Azadas and Mattocks

[number 1 suspect]

evening all.

has anybody ever used these items before. My mother in law uses an Azada in Sicily and as shes getting on a bit and has no problem with it i was wondering if it was worth investing in one or two.

Number 1 suspect

[nick the grief]

I've had the same thought No1Sus

[Alice]

No idea what they are No1. Can you share that with us?

[number 1 suspect]

Hi
quick replies tonight people :-)
Nick. I will be getting hold of one pretty soon so will keep you posted.

Alice. Try this link it should answer the question better than i can.
http://www.get-digging.co.uk/

looking at the testimonials makes me feel it could be a good investment

No 1

[snohare]

I use mattocks all the time for conservation work, usually a grubbing (aka English) mattock, and it certainly is a versatile tool. Great for removing roots and stones, so better suited for breaking ground than a spade maybe, but has a shorter handle than an azada so not so easy on the back. If you do buy a mattock, always get one with as broad an adze (blade) as possible, and if you aren't going to be removing roots, get a pick mattock with as long a pick as possible.
The main advantage to using a spade I'd say is that you can use more leg power rather than arm power (after your first long day digging over with an azada you'll really know about it ! ) and a spade is tidier for turning over discrete lumps of soil; you get more control over what happens to the soil.
But if you remember to let gravity do the work ( raise high, relax your arm on the downswing) you will indeed see why Africa runs on these things...and I notice Thailand has them too.
A word of warning. If you grasp the handle tightly and really whack the tool down you can shift really big lumps...but if you hit a big stone without a relaxed grip your tendons will take all the impact and you can get a really serious arm injury. Like chopping wood, it's all about posture, gravity, and tweaks of the wrist.

[Squirrel]

Being from Africa I have used a mattock in the garden most of my life. Was most disappointed not to be able to find them easily over here, and then when I did the blade was small in comparison to what I am used to! Nearly brought one back in my luggage after going after there on holiday!

Very versatile tool, as I used to use it to hoe with, dig planting holes, ridge up plants and any digging chores. Given that my soil used to be akin to concrete in the summer, the mattock was able to cope with it very well indeed! Must look into getting a proper one again!

[dinah gale]

I can confirm what snohare says about injuring your arm using a mattock. I have just taken on an allotment that was pretty weedy and in an effort not to be a bad neighbour worked away on dock and long grass for hours with a mattock. The ground was rock-hard owing to the dry weather and very stony, to boot. It has taken over three weeks so far for my hand and arm to recover - the right hand is still painful, in fact, and I have to be careful how I use it or it swells again, so be warned.

That said, the mattock (rightly used) is a useful tool. Mine is venerable and has been used for years.

It's quite a relief to know that using the mattock WAS the cause of the problem. I was beginning to wonder if I'd suffered sudden onset arthritis or something. Phew! I'm not too old to start an allotment after all.

Needless to say, this has halted my enthusiastic start but fellow allotmenteers have been brilliant and I have taken time to read all sorts of helpful advice on this site which is a great resource.

I look forward to spending more time here.

[nick the grief]

More power to your errr elbow I guess

Welcome to the vine Dinah. It is very easy to injure your self with the rush of enthusiasm if your not careful. I suffered with a trapped nerve n my back just before I got my allotment then agrivated it by trying to do too much.

I have always found allotmenteers to be friendly in the main, your bound to come acroos the odd grouch but thats life I guess.

I'm seriously thinkink about one of these ere mattocks though, I mean they are about a tenth of the price of a rotavator

[number 1 suspect]

Have just had my azada's delivered this morning by sister in-law. cost for 1 large (9inch) and a much smaller on (4inch) was only £15 so i reckon i got a bargain. Will let you know how i get on with them. Will be doing trial this week :-)

[mightywight]

An Azada is also known as a Chillington Hoe. They are great for generally working soil and dig a mean trench! They are amazingly effective in terms of the muscle action required compared to a standard UK spade - far less tiring to use. I also have a thing I have heard described as an Irish potato fork, along similar lines - long ash handle, big tines at right-angles to the handle. This is phenomenal when it comes to clearing ground of perennial weeds.

[number 1 suspect]

azada update

Well after digging a stretch of ground 12x12 (feet that is ) in next to no time I can honestly say that the next digging time will be a pleasure. Used both sizes and was surprised to find that the smaller one was more efficent, faster and easier. Had a few odd looks from other allotmenteers and the odd comment about these "modern ideas" that will never catch on but after a few came over and inspected the results there were some mutterings about "he must have prepaired the soil first" but others wanted to know where i got them from. Put them onto this web site as well.

Interesting times ahead

Martin

[headburro]

Hi all - I'm late to this thread but here's my 2p.

I found my mattock is great for stripping turf, cutting through roots and generally being the beast in my garden. I still find a spade better for digging out and shifting.

When I was preparing the ground last year, the time and energy saved in using the mattock was extraordinary and I'd really recommend one. You can see mine in my blog gallery here.

One thing to watch (extra to the good H&S advice given above) is that when you raise it above your head, gravity tends to fill your hair with soil, grit and bugs - you have been warned

[number 1 suspect]

hi headburro. thanks for the warning. Will have to wear a hat :-)

[nick the grief]

hi headburro. thanks for the warning. Will have to wear a hat :-)

or have a hair cut like mine