Wish list

[torquill]

I want a trowel with a grip that doesn't become slick when it gets muddy, so that I'm not having to rinse off both it and my hand every few minutes to keep it from trying to twist out of my hand like a live thing.

I want a trowel where I can push down on it like sinking a shovel, without straining my hand because I'm gripping it at right angles to the force I'm applying.

I want a shovel with a narrow, 18" long blade, so that I can dig trenches without "losing" the top portion of the shovel below ground level, where my foot can't push down to sink it further. It's really hard to dig an 8" trench deeper than 1' with a trenching shovel.

Oh, and I want a pony.

Comments

[johno.livejournal.com]

I've seen various trowels in catalogs that claim to be ergonomic and easier for those with grip issues.

Would a 18" deep trench only 4" wide even stay open?

[luna-torquill.livejournal.com]

I have one of those. Invariably, the "ergonomic" trowels are contoured to fit your hand when holding it with the blade roughly parallel to the ground. I haven't yet seen one designed for lengthwise pressure on the blade, which is what would really help my grip. The other action I make while digging is a twisting motion, which is helped by contours, but really needs friction to work.

Bottom line: my soil is not what the people who design these things have in mind... it is not tame potting mix.

Would a 18" deep trench only 4" wide even stay open?

Spoken like a man who has never dealt with California clay. :) I've had one open for most of a year now out front; a little bit has washed/fallen back in, but no more than a couple inches' worth. Think modeling clay and you're getting close.