[sheridan]

I'm such a newbie.....

I have 3 different spades, two forks and few handtools, but it's obvious to me that I (we) will need a hoe. After looking online, and asking the lovely people up my allotment, all of whom had different opinions, I'm still unsure! I never knew there was more than one type......

As it is my husbands birthday soon, I should like to get him a hoe (!) but don't know what to go for. Any favourites?

[Steveharford]

Hi
There has been a lot of chat on here about the swoe which I'm sure must be pretty good, but if you get him a wolf handle and one of the hoe attachments- the draw hoe being my favourite, he is sure to be happy.  He can then add further attachments as he goes on. Just my pennorth. Hope it helps. Good luck.

[sheridan]

Oh lord, this is a whole new world of gadgets for him. I thought camping gear was bad, but allotment gear.......

Off to google swoe. (!?)

[maxibo]

Have a look on get-digging.co.uk at their range of azada's.  They are fab!

[rowan57]

I cant find anyone in the UK that sells the Hoe I want and will probably need to order it from the States.

Its the colinear hoe, http://www.johnnyseeds.com/c-845-collinear-hoes.aspx.

[superpete]

I had a swoe, picked up from a car boot for two pounds - I have dutch hoes and oscillating hoes (best for gravel drives) but I did like the swoe I had - till the blade came off - I've had a feel of the swoe they've got in my local nursery and I'd need to bend double for it's blade to be flat to the ground, ie. it's useless for me - so as with all long handled hand tools I'd suggest not to buy on line but to go somewhere you can try before you buy to see if it feels right for you

[superpete]

Rowan - you can get a collinear hoe from the Blackberry Lane website in the UK

[Potty Plotty Lotty]

Rowan - you can get a collinear hoe from the Blackberry Lane website in the UK

Yes-I got one from Blackberry Lane. Very good, easy to sharpen and very effective.  Mine didn't come with the handle.

[shoozie]

You'll have read this post no doubt
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=105109.0

The swoe I bought last year was recommended by DD - and there's a photo of the Joseph Bentley swoe in the thread.  It is by far the best hoe I have ever owned.  If I was buying again, I'd go for the very same again, but it looks fit to last a very long time!

[willp]

Hoes can be quite a personal taste, with many opinions on which is best. Personally I use a very old one I picked up years ago at a sale. It`s a draw hoe, which I prefer.

The main thing to look for IMHO is good quality steel that will take and hold a keen edge. A blunt hoe is a poor hoe, no matter what shape it is.

Will

[rowan57]

Rowan - you can get a collinear hoe from the Blackberry Lane website in the UK

Ooh tah. Have you used one of theirs?

[MoreWhisky]

A nice sharp swoe for me.

[fatcat1955]

I would go for the Wolf Garten range. 1 handle and just swap the head's over.

[DD.]

Swoe, as you know.

Hey, haven't we been here before recently?

[arugula]

Swoe, as you know.

Hey, haven't we been here before recently?

Yes, here:

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=105109.msg1177725#msg1177725