What's this tool?
Nerine Lover
Posts: 4
Hi all. I'm hoping someone can help me with this. I own a hand tool which was originally my fathers so its probably about 40 years old at least, but is in very good condition. It's the most amazing tool for getting weeds out of lawns and I dread it breaking as I've no idea where to get another one, despite endless searches online and in stores. I've tried about 6 other modern weeding tools but none of them is a patch on this one.
In total it's about 8.5 inches long, with a stainless steel 'blade' (of about 3.5 inches) set in a rubbery handle. The 'blade' doesn't have a sharpened edge, but its sufficiently thin and yet robust to enter lawns cleanly. It's also an interesting curved shape, almost like an opened cone.
I'd love to be able to find another one, ready for when this one does eventually break. Maybe a tool manufacturer would like to make one! I've considered the possibility that its not actually a gardening tool at all - perhaps it was originally designed for another purpose?? Can anyone help please?
Posts
Apple corer maybe?
Looks very useful for weed removal
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Looks like it's for removing dandelions and other deep rooted weeds from lawns.
Yes, its absolutely brilliant for just about all weeds, but especially dandelions and docks. I quite like the apple corer idea. I've looked at images on google of vintage apple corers and there are some similar tools, though my gut feeling is that this tools' a bit large for apples and probably not sharp enough. What makes it so good for weeds is that unlike other weeding knives it doesn't cut through the tap root as it has no sharp edge.
It's a thingy for inserting bulbs into lawns. If they are still available, i'd love one.
No - it's definitely not a tool for planting bulbs. It's far too small for that - you'd barely get a snowdrop bulb in with it!!!
I do have a bulb planter - much larger - but I agree with pansyface, it is pretty useless. I've had it years and barely used it.
I guess the best answer is that it is a weeding tool, which is exactly what I've been doing with it for donkey's years, but I'd love to know what company made it, and if they're still making them like this.
a company called ardinco used to make something back in the dark ages that looked a bit like this.
Not sure if it was a weeder or a seedling trowel. I've not seen anything like it now.
Ah...brilliant. Yes, I've looked on the web at 'Ardinco' and yes, there's a vintage weeding tool very much like mine. I wonder if the company still exists? I shall do some further research. Thank you VERY much for your help.