NisakuNJP2516 Medium Handle Sidewalk and Garden Weeder, Authentic Tomita (Est. 1960) Japanese Stainless Steel, Blade Width 3.5", Polished 17.75" Wood Handle

I really wanted the larger version of this tool so I wouldn't have to get down on my hands and knees, but there are NO REPLACEMENT BLADES for that. So I went with this one instead and broke out my handy-dandy kneeling pad. All summer I've been trying to get rid of the bermuda grass growing in the expansion seams across my driveway and a few other places. Tried with a sharpened shovel - no go for little old lady person in 100+ heat. Tried with the Nisaku NJP1820 Tayouto Multi Weed Scraper - also no go, VERY hard going, that tool is just not sharp enough I guess. Just the wrong sort of blade. When I discovered the larger version had NO REPLACEMENT BLADE I dithered yet another while, then finally broke down and bought this. It was this or one of the ones with a shorter handle and having used this now I am glad I went with the longer handle. It gives me more purchase on the tool to get those tough tough bermuda glass stems and roots. I can chop-slide the blade along the pavement with both hands (you have to get situated oriented properly to the chopping area to do this right, it may take a bit of scooching around, I can't explain very well but you'll know it when you hit the sweet spot and be able to repeat that once you find it). This gives me more power to get through the tough overgrown (ALL SUMMER its had to power its grip up) bermuda grass.I won't say it was EASY, but it was at least possible without totally killing myself. Given every single other method I've tried - including the screwdriver method - had me giving up no more than an inch or two into the line of bermuda grass marching across my driveway (sometimes even without making a dent AT ALL) I'd call that a wonderment and a blessing.Now if they'd just start making replacement blades for the big one (Nisaku NJP2520 Long Sidewalk and Garden Weeder-and-Sweeper), I wouldn't have to get down on my hands and knees at all any more for this type of task.I will say, though, that the handle was sturdy enough to help me leverage myself up off the ground when I needed to move. Handle end on the ground, blade pointing up and away, just enough help to get me up and going, don't lean on it too hard lest it slip and you cut yourself or fall on the blade. If you need more than a little assist, take your cane with you and lean on that to get up LOL!

The good part: This tool shreds weeds growing from sidewalk expansion grooves, cracks, seams between parking lots and sidewalks, seams between curbstones and parking lots, etc., with gleeful abandon. Good, stout handle, nice stainless steel construction. The handle is only about two feet long (the whole tool being roughly hatchet-sized), so it's easy to control.The bad part: Nice, good quality stainless steel, like any remotely economical material, isn't really enough for the kind of abuse this tool is meant for (or at least the kind I subject it to). The edge that comes on it isn't that great, but that doesn't matter because no blade anyone makes is going to hold an edge for very long when being ground against pavement constantly. I recommend sharpening the blade frequently on the sidewalk while weeding - easy enough, but it does cause the blade to wear away alarmingly fast. (You won't get a very good, clean edge this way either - just as well, since a good, clean edge would last for about five seconds of actual use.) Be prepared to buy replacements (https://www.amazon.com/Nisaku-NJP2517-3-Pack-Stainless-Replacement/dp/B01MG96M1C/), and try not to grind away the screw head (or nut) that you'll need to remove to replace the blade. The handle is only two feet long or so, which means you'll be kneeling or bending over a lot.

This weeder is great for getting those difficult weeds that grow betwenn pavers or bricks and along sidewalks. Easy to use, great design.

Works ok but it is not going to blow you alway

Please bring back this product !

I would never have ordered this if I knew I’d practically be standing in my head to use it.

Definitely works well as advertised, but handle is too short.Hurts my back like hell when having to put pressure in sidewalk cracks.Even when kneeling down, still hurts my back.The one with the longer handle is Unavailable. Looking forward to buying it when it's back in.

This is very well made. The wood handle is sturdy and heavy. It says what it does and does what it says. Works really well to get those pesky weeds that grow in the sidewalk cracks. I like the fact that I can buy replacement blades if needed. So far it’s holding up well. Definitely recommend.