Introduction
Easi-Grip tools
Peta arm support
cuff for Easi-Grip tools
Easi-Grip add-on handle
Traditional style
stainless steel handtools
Multichange handtools
Planting
Bulb planter
Seedsowers
Push button Seed Sower
Plastic ball seedsower
Mouth operated seedsower
Introduction
Small handtools, such as forks and trowels, are the most frequently used tools in the garden so it is important
to choose the best ones for your situation. In recent years, new materials and ergonomic handles have lead to
lighter tools with more comfort and improved grip. Good quality stainless steel tools that will last a lifetime
can be found for under £10.
- Contoured grips provide more control if you have a weak grip.
- Larger diameter padded handles may be easier to hold if you have arthritis.
- If you have problems with your wrist, pistol grip handles give the optimum safe
grip especially when fitted with arm supports.
- Stainless steel or polished aluminium is easy to clean and reduces soil adhesion.
- Plastic and composite tools do not have the impact on the soil that metal provides.
They vary in quality but the best ones are extremely strong and super-light. Best suited to lighter soil types.
- Beware of cheaply-made, pressed steel tools. These are likely to bend, especially
forks and longer handled trowels which do not have the strength to cope with the extra force that is often applied by
people with poor balance or co-ordination.
- Wrist straps and fingerguards may be useful if you have a weak grip to prevent you dropping the tool.
The strap can also be used to hang the tools up in your shed, or on a trolley.
Easi-Grip
tools
These stainless steel tools have a soft grip handle that is approximately 90°
from the tool head, allowing the wrist and hand to be held in a neutral
stress-free position and enabling a much firmer grip on the tool. The
cultivator is ideal for pulling backwards through the soil. Gardeners
with
weak hands or wrists will benefit considerably by using an optional
arm
support cuff, which plugs into the rear of the tool and can be used
with
other tools in the range. With the arm support in place the wrist is
virtually isolated and the strength of the forearm can be used to assist
the
hand. A handfork and trowel is also available in this range.
| Length |
240-280mm |
| Weight |
260g |
| Price |
£9.95 |
| Supplier |
Peta
(UK) Ltd |
| Trowel |
PGT-T |
| Fork |
PGT-F |
| Cultivator |
PGT-C |
|
|
Especially
good for people with arthritic hands and people who have a weak
grip.
Peta arm support cuff for Easi-Grip tools
These plug-in arm supports give extra support for people with weaker arms and also help prevent you
dropping your tools.
Especially good for people
with arthritic hands and people who have a weak grip.
Easi-Grip add-on handle
For tools with handles up to 40cm you can add your own Easi-grip handle and optional
arm support. The handle is fitted using finger operated plastic wing nuts. Supplied as a pack of two.
Especially good for people with arthritic hands, those who have a weak grip
and people who use one arm (with arm support on long tools)
Traditional style stainless steel handtools
These traditional type tools are made by a variety of manufacturers and the main point of
interest are the stainless-steel parts, which glide more easily through the soil than cheaper painted versions.
Nearly every brand is now manufactured in the Far East, and should cost no more that £10 for each item.
Multichange handtools
The Wolf Garden Ltd range of handtools
is available with two short handle options. The ZM02 for conventional
short length and the ZM04 for that extra length to reduce your bending.
Forks, trowels, rakes and hoes, are available in steel or high strength
lightweight plastic.
| Short handle |
| Length |
16cm |
| Price |
£3.00 |
| Model no |
ZM02 |
| Longer handle |
| Length |
32cm |
| Price |
£5.00 |
| Model no |
ZM04 |
|
 |
Especially good for people who have
difficulty bending and people who use wheelchairs
| Small cultiweeder |
LBM |
| Small rake |
LIM |
| Hand fork |
LU GM |
| Hand trowel |
LU-SM |
|
 |
Planting
Bulb planter
The tapered body of the planter is pushed into the ground to extract a plug of
soil of the correct depth for the bulb. Squeezing the handle with your fingers releases the soil back into
the hole after planting. Holes 60mm wide and up to 100mm deep can also be used for small plants. Better than
a trowel if you have lots of holes to make.
| Weight |
500g |
| Length |
240mm |
| Model no |
3412 |
| Price |
£20 |
| Supplier |
Gardena
UK Ltd |
|
 |
Similar models from Wolf Garden Ltd. Long handled versions are available, but all require
good balance, at least one strong arm and have a tendency to clog in damp soil.
Especially good for people with
arthritic hands and people who have a weak grip.
Seedsowers
Sowing seeds, especially small seeds, is a notoriously difficult task for anyone.
Using a seedsower may help but still requires some co-ordination.
Push button seed sower
Although it has the appearance of a syringe this seed sower has to be unscrewed and filled with seeds before use and then releases them accurately when you push down on the plunger button at the top. It is ideal for most seeds up to 2 mm and is easy and comfortable to hold.
Plastic ball seedsower
This tool uses the suction as you squeeze the rubber ball hold and then release the seeds
one at a time. Three cut off hypodermic needles act as interchangeable heads for different sizes of seed.
Very useful for dealing with rare or expensive seed that you don't want to waste.
| Model no |
Pro Seeder |
| Price range |
£12 |
| Supplier |
Tenax |
|
 |
Especially good for people with
arthritic hands.
Mouth
operated seed sower
This excellent little
gadget looks like a metal pen connected by a tube to a mouthpiece. It
uses the suction from your mouth to hold the small seeds so that you
can keep your hands free. It comes with different size probes and has
a 400 micron filter to prevent inhalation of seed and dust.
| Price
range |
£13
|
| Supplier |
Mike
Cripps |
| Model
|
Precision
Seed Sower |
|
|
Especially
good for people with arthritic hands.
|
