We’re a big fan of Hooke n’ Crooke tools from Holdredge Enterprises, and now, these tools are even better!

We’ve enjoyed having a couple of models from the Hooke n’ Crooke tool line from Holdredge Enterprises. We’ve had both the Heron Weeder (6” (15 cm) blade) and the Honey Bee Weeder (4” (10 cm) blade), both with ash handles, for many seasons - and they’ve worked hard around here at the Dirt Farm!

Designed to rapidly weed maintained soil and garden areas, we’ve recently gotten the newest models of both the Heron and Honey Bee, as well as the new hand cultivator - the Hummingbird!

These tools are well-designed and are things of beauty. But, don’t let their good looks deceive you. These are hard-working implements designed to make cultivation as easy and enjoyable as it can be!

The weeders are different than usual “hulu” (stirrup) hoes, or the common “chopping” type of implement commonly seen at the hardware or feed store. Made of heavy gauge surgical steel, they are sharpened wherever the tool comes in contact with the soil. The are open on one end, with a sharpened tip and adjacent edges that make quick work of either slicing under the surface of the soil, or reaching around behind a weed and “popping” it out.

Whether you are doing largers area cultivation using the long-handled tools, or close up precision weeding with the handheld Honey Bee, they work using the same principles. The Honey Bee is angled into the handle to keep the wrist comfortable and to allow you to easily rotate the head around to where you need it.

And, they are better than ever, due to better steel than the original models (and those were great tools as well!), as well as a one-piece head and tang before being securely affixed to the handle.

The earlier models were made of 410 HC (high-carbon) surgical steel (which is a type of stainless steel) and possessed about a Rockwell 43 hardness. The new models are made from 420 HC surgical steel, with a Rockwell hardness around 51-53. Plainly said, the newer models are harder, resist abrasion and keep sharp longer than the first models. This hardness is the right level that makes the steel tough without being brittle.

If you would like to know more about Rockwell Hardness, here are a couple of links to check: https://www.sizes.com/units/hardness_...
https://agrussell.com/steel-articles/...

Handles for these well-made tools are available in ash (shaped to better fit the hands), as well as yellow straight fiberglass handles. The fiberglass handle is lighter, and is bright yellow, so easier to see and find in the landscape! If you are 5’4” (163 cm) and taller, order the standard 60” (152 cm) handle. If 5’3” (160 cm) and under, you can request a 54” handle.

The Hooke n’ Crooke models offered at the time of filming:
Heron Weeder, 6” blade, 60” handle, Wood $58, Fiberglas, $59
Honey Bee, 4” blade, 60” handle, Wood $56, Fiberglas, $57
Hummingbird, hand weeder, 6” blade, cherry handle, $62

Company contact info: Randy and JoAnne Holdredge, Holdredge Enterprises, 607-965-6423, http://holdredgeenterprises.com/

We recommend ganging orders to spread shipping cost over more tools. 3 is a good fit in the box, possible to ship 4 at a time. If you are part of a gardening group, or have friends or family members that would enjoy these fantastic tools, group buying is the way to go!

If you’re the type of person that likes to JUST DO IT YOURSELF, having great tools makes that even all the more enjoyable. We haven’t been disappointed with these tools, and we don’t think you will be either!

CHECK OUT OUR DIRTFARMER JAY SHIRTS, CUPS AND HATS AT WWW.DIRTFARMERJAY.COM/STORE!




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