The Hoe Dag, shown in this photo by Lee Valley, has really been my MVP tool this past gardening season.
To be frank, it does not feel very heavy duty, but I put it through its paces, digging up rocks, roots, and heavy clay soil.
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The Hoe Dag is said to be superb for digging, planting, tilling, weeding, and even chopping through roots. It’s described as rugged, and it has proven this to be true.
The multi-purposed gardening tool features an 8-1/2″ arc-shaped blade with a 2-1/2″ edge on one end and a 7/8″ edge on the other. It has a 15″ seasoned hardwood handle.
Lee Valley says that the Hoe Dag has been hand-crafted in the USA for over 50 years.
Although I’ve been hard on my Hoe Dag, I don’t forget that it’s handle is made of wood and that it’s attached to the steel head via a socket joint. It can handle a bit of abuse, but I reach for a different tool for heavier prying.
I absolutely definitely recommend the Hoe Dag. Sure, it’s basically a double-sided short-handle hoe, and there are other tools that are almost kind of like it, but they’re not quite the same.
The Hoe Dag is well-made, it’s extremely versatile, it’s comfortable and light to swing, and it’s made in the USA.
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Price: $32.50
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Jared
Is it sharpened on either end?
Lee Valley is awesome. I want it more knowing it came from there. 😁
Stuart
Single-bevel sharpened. It’s sharp enough to chop through compacted clay soil, not sharp enough to shave an arm.
fred
Looks like a modernized update of the old Army hand mattock.
My only caution in looking at it is that it looks like it might bend if used in a prying mode. Compared to the 80 or so year old short handled “Army” pick mattock that we have – it does look to be lighter and easier to use as a garden implement.
Stuart
I pry with it, but wouldn’t recommended this type of usage.
It doesn’t really flex, but if I feel too much resistance I reach for something else or lighten the pressure, such as by digging a deeper moat around a large rock I’m trying to remove.
MM
Looks like a useful tool. If you haven’t tried one yet, give a Japanese “Ika hoe” a whirl. It’s a similar tool though I think you’ll like it even better.
Stuart
I might consider that as well – thank you!
I ordered a Nejiri Gama Hoe at around the same time (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003BK2IMO/?tag=toolguyd-20), but it was a little too fragile and the tip bent during shipping. The Hoe Dag is much more usable in my opinion.
The Ika Hoe looks interesting, but I’ve really benefited from the wide and narrow blades of the Hoe Dag.
MM
I’ve not tried that style of Japanese hoe before but I use the Ika hoe a lot. I like the fact that the end with tines is great for raking out material while leaving the soil behind, like getting stones or roots out of a bed, and also for breaking up hard clumps. And while I’m sure there must be exceptions, all that I have seen that were from Japan were of very high quality. I paid $23 for mine from Hudson Valley Seed Co:
https://hudsonvalleyseed.com/products/ika-hoe?variant=30089287893037
It is a very high quality steel forging, and the handle fits with a square socket and wedge. Extremely secure and easy to change handles if you needed to. The only thing I did was sand off the lacquer from the handle and apply a few coats of linseed oil. I have since bought several more and given them as gifts, everybody loves them from big dudes to little old ladies.
The funny thing about them is that when you get one you will notice the wedge in the handle socket is sticking halfway out. This is deliberate. The idea is that if the handle works loose with time you can just tap the wedge in deeper.
On an unrelated note, have you ever reviewed any of the Rogue Hoe line of tools? They make tools which are similar in design to the Hoe Dag, but full-size stand-up tools. They are purportedly made from special steel alloy discs normally used for commercial ag disc harrows. they make garden and field hoes, rakes, pulaskis, etc.
fred
I’m partial to an ancient Wilkinson Sword Swoe.
CoBlue
I’ve used the Nejiri Gama Hoe a fair bit, It’s reasonably effective for precision close-in weeding near plants. The way it flexes certainly doesn’t feel durable, although I’ve never broken one.
Far better is the ARS nejiri kama. It has a strong and durable but very sharp blade that holds an edge in soil better than pretty much anything else I’ve seen. It’s used to cut off roots right under the surface. I prefer to use a full length hoe where possible, but it’s my first choice when I’m weeding up close on my knees.
https://www.amazon.com/KNK-MT211-ARS-Weeding-Sickle-Nejiri/dp/B002CSZ3NM/
Dan
I second your recommendation Stuart. I’ve used my Hoe Dag for about 10 years around the house. I still love it! I’m not too careful with it when using it, but am surprised how well the handle to steel connection is maintaining. Light enough to swing easily, and heavy enough of steel to be durable. I do like the two sized blades. I often use it for the last part of irrigation digging after I use the shovel.
Matt
I was just starting to put together my Lee Valley Christmas shopping list, and this sounds like a great gift idea for my wife, the gardener in the family. I build the fencing, she tills the soil.
PW Yeung
This garden tool is awesome and I am ever so happy I bought it despite a pretty steep price for me! Most useful and used garden tool for me! Highly recommended!
mla
You might check out this brand for garden tools too:
https://www.redpigtools.com/Red-Pig-Originals_c_13.html?viewall=1
They make some nice stuff and very rugged.
Eric D
I love my Rogue Hoe – they make most (maybe all?) of their tools out of recycled cultivator discs. They are very popular with trail builders and firefighters.
nigeldh
1. If you want it sharp, just sharpen the blades with a file, or, my preferred method – a cordless angle grinder with a flap wheel.
2. A.M. Leonard also sells similar tools.
https://www.amleo.com/hoedag-planter-mattock/p/TN1
Or from Groundbreaker – either a set of 3 or individually.
https://www.amleo.com/set-of-3-groundbreaker-mini-tools-mini-planter-mini-tiller-mini-pick/p/86423
I got a set of 3 like the Groundbreaker but with a plastic handle years ago – maybe from Sears.
3. If you don’t need to be on your knees – the reason for using short handle tools. Then the Rogue Hoe Prohoes are indistructable. But, being made from cultivator discs, their metal is extra hard so to sharpen them takes more effort. Especially when using a Pulaski one wants sharp cutting edges – chopping trees or cutting roots.
David R.
I really recommend checking out Rogue’s Prohoe line. I use them around my acreage but man do they make quick work with a similar design. They also make their hoes with longer handles, great for someone who’s have 6’2″ and wants the leverage.