Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Chatting => Equipment Shed => Topic started by: mushroom on November 19, 2007, 20:01

Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: mushroom on November 19, 2007, 20:01
I'm getting the large Azada (grub hoe) - just ordered it online from
http://www.get-digging.co.uk/

I'm looking foward to using it on the uncultivated part of my plot. has anyone here used one of these? Seems to have a good write-up.
Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: WG. on November 19, 2007, 20:08
I got a 5lb heavy mattock this year and I really like it.  Narrower head than an azada but still very handy.  Reverse side has a blade at 90% which makes short work of tough roots.
Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: mushroom on November 19, 2007, 20:12
how long is the handle?

I've a mattock as well, but I'm q tall, so it can get uncomfortable. Seems those things were made for 5 ft people rather than over 6 ft. This azazla thing has a 5 ft handle :)
Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: WG. on November 19, 2007, 20:15
Full length (and very strong) as you would have on a pick.  Maybe 3ft long?
Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: mushroom on November 19, 2007, 20:21
yep I reckon my mattock has a 3ft handle. I'd say the head was about 5 lbs maybe heavier. Makes short work of tufts and that kind of thing, I'll use it on the brambles when I've sorted out the above ground part of the plants. Thing is, it really needs to be raised above the head for that kind of work. Wonder if I can get a larger handle fitted...  :?:  :idea:
Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: gobs on November 19, 2007, 20:39
Wherever Azada name comes from, I have one triangular one, given to me by my father -in-law, who called it a trench hoe.

I would have never managed that overgrown clay land I was initially given without it, a brilliant thing! If sharp and strong, good for a multitude of jobs, cuts like machettes, hoes like nothing, can uproot with it if you wish, one bang, one potato for planting, breaking up and loosening soil, shallow drills or deep drills for your convenience and cutting edges on the fast. 8)

Soooooooo much thanks for the site, cos I've been looking for a replacement for ages, as mine is old and broken a bit and could not find one. :roll:

One of the best investments you made I think.

5 feet handle is quite long, isn't it?
Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: mushroom on November 19, 2007, 21:37
Quote from: "gobs"

Soooooooo much thanks for the site, cos I've been looking for a replacement for ages, as mine is old and broken a bit and could not find one. :roll:

One of the best investments you made I think.

5 feet handle is quite long, isn't it?


I think with a handle that long it will be less backbreaking. I've heard it said somewhere or read it that the reason this tool is rarer here is because the climate, and so the soil, is generally moist. They are very popular in drier countries like Spain and and on the African continent.

Now I'm looking for a path edger. I've already got one but I fear I may break it with enough force  :oops:
Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: noshed on November 19, 2007, 21:46
I've got a medium one and it is great. You can plough up the first 9" or so of plot very quickly.
As an experiment I dug a couple of beds 'by the book' a few weeks ago - dug out a trench with a spade and shoveled the next row forwards etc and I'm not convinced it was any better than just swinging the mattock around and doing it in half the time.
I think if your soil is basically OK they are a boon - and great for clearing tough weeds and scraping paths etc. Soils with a pan might need a sharper implement and they do pointy ones as well.
They are quite dear though but I have seen versions cheaper in hardware shops so look around.
They are cheaper and cleaner and quieter than rotovators but obviously not as much fun to talk about.
Title: Re: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: Calou on November 19, 2007, 22:52
Quote from: "mushroom"
I'm getting the large Azada (grub hoe) - just ordered it online from
http://www.get-digging.co.uk/

I'm looking foward to using it on the uncultivated part of my plot. has anyone here used one of these? Seems to have a good write-up.


I got one from the same company about 3 weeks ago, I have to say, I'm delighted with it! It's strong, well made and I don't know how I ever managed without it!  :D
Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: Lynne on November 20, 2007, 15:30
I have one too, also from the same company. It's great and used correctly takes the backache out of jobs. We have a mattock too, but I find it too heavy so my husband uses it whilst I use the azada.
Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: mushroom on November 20, 2007, 15:39
I can't wait to get mine :D - I got the biggest one they had. if it works as well as they say, I'll be getting their long-handled shovel and spade.
Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: brucesgirl on November 20, 2007, 15:49
Never heard of these - does it do away with digging? And do you use it by swinging it above your head like a pick-axe? How heavy is it?
Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: mushroom on November 20, 2007, 16:27
Quote from: "brucesgirl"
Never heard of these - does it do away with digging?

sort of - I mean digging with a spade.

Quote from: "brucesgirl"
And do you use it by swinging it above your head like a pick-axe?

no, that's the point. You don't need to do that. have a look at http://www.get-digging.co.uk/using.htm

Quote from: "brucesgirl"
How heavy is it?

