The Homi is an ancient Asian tool that was believed to have originated in Korea. Its Korean name, Homi, means ‘little spear’. Women, working on small family farms, carried only a homi to accomplish their day’s work in the fields. Over time, the homi was gently crafted and re-crafted until it became the perfect tool. the Homi combines a very sharp point for digging, cutting and trenching with a precisely angled, triangular blade used for weeding. It has exact balance between the handle and blade, perhaps the most important feature of all. The balance eases the tension on the muscles of the forearm so the user can work for hours without experiencing muscle fatigue. The blade is hand forged in small blacksmith shops in the area outside of Seoul, Korea. The triangular blade is made of sturdy, heat-treated metal and deeply anchored into a hardwood handle. A single homi replaces the trowel, dibber, hand hoe and hand rake combined. It has one drawback. Most homis available for purchase in the US today are designed for right-handed people. In the hands of a left-handed person, a right-handed homi is not comfortable. Harvesting History does not sell a left-handed homi because we have not been able to find one that is commercially available. If you are left-handed, ask if the store where you are purchasing your homi sells a left-handed version. If the answer is “no” or, worse, “There is no difference”, don’t purchase the tool they offer. When most of us are sick of weeding, the homi makes quick work of garden weeds. It cuts to pieces nagging roots and allows you to gently remove some mighty big rocks. Later in the fall, you will find that it is an exceptional tool for planting bulbs. You will also find that it breaks up soil nicely and it allows you to work compost into the soil easily without disturbing the other plants. This piece of Korea’s heritage has made its way into many of the world’s cultures. It just proves the point that appreciation for perfection in design, utility and versatility can be ubiquitous and knows no cultural barriers.