Steel, Ash and Care

Steel

Our hand tool and long-handled heads are drop forged from carbon steel: a heated bar is hammered into a die so the blade, neck and tang or socket are one continuous piece. There is no weld to crack and the grain of the steel follows the shape of the tool. Forged heads are heavier than stamped ones; that weight is doing work for you.

Carbon steel is not stainless. Left wet it will spot, left dirty it will pit. Knock off soil, wipe with a rag, and rub on a little tool wax or any light oil. A dark patina over the first season is normal and protects the surface.

Pruning blades are hardened to a higher degree so they hold an edge. Sharpen along the existing bevel with a flat file or a fine stone; never grind the flat back of a bypass blade.

Ash

Handles and shafts are American white ash, chosen for straight grain and the way it absorbs shock. Ash is the wood of axe handles and baseball bats for the same reasons.

Raw ash greys in sun and rain. A coat of tool wax twice a year keeps it pale and smooth. If a shaft ever does splinter, sand it and rewax; the wood underneath is fine. Store tools hanging or standing on the head, never leaning on the shaft.

Leather and canvas

Vegetable-tanned leather darkens with hands and weather. Wipe it with a damp cloth and feed it once a year with a plain leather conditioner. Waxed canvas should not go in a washing machine; brush it, spot clean with cold water, and rewax the creases when water stops beading.

Sizing

Border spade: 28 inch shaft, 39 inches overall. Digging fork: 32 inch shaft, 44 inches overall. Both suit people from about 5 foot 4 to 6 foot 2; taller than that, the Dutch Hoe and Garden Rake on 60 inch shafts will feel right and the spade will feel short.

Gloves are sized by palm circumference measured just below the knuckles: S 7 inches, M 8 inches, L 9 inches, XL 10 inches.

The apron fits chest sizes 34 to 48 with the straps let out.