Swoe and azada

[murray]

Hope this is in the right place. I'm puzzled - will a swoe do the same job as an azada? Or are they for completely different tasks? I need to get one or the other - getting over a slipped disc and want to go a bit more gently! Thanks for any advice you can give.

[HappyMouffe]

Just bought an azada (it arrived today )- will let you know how we get on!

[Snadger]

Hope this is in the right place. I'm puzzled - will a swoe do the same job as an azada? Or are they for completely different tasks? I need to get one or the other - getting over a slipped disc and want to go a bit more gently! Thanks for any advice you can give.

Two completely different things!

I have a Swoe which is a Wilkinson Sword hoe. It is basically a dutch hoe with one of the support legs missing......if that makes sense? Because it only has one leg on one side it has two sharp edges and and a sharp edged end!
It's ideal for hoeing around plants as you can get to the back and the front...in fact all round each plant without shifting your feet position.
I don't think is any easier on the back than a standard Dutch Hoe though!

The Azada is like a heavy draw hoe with the blade tilted back. It IS supposed to be easier on the back but would still take some handling if you gardened on clay soil!

[Phreddy]

I believe that the Azada is the tool that is used the world over including here in BG, where it is called a Motika. I have heard it recommended- see Real Seeds website.
In the hands of the locals, little old ladies etc, it is like the surgeon's scalple. In my hands it is like a bludgeon. It is used for digging, to prepare ground for planting and weeding. They even use it to cut the grass from between paving slabs.
I use a dutch hoe and have introduced it here but they use it as a hacking device. Don't have the idea of gently sliding it along to de-capitate the weeds.
I would plump for the swoe.

Phreddy

[oneflewover]

After reading on some website I bought an azada. It is a tool I think will take practice to use to its peak efficiency. The jury is still out here in Leeds 9.

[HappyMouffe]

I've been trying out the forked azada thing over the past few days - absolutely fantastic for getting up couch grass roots, of which we have plenty. The azada itself is good - OH is using it currently for getting up top growth - he only nearly hacked his leg off once.