View Full Version : Banana Tools
TommyMacLuckie
09-07-2009, 01:35 PM
The DVD from Hawaii shows the dude popping suckers with some kind of bladed spud bar. Looks much easier to deal with than a shovel - where can I get one?
Also the dude pruning the fronds with that tiny hooked blade - I've tried using all sorts of things, recently a machete attached to a broken pole saw as well as a new pole saw with a really nice pruner on the end.
Neither of those will work as good as that tiny curved blade. Any idea where I could get one? Anyone here have one?
Hey Tommy, I got the cheapest banana knife on ebay and it works like a charm on the leaves and I'd guess the hands of fruit if I got that lucky. It is super cheaply made and I had to push in the wire binding and wrap with electric tape on the handle so the sharp spot didn't find me! Just a sharp blade on a wooden dowel but functionally it's pretty good. Works great on the home grown celery I just cut for a holiday bloody mary too!:ha:
pitangadiego
09-07-2009, 09:15 PM
See Truper Tamper Digging Bar - Post Hole Digger - Ace Hardware (http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1274440) There are several diff brands out there.
Richard
09-07-2009, 10:20 PM
... Neither of those will work as good as that tiny curved blade. Any idea where I could get one? Anyone here have one?
Agricultural supply stores have a wide variety of field knives for laborers. I bought mine at Crop Production Services.
sunfish
09-07-2009, 11:06 PM
How about something like this.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=22615 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=22614&ppuser=2868)
pitangadiego
09-08-2009, 01:28 PM
Sunfish,
Meaning no disrespect, but that is not a real banana tool. Wait till you have to pry out a good, rooted sucker. I have seen suckers as short as 6" that had so many roots, they wouldn't fit in a 15 gallon bucket.
http://webebananas.com/bpix/BP951-77.jpg
pitangadiego
09-08-2009, 01:34 PM
Found my pix of the tool.
http://webebananas.com/bpix/BP952-23.jpg
http://webebananas.com/bpix/BP952-22.jpg
The important features are the slender blade (less root disturbance of the parent plant), the sharp tip, and a stiff handle to withstand prying, when removing the pup. 3/4" steel water pipe is not stiff enough, but 1" will do.
I bought and made a number of tools before I broke down and spent the bucks to get this tool, and haven't needed to replace it in 3 years.
island cassie
09-08-2009, 01:44 PM
Yep - we get something very similar here - not expensive but we have to fit our own handle.
sunfish
09-08-2009, 02:26 PM
Sunfish,
Meaning no disrespect, but that is not a real banana tool. Wait till you have to pry out a good, rooted sucker. I have seen suckers as short as 6" that had so many roots, they wouldn't fit in a 15 gallon bucket.
I was refering to this. Also the dude pruning the fronds with that tiny hooked blade
D_&_T
09-08-2009, 02:31 PM
Basically a hooked carpet Knife!
sunfish
09-08-2009, 03:08 PM
Basically a hooked carpet Knife!
It is like but a little longer a carpet knife. I think a serrated knife like this would have no problem cutting fronds.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=22626 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=22615&ppuser=2868)
momoese
09-08-2009, 04:03 PM
http://www.laurelleaffarm.com/photos/w21246.jpg
I found one these at a yard sale and taped it to the end of a painters extension pole. With this setup fully extended I can reach the highest leaves easily. I keep it sharpened with an angle grinder using a 3" Roloc attachment with 36 grit grinding disc, or sometimes I just hand file the edge. I find that the 36 grit grinding disc works best because it leaves a bit of a serrated edge. I also use it to notch the back of the psuedo stems when harvesting the bunches.
ewitte
09-08-2009, 04:25 PM
what I use
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=12692&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=12692)
Jack Daw
09-08-2009, 04:58 PM
what I use
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=12692&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=12692)
Nice Ka-Bar, although I doubt that the manufacturer meant pruning bananas, when he stated on his website: All-purpose/Utilty knife for this model.
Simply Bananas
09-08-2009, 05:10 PM
Perhaps you are looking for this:
BANANA KNIFE FREE SHIP - eBay (item 200289961486 end time Sep-14-09 15:58:20 PDT) (http://cgi.ebay.com/BANANA-KNIFE-FREE-SHIP_W0QQitemZ200289961486QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0? hash=item2ea236460e&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14)
or
Vintage Remington BANANA KNIFE GC - eBay (item 290347332925 end time Sep-13-09 17:00:00 PDT) (http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Remington-BANANA-KNIFE-GC_W0QQitemZ290347332925QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?ha sh=item439a0cb53d&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14)
or maybe this:
Vintage Lardon Lockback Folding Banana Knife - eBay (item 180404570591 end time Sep-12-09 15:14:22 PDT) (http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Lardon-Lockback-Folding-Banana-Knife_W0QQitemZ180404570591QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0 ?hash=item2a00f349df&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14)
Simply Bananas
09-08-2009, 05:14 PM
Found my pix of the tool.
http://webebananas.com/bpix/BP952-23.jpg
http://webebananas.com/bpix/BP952-22.jpg
The important features are the slender blade (less root disturbance of the parent plant), the sharp tip, and a stiff handle to withstand prying, when removing the pup. 3/4" steel water pipe is not stiff enough, but 1" will do.
