or ask any questions. We’d love to hear from you.