Couldn't post yesterday. Re handle length: I read somewhere once that garden forks etc were based on those used by miners in confined spaces, hence short handles. Not sure if I believe it, but I tried it and find it is often much easier to work kneeling rather than standing. Weeding or clearing, once you have reasonable soil, means much less stooping and bending from a kneeling position and is kinder on the back. Luckily I don't have bad knees, despite spending more time on them than most nuns!
Andrew 18, if you can design lawn edging shears that collect the clippings and a combined secateur/weeding tool (like a daisy dibber) I'm sure you'd find a market not just among the over 50s! (Remember me when you've made your millions ????)
Garden tools have generally evolved to be the optimum for the job, but inevitably the weak link is the person who has to use them, and if the person is not strong, flexible, patient or sensible enough to do the job they often blame the tools. The result of this is that people re-design tools so that they are theoretically able to be used by a wider range of people, but the effectiveness of the tool is then compromised: it's often light and weak, so it breaks, whether it's a hand tool or an under-designed power tool.
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My petrol strimmer and hedgecutter are both heavy. I always end up getting stuck in the chair when I've been using those! Radox bath required!
I've some spring loaded secateurs that I love and call my "weapon of choice" when I'm gardening
I would of really liked an easier way of turning the soil so the tools take the strain
a differently designed digging tool like a tiller but a non mechanical version.
I've found a great "easier way".
I got a gardener
Do you bark orders at him whilst drinking a margarita
Do this do that NOOOOOO not like that!!!!
Loppers with telescopic handles. Too heavy, balance wrong and one handle keeps untelescopicking. Easier to use a ladder
Couldn't post yesterday. Re handle length: I read somewhere once that garden forks etc were based on those used by miners in confined spaces, hence short handles. Not sure if I believe it, but I tried it and find it is often much easier to work kneeling rather than standing. Weeding or clearing, once you have reasonable soil, means much less stooping and bending from a kneeling position and is kinder on the back. Luckily I don't have bad knees, despite spending more time on them than most nuns!
I'd never do that to my gardener... heck I need him to stay
Andrew 18, if you can design lawn edging shears that collect the clippings and a combined secateur/weeding tool (like a daisy dibber) I'm sure you'd find a market not just among the over 50s! (Remember me when you've made your millions ????)
Andrew,
Garden tools have generally evolved to be the optimum for the job, but inevitably the weak link is the person who has to use them, and if the person is not strong, flexible, patient or sensible enough to do the job they often blame the tools. The result of this is that people re-design tools so that they are theoretically able to be used by a wider range of people, but the effectiveness of the tool is then compromised: it's often light and weak, so it breaks, whether it's a hand tool or an under-designed power tool.