12" Stainless Steel Trowel

This is an exceptional tool. Before buying this, I went through trowels like crazy. I've had ones break after a few months, but usually the last at most a couple years. I finally looked up this trowel online, and after seeing the stellar reviews, bought it, mainly because I wanted something that was going to last me for years. I was pleased though that this trowel isn't just durable, it works much more effectively than a typical trowel. Like, the difference was remarkable. Using this trowel, I was able to uproot large, tough plants with thick, deep roots (like greater burdock, pokeweed) that I normally would require a large shovel to remove. But, compared to gardening with the shovel, I found that this smaller trowel resulted in less soil disturbance. This is great, as it'll help me to garden and do ecological restoration work with less disruption of the soil. The sharp edges are also very effective at cutting roots, which can be very helpful for removing plants with large branched roots. I've been using this tool for over three years, and I pretty much only use it and larger shovels. My only complaint so far is that the leather loop broke within the first year, and there's no way I can find to fix or replace it. Besides this, the tool itself shows almost no wear...I haven't even had to sharpen the blades, and I've been digging with it in gravel, cutting roots with it, for over three years now. There are some little details too in how this trowel is different from other trowels that make it useful. It's slightly longer, which allows you to get a bit more leverage. This means I'm able to do more without having to carry a blukier shovel with me. The v-shape (rather than a U-shape) to the blade also makes it good for planting acorns, nuts, and large seeds, something I do fairly frequently...you can place the nut in the middle and roll it down into the hole you just dug, and because it's a neat V, you have more control. The combination of the long blade and V-shape is also great for laying down soil, for the same reason...you can hold this trowel and shake the soil over an area and you have much more control than you do with a shorter, U-shaped trowel. Plus, there's a ruler on it! This is immensely useful, not only for measuring soil depth, but I tend to like to have a ruler with me when I'm working with plants, for ID purposes, and it's just a bonus to have a ruler with me on the trowel that I'm going to be carrying with me anyway. If I could suggest any redesign option it would be to redesign it so that it is possible to reattach the leather strings if they break. I would love to see a metal loop built into the tool itself, or at least, the plastic handle designed with a loop so that it were easier to reattach strings. This is my only complaint or suggestion for improving this amazing tool.

I originally bought one of these shovels around 12 years ago at a botanical garden shop I visited in another State than the one I lived in. The 14” is my favorite. It is very strong and sturdy, and since the edges are somewhat sharp, it makes a good weeding tool as well as a digging tool. My first one lasted around 5 years before the edges became worn, but the shovel was still very useable. The grip never peeled or pulled away. I personally did not like the leather hanging piece because it got in the way, so I cut it off. If you like to hang your tools it will last forever too. I recently had to buy a new one because my husband lost one. Glad I can get it on Amazon with free shipping since I am a prime member. This is the only trowel/ hand shovel we use. Once you use one, you will never want anything different.

This is a really nice trowel with good attention to detail. The forward edge is filed at about 45 degrees for good cutting, but the tip of the point is left thick to avoid rolling. When you look at many well used trowels you see the forward edge blunted or rolled from hitting rocks. This point will hold up better and still dig well. Steel all the way through the handle so no bending or snapping like the plastic handle half tang models. For what it's worth, the etching of depth measurements, and made in USA is also very nicely done. I would advise that if you just get one the 14" is the best size. That length includes blade and handle, and this size can still do all your flower planting tasks, as well as drag for rows in the garden, and do heavier digging for shrubs and weeding. Other ones will be a bit small and fiddly for heavier tasks. I think this piece is well worth the extra few dollars for the quality if you garden with any frequency. My father is a landscaper and horticulturist and has used one for decades. and put several lifetimes of normal use on one. It is shorter from refiling, but still usable after that time.

This is a really well constructed trowel. I have hard pack clay soil in my yard which I have been augmenting and improving. I have gone through several trowels of varying quality and price. I finally came across the Wilcox trowel and all the reviews here, gave me the confidence to buy one. I'm glad I did. It's really sturdy and I can dig right down into the hard pack because of the shape of the blade and dig out the soil easily by using a lot of force and levering the dirt out. This trowel takes the abuse and keeps going. No rust because it's stainless steel. The handle could be a little more ergonomic but is trivial because if what you need is a really sturdy and strong trowel that gets the job done, this is it. I suspect I'll have many years of use from this but if I ever do need to buy another trowel, it'll be a Wilcox.

A great little hand tool. goor for planting bulbs and getting into tight spaces.

This is my new favorite tool for the garden. It works great for all kinds of digging. Comfortable to hold and use. Light weight but solid, will not break as there are no plastic parts. Don't waste your money on cheap spades. Get this you will not regret it.

This trowel is sturdy and strong, but when you are using it in heavy soil, eventually the red cover will slip down the handle as you push on the end. So it becomes painful to use unless you have very heavy gloves to protect your palm from the exposed metal end. Other than that, it's an excellent tool!

Brilliant item for the garden, for planting and weeding. Brilliant all round tool and very heavy duty.

The handle is too short. I would not recommend for metal detecting

Very sharp, so be careful. Beautiful tool regardless!!

This product caught my attention because was featured in several articles about ultra durable garden trowels. The price seemed a bit high for a little trowel but I could not find anything else that would meet my needs. Specifically, I was looking for a full tang shovel or trowel that could fit in my backpack, that could be used for gardening, and also for any other digging. Most importantly, I was looking for a tool that I could expect to last for at least a few years of hard use. It arrived today, and although I haven't had a chance to use it, I'm impressed. I've only owned a few trowels in my life but this one certainly seems like it is in a class of its own. I fully expect it to live up to my expectations.

We all know they say, never use a trowel for prying. Ridiculous, a trowel should be able to pry within reason, and this suites my needs. NOTE TO THE COMPANY: Sharp blade edge! These should have a cardboard guard for shipping. It was shipped in a light bubble mailer with 1 layer of bubble wrap, no protection to the shippers or customer.