Perhaps the most significant part of a gardening tool is the blade, as it does practically the bulk of the work. The blade material is a critical component of any gardening hoe. Hoes are mostly made of stainless steel or carbon steel material. Ideally, a stainless steel hoe tends to exhibit minimum adherence to the soil. In addition, this material is very easy to clean. Simple wiping clean when done using can help remove dirt off the blade. In addition, stainless steel does not rust. Most people prefer hoes made of stainless steel material because they are tough and take only a few minutes to clean. In addition, the fact that they are rust resistant makes them the ideal hoes for the average homeowner.

In contrast, carbon steel material tends to be tougher and difficult to bend. It does not warp easily. For those who want to go for a tougher material that will withstand long hours of cultivation, they should consider carbon steel material for the blade. It is guaranteed to last for a lifetime while performing everyday heavy-duty tasks.

Heavy soil, grown weeds, and new gardens require a heavy wide-blade garden hoe. The blade material greatly determines the weight of the tool, and the heavier the tool the better the performance on heavy duty tasks.

Just like the blade material, shaft material also determines the performance of a garden hoe. Wooden handles are somewhat the most popular because of their toughness and ability to absorb impact. In particular, hardwood handles have added strength and are generally more durable.

However, while hardwood material tends to be durable, it can rot if not taken care of properly. Hardwood generally needs to be stored properly to avoid moisture and possible rotting. However, hardwood can often be coated with a protective layer such as boiled linseed oil. This helps to protect the wood from numerous harsh elements.

On the hand, steel handles are generally heavier and add more mass to the gardening hoe. They are durable and will serve you for a long period before being damaged. Aluminum and fiberglass materials are lighter and reduce the overall weight of the tool. A gardening hoe made of any of these materials will allow the gardener to keep using the tool for longer without feelings of weariness.

The length of the handle also has a critical role to play as far as gardening is concerned. Long, sturdy handles are comfortable to work with, as less bending and straining is involved. People with back problems are often advised to consider long-handled hoes when shopping for their gardening tool. In contrast, short handles are more difficult to work with because they involve more bending and straining. In fact, avoid short handles at all cost if you are suffering from any lower back problem. You do not want to keep bending and working in the garden all day long with a sore back.

Unless you are toiling using a hand hoe, your hoe’s handle should be about 60 inches in length. In fact, the taller you are the longer the handle should be. This is perhaps why each individual should have his or her own garden hoe to ensure that the handle is a perfect fit. A tool with the right handle length helps to balance the head and handle the weight, thereby preventing you from stooping too much while working.

However, handles can still be bought separately for use with existing rakes. It is generally more cost effective to buy blades and shafts separately, as you can choose what material you need for the shaft and for the blade. If your hoe’s handle is broken you can also order the handle separately.

Maintenance weeding can be quite taxing. Without the right hoe, it can be difficult to accomplish a task in less time. Wide-bladed hoes work well in open spaces. They also cover a large area in a relatively short period of time. However, they cannot work in limited spaces. Smaller spaces require narrow-bladed hoes to fit into those spaces. Regardless, three-sided hoes are ideal for working in these small spaces, as the narrow sides can be used to access and toil these small spaces. Instead of purchasing a hoe with a wide head and another with a narrow head for working in small spaces, you may opt for three-way sharpened blade hoes to allow you to tilt and use the narrow ends to work in between plants and remove weeds.

Digging and weeding is a very monotonous gardening job. If you are working with an uncomfortable tool, the work can get too difficult to handle and might take longer than expected. You could also get easily discouraged with your gardening hobby. In fact, uncomfortable tools can cause your hands to develop blisters and it is nearly impossible to continue working with injuries on the palm of your hands. In this regard, a comfortable grip can help you hold the hoe and dig for several hours without your hands developing sores.

For the gardener who is so much concerned about the comfort that a garden tool provides, it might be useful to go for hoes with cushion end grips. Such tools allow you to use them for a prolonged period of time without feeling fatigued. On the other hand, long-handled hoes can be used while maintaining an upright posture, thereby eliminating strain from the back. Long handles are more comfortable because they allow tall people to work while standing.

Working with heavy garden tools can cause the body to start aching, especially the arms and back. Wood tends to be heavier than fiberglass and aluminum. If you cannot handle the extra weight that comes with hardwood handles then it is better to go for lightweight fiberglass or aluminum. Similarly, if you prefer lightweight tools, it is better to buy and use them than purchasing heavy tools that will only gather dust in your basement, garage or storeroom.

If you are working with a hand tool, it is important to have a lightweight tool that you can hold with one hand and leave your other hand free to grab the weeds and slice them from the roots. Most lightweight tools are designed to perform and complete light tasks very quickly without breaking a sweat. These are perhaps best for working on a small project that involves weeding a large garden with scattered weeds. You can easily slice through the weed plants and complete the job in a short time. However, such a light tool would not be suited for a garden that is densely populated with tough, fibrous and deeply rooted weeds. Such a garden would require a heavy-duty hoe to slice weeds from the roots and prevent new growths.

Gardening tools need regular maintenance too. Using a hoe on a regular basis cause some of its parts to be worn out. Keeping these tools where they are exposed to moisture makes them more susceptible to rust. In this regard, you may need to replace hoe handles or heads, as over time the handles may become broken and the heads rusted. Fortunately, many companies that specialize in the design and manufacture of small agricultural tools also tend to sell replacement parts.

You may have to spend some extra money on replacement parts if you fail to take good care of your gardening tool. It is often advisable to begin caring for your hoe as soon as you purchase and start using it. For a brand new hoe, always remember to rinse off the soil after use and store it in a cool dry place away from moisture. Some models of hoes feature self-sharpening blades. These blades will remain in great shape for a long period of time.

On the other hand, if your blade does not possess the self-sharpening ability, a quick swipe using a regular knife sharpener can help to maintain it in great shape. For the handles, you may have to sand and oil the wood to maintain the smoothness. However, broken wood handles can be replaced by purchasing another handle from an online store. Always repair or replace any cracked or broken handles to avoid causing unnecessary injury to yourself. In addition, you may have to consider that wooden handles are easy to maintain and can be repaired or replaced easily when cracked or broken.