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How to improve the Trowel?

Alexandra00Alexandra00 Posts: 1
in Tools and techniques

Hello GW, 

I am currently an Industrial Designer designing and producing a new and improved gardening trowel.

Does anybody have any suggestions for:

+ Frustrating parts of current trowel designs (discomfort, cleaning etc.) ?

+ Anything you would love to see in a new trowel?

Do you see value in:

+ A deep dished blade that turns into a narrower blade that can be used similar to a fork to agitate and move anything from clay to composted garden beds?

Thanks very much image

I really appreciate your help!

Alexandra 

«1

Posts

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,888

    IMHO it's cost so much to , basically, over-engineer such a product, it'd be easier and cheaper to use more than one tool. 

    I also think all that ability to turn from one thing to another is due to break down fairly quickly. 

    My garden trowel and fork are both decades old and in constant use.

    Devon.
  • Daryl2Daryl2 Posts: 452

    I think that the basic shape and design has been the same for hundreds of years all over the world because it works just fine the way it is image

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,140

    Strength of the bit where the blade and handle join, and a comfortable wooden handle are all I ask of a trowel image

     

    Edited to add:  and a nice leather thong for hanging it on the back of the shed door!


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,888

    I'd not want a knife which turns into a fork then a spoon. 

    " If it aint broke, don't try to mend it"

    Devon.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,140
    Hostafan1 wrote (see)

    I'd not want a knife which turns into a fork then a spoon. 

    " If it aint broke, don't try to mend it"

    I was just going to say that Hosta! image

    I think, if I really wanted to improve the trowel, I'd ask people for all their broken ones and then try to find out why they broke and make one that didn't.

    But then no one would buy any more 'cos they'd broken theirs .... image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618

    I want one that doesn't bend where it is attached to the handle. Also a comfy non slip handle. Also a homing device so it doesnt get lost. Last year was a particularly bad year for trowels. One lost, one bent, one snapped. 

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,503

    I'm with verdun handle,and blade one piece.

    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • archiepemarchiepem Posts: 1,155

    Most kitchen utensils will double up .for gardening image

     

    Ps don't tell oh

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