I bought and made a number of tools before I broke down and spent the bucks to get this tool, and haven't needed to replace it in 3 years.
I dug this whole clump out with my digging bar.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=22507&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=22507&ppuser=226)
They work great.
pitangadiego
09-08-2009, 09:20 PM
I wouldn't leave home without mine.
austinl01
09-08-2009, 10:21 PM
How do you get enough force to push it through the corm? Is it easy to use and does it make a clean cut? If so, I'll invest in one. I think I've seen them at Home Depot.
TommyMacLuckie
09-08-2009, 10:50 PM
Cool. Thanks y'all. I finally found a place to get pony shovels - maybe they'll have what I'm looking for.
Richard
09-08-2009, 10:55 PM
How do you get enough force to push it through the corm? Is it easy to use and does it make a clean cut? If so, I'll invest in one. I think I've seen them at Home Depot.
Yes, a 4-inch concrete scraper.
coast crab
09-09-2009, 08:36 AM
It is like but a little longer a carpet knife. I think a serrated knife like this would have no problem cutting fronds.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=22626 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=22615&ppuser=2868)
This is a Japanese tool called a "kama". It is a small, hand-held tool used for light weeding in the garden. Much quicker and easier than using a hand trowel, the serrations cut roots below the soil surface with just a quick flick of the wrist. I had never seen one before living and studying in Japan, and now I don't know how I'd function without it. Every gardener should have one, you'll love it.
Russell
pitangadiego
09-09-2009, 09:00 AM
You lift it up, and jam it between the corm and pup, just like an ax. Since it is heavy, the weight helps with the process.
Richard
09-09-2009, 09:45 AM
This is a Japanese tool called a "kama". It is a small, hand-held tool used for light weeding in the garden. Much quicker and easier than using a hand trowel, the serrations cut roots below the soil surface with just a quick flick of the wrist. I had never seen one before living and studying in Japan, and now I don't know how I'd function without it. Every gardener should have one, you'll love it.
Russell
The product sold here in the picture would break after a few plunges into the soil. They are sold for harvesting brocolli, bunches of grapes, etc.
coast crab
09-09-2009, 10:27 AM
The product sold here in the picture would break after a few plunges into the soil. They are sold for harvesting brocolli, bunches of grapes, etc.
Yes, it has a thin blade, but it is not "plunged" into the soil. It is used to LIGHTLY weed - scraping just below the surface almost parallel with the soil level. I guess it could be used for harvesting, I don't doubt it, but I never saw it used that way. Since the blade is so thin it seems that harvesting brocolli would be pretty hard on it too. I would think that a good, sharp, serrated kitchen knife would do a better (and cleaner) job of removing banana leaves. Anyway, that's what I like to use.
The other thing is a big, heavy pry bar used for popping rocks and concrete out of the ground. Yes, it weighs a ton, but it seems like it would mutilate a big corm. You'd have to have a good aim.
R
sunfish
09-09-2009, 11:06 AM
Barnel Landscape Sod Trimming Knife #725
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=22626 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=22614&ppuser=2868)
coast crab
09-09-2009, 11:29 AM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=22692&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=22692&ppuser=5745)
"Kama", brought home with me from Japan in 1987. Well worn, knicked, but not broken. The real miracle is that after 22 years I haven't lost it in my garden somewhere.
Obviously a tool of many uses.
R
sunfish
09-09-2009, 11:37 AM
We had that same knife when I worked for Valley Crest Landscape . It was used for cutting sod. Worked great ,stayed sharp .
Richard
09-09-2009, 12:21 PM
Here's my harvest knife:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=22693&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=22693)
Nicolas Naranja
09-09-2009, 03:19 PM
I had always used a cane knife to prune, I am quite interested in the dehanding knives, I didn't think of e-bay when I last looked
austinl01
09-12-2009, 11:22 PM
Found my pix of the tool.
http://webebananas.com/bpix/BP952-23.jpg
I just bought one of these at Home Depot today for $32. I can't wait to give it a try when the bananas come up this fall.
austinl01
09-19-2009, 03:23 PM
Well, I tried my new digging bar today to separate these two Raja Puri bananas. I'm happy to report that it performed beautifully. The bar made a nice, clean cut through the pseudostem with minimal effort. It's easy to aim and required no knee work like a regular shovel would. I like how its small size and straight handle allows you to really make a good cut without destroying the leaves of the plants. I should have invested in one of these a long time ago. I'm more than pleased with it, and the price isn't unreasonable either for a full steel bar. I will be using it to dig up my non-hardy clumps of bananas this fall. Thanks for the thread.