Blade Width 7.3".
Blade Weight 3.3lbs.
Handle 47"
Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: gobs on November 20, 2007, 16:42
It a big strong sharp hoe, Bruce. But very good for other jobs as well. :)
Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: mushroom on November 20, 2007, 17:13
hopefully it'll arrive tomorrow  8)
Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: noshed on November 20, 2007, 17:32
Usually the postman/woman gets to play the grim reaper with it. They have a minimal packing policy.
Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: brucesgirl on November 20, 2007, 18:33
Mushroom, as soon as you've used it can you let us know how you get on please? I don't actually dig with a spade, but as the weather is so bad now I have bad feelings about how much clearing I will have to do (again) come the spring.

Excited at the thought of a new tool .....
Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: gobs on November 20, 2007, 18:33
:lol:  :lol:
Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: Trillium on November 20, 2007, 21:46
This past summer I was using the broad side of my pick axe and it really went through the dirt like a knife through hot butter. A tool company I often deal with has just listed mattocks for sale so I might just get that rather than an azada which I'm having trouble finding over here. Now, how to get it onto my 'for Christmas I want....' list.  :lol:
Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: mushroom on November 21, 2007, 00:35
Quote from: "Trillium"
This past summer I was using the broad side of my pick axe and it really went through the dirt like a knife through hot butter. A tool company I often deal with has just listed mattocks for sale so I might just get that rather than an azada which I'm having trouble finding over here. Now, how to get it onto my 'for Christmas I want....' list.  :lol:


Left Pondians can get them from here: http://www.easydigging.com/
Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: mushroom on November 22, 2007, 12:22
:evil:  :evil:  :evil:  it still hasn't arrived  :!: grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr :x  :x
Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: SkipRat on November 22, 2007, 22:35
It will be well worth the wait Mushroom, I bought two in March, the large and the medium one for my uncultivated allotment. Once you get the hang of using one are quicker then a spade. I always carry a round sharpening stone while i,m using one and every so often give the edge a quick tickle with the stone. My soil is very heavy. Also brill for taking bramble roots out etc.  :)
Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: mushroom on November 23, 2007, 11:54
hmmm. 4th day, still not here. They did say 3-4 days :x  :x  :shock:  :o hopefully it will arrive tomorrow or monday.
Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: mushroom on November 27, 2007, 10:05
8th day - still not here. Money went from cc acct the day it was ordered. They can't claim from *arcel*orce until it's still missing after 2 weeks.  :x  :x  :x  :x  :x  :x  :x  :x  :x  :x  :x  :x  :x  :x  :x  :x  :x  :x
Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: gobs on November 27, 2007, 10:15
What a pain :!: I hope it turns up. Have you tried parcelf themselves?
Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: mushroom on November 27, 2007, 10:19
I don't know if the recipient can.... can they? have they got a tracking arrangement like fedex?

Actually, it wasn't sent *arcel*orce, it went via regular mail.
Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: mushroom on November 27, 2007, 10:28
Quote from: "Lynne"
I have one too, also from the same company. It's great and used correctly takes the backache out of jobs. We have a mattock too, but I find it too heavy so my husband uses it whilst I use the azada.

Do you recall how long it took to arrive? Maybe it's just me being impatient still.
Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: gobs on November 27, 2007, 10:29
Well if it's rmail, then no point trying, one of those can't get through to a person things. :roll:
Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: noshed on November 27, 2007, 10:55
I think mine was delivered quite quickly. It's not the sort of thing you could lose easily.
Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: mushroom on November 27, 2007, 10:59
Quote from: "noshed"
I think mine was delivered quite quickly. It's not the sort of thing you could lose easily.

How many days did it take from when you ordered it? (how quick is "quite"?)
Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: mushroom on November 28, 2007, 09:20
YAY THE AZADA IS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!

hmm 47" handle. I'd like a 60" one. right, now for a test drive :)
Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: mushroom on November 28, 2007, 16:52
well, it takes a bit of getting used to, but it is real easy to use. Here's a photo of a bit that i cleared in under an hour. It's about 12ft x 6 ft, which isn't a lot, but consider this was matted couch, I think it did pretty well for a first effort.

As long as you let the tool do the work, you feel no strain whatsoever. I peeled off the top 3 inches or so with very little effort. it goes through tufts of grass very easily. i find it best to slice an area you want to dig with the spade, then use the azezda in that area. well worth the 29 quid or so inc. p&p.

My only criticism is that the website leads one to beleive that it is delivered within a couple of days. It actually took 10 days if you count the weekend, it comes by regular 2nd class post.

(http://allotment.reiteration.net/photos/azada_dig.jpg)
Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: noshed on November 29, 2007, 10:49
Glad you like it. Mine suits my desire for easy ways out but I honestly think its as good as a spade. And obviously much better than a rotovator.
Title: Azada (grub hoe)
Post by: gobs on November 29, 2007, 11:54
Yes, good it turned up finally and you are not disappointed with it. :)