Hoes have been used since ancient times to clear or shape soil in preparation for planting, to remove weeds, to harvest potatoes and other root foods, as well many other uses. The rustproof handle gripped well and comfortably thanks to the plastic sleeve and it can be interchanged with multiple tools. The old dog lead chains hang really well on this piece but it took quite a lot of tinkering to get them right.

While the Switchblade model uses a pair of pins and clips to attach a variety of widths of wire loops. However, if you're planning to use it as a tool to tickle soil and neaten beds, then a wider blade could make the work faster. So as you go through my site you'll watch me document some of the professional garden installs I make as well as the major projects I take on at home. If persistent weeds are a problem, you may consider a Dutch hoe with teeth to help you hook out tougher patches. Garden Hoes are traditional hand tools which have been used for many years in a variety of ways, including shaping and clearing soil, removing weeds, and harvesting root crops.The legs and paws used up a very large number of bull-nosed and other types of pliers as they helped define the toes. The scheme also responds to local concerns regarding anti-social behaviour and aspirations for a greener and safer space following local engagement that happened in 2022. The Eyles’ farm is on the edge of the Brecks and Stephen Eyles runs his agricultural engineering business from the farm.

It has a small rectangular paddle that meets the handle at 90° and is used in an up-and-down chopping motion. This tool’s short length meant it was easy to control and the stainless steel blade sliced smoothly through light weeds.They could have been a little longer for my purposes but I chose to keep them as I found them and hope the curlew experts would forgive me.

Likewise if the blade has an epoxy coating or a powder coating it’s going to be more resilient to rusting. I just feel the push and pull motion makes my life that little bit easier and it means I get to go home quicker too! As a nature lover and conservationist I always try to recycle and conserve resources in my day to day life, however as an artist I don’t use scrap metal because it is recycled. Draper are a good quality brand that no doubt you have heard of – they are always delivering mid range tool quality at the lower end of the pricing structure – it applies to almost all hand tools too.

Another addition to the blade is the improved resistance to the alkalis in the soil, the rust and the general wear and tear from usage.