Repairing garden hand tools - Mattock

This post illustrates how to fix the wooden shaft onto the head of the various garden tools that are sold in Spain, in this case a mattock. The metal wedge which secures the shaft is called a cuña heirro forjado.

If you have to buy a new shaft for your garden hand tools, a good garden tip passed onto me by a blacksmith or farrier; is to rub up and down the handle with a hammer head or metal shaft, thereby flattening the grain and polishing the handle. A light coat of linseed oil will help keep the handle weather proof and comfortable in the hand.

For a fistful of dollars!

Now that the nights are drawing in and the garden heads towards a period of winter dormancy