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2/austinl01/RajaPuri.jpg
austinl01
10-07-2009, 10:01 PM
This looks like a good banana knife. What are the difference in blade sizes used for?
New Banana Knife Banana Harvesting Knifes 3" blade Hyde - eBay (item 120472966709 end time Oct-23-09 11:51:19 PDT) (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120472966709&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en)
New Banana Knife Banana Harvesting Knife lot of 2 Hyde - eBay (item 360192168290 end time Oct-23-09 11:19:03 PDT) (http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Banana-Knife-Banana-Harvesting-Knife-lot-of-2-Hyde_W0QQitemZ360192168290QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0? hash=item53dd205162)
Richard
10-07-2009, 10:09 PM
Austin, those seem pricey to me. I bought the harvest knife below for $8 at a local nursery -- you should be able to do the same in your location.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=22693&size=1
cvining
10-07-2009, 10:18 PM
Thanks for the post. I have seen what are the many variation of tools needed for harvesting.
Nicolas Naranja
10-07-2009, 10:20 PM
I just got a couple different knives from horticulturesource, one of them similar to Richards, the other is a tomato knife with a very sharp 2" blade, and the other has a 3" smooth hooked blade. I've got 2 bunches that will be ready in about 10 days or so, I will see how they fare.
Addition:
Those knives are expensive, check Sickles & Landscape / Harvest Knives - Hand Tools - Seed / Clone to Harvest, Landscape, Knives, Shears, Loppers, etc. - Discount Specialty Farm, Greenhouse & Garden Supply: Horticulture Source (http://www.horticulturesource.com/hand-tools-seed-clone-to-harvest-landscape-knives-shears-loppers-etc--c33/sickles-landscape-harvest-knives-s89/?sort=1d&page=2&osCsid=cfec7b710c93c2812543294b3f2bd322)
for some knives
mckoinld
10-08-2009, 10:34 PM
A friend built a bamboo tool for me and I tried it today to remove some IC pups. It worked really well. It is a 2 part tool. Blade with solid rod for handle and hammer sleve that slides down over the rod. Just place the blade where you want it and 2 or 3 strikes with the sleve is all it takes. http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=24560&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=24560)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=24562&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=24562)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=24558&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=24558)
austinl01
10-13-2009, 10:21 PM
Thanks, all. I have been using this folding saw that I bought at Lowe's. It has a 10 inch blade and does a good job cutting through banana leaves.
http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/013828/013828112756md.jpg
Taylor
10-13-2009, 10:55 PM
On my local Craigslist, someone was selling a Chiquita banana knife! I contacted them about it the same day they posted, but it was already sold. $25. It looked substantial enough to cut the fruits, so leaves wouldn't be a problem. Looked like it could even cut off pups. I cannot find a single picture like it online anywhere, and the person has since deleted their post!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/rrclimber/smilies/bananaWrench.gif
Abnshrek
10-13-2009, 11:39 PM
The Sod knifes look like the y would be effective for many things. Now that long handled rock wedge doesn't look like it would be very precise in propogation. I don't like cutting any roots. I haven't seen a pup attached that was wider than 2 inches. I use a short crow-bar that has a flat top so if need be I can hit it with a rubber mallet the other end I welded in the nail gap with high grade welding filler then took it to the grinding wheel. It's the prop-po-gator..tm pending all rights reserved. lmao
sandy0225
10-14-2009, 06:33 AM
I've found this works well with a stump bucket!
Works good on bamboo too!
http://thumb0.webshots.net/s/thumb4/7/82/85/175778285FeiXpx_th.jpg (http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/1175778285058549380FeiXpx)
mckoinld
10-14-2009, 10:25 AM
Well Yeah! That should work on every thing. Can you tissue culture it and send us all one. I love to play with big toys.
microfarmer
03-31-2011, 02:00 PM
I've found this works well with a stump bucket!
Works good on bamboo too!
http://thumb0.webshots.net/s/thumb4/7/82/85/175778285FeiXpx_th.jpg (http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/1175778285058549380FeiXpx)
I love skidsteers! :08:
sunfish
11-28-2012, 08:09 AM
All-in-one tool peels, splits, and slices bananas (http://www.gizmag.com/3-in-1-banana-split-tool/25023/)
vBulletin® v3.6.8, Copyright ©2000-2020, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.