Sneeboer Thornett Trowel

If you are familiar with Sneeboer garden tools then this new long handled trowel will look very different from what you are used to. Why? - because it doesn't have a wooden handle. This is one of the first fully metal tools from Sneeboer - meaning that the handle is made from stainless steel as well as the trowel head. This project was a collaboration with Sid Hill, an English gardener who uses a similar looking long handled trowel that was made by his grandparents. The tool has an overall length of 55cm and the trowel head is heavily scooped (16cm long by 9cm wide.) It weighs 670grams So where does this tool fit in? Being an all metal construction means it's intrinsically strong. The temptation with tools of this length is to use them as a lever when digging with them. This can lead to issues with a wooden handle but that's less likely with a tubular metal handle. Wooden handles do also need the occasional clean and treating with oil. There's zero maintenance needed with stainless steel. So that's a plus for this tool, if you don't like spending time looking after a tool. The balance is good, which is often the case when the weight of the handle is similar to the head, but it is over 20% heavier that the Great Dixter Planting spade which I would class as a similar tool (in our garden anyway.) The trowel head shape is rounded and more scoop like. This is great if you have lighter soil with a lot of organic matter. We have heavier clay soil and we always prefer a trowel with a pointed tip. You might of gathered that we're not sure that this tool will replace the Great Dixter Planting spade in our garden. We've heard good reports from customers about the Thornett Trowel so we might be converted... we'll keep using it and update this product listing as we have more time with it. Hand forged by Sneeboer in the Netherlands, who have been making and developing garden tools since 1913. Now in the hands of 5th generation family members, Sneeboer use stainless steel to craft the ultimate tools for gardeners. Their tools are the anthesis of the cheap throw away culture. Built to last a lifetime and to be maintain in order to continue to perform like new. As this item is hand forged please expect to see some hammer marks and black coke marks on the surface. These add to the unique character of each tool and do not affect the durability or quality of the tool in anyway. Why invest in Sneeboer garden tools? Quite simply, they are high quality hand forged gardening tools that'll last a lifetime. Read our blog to find out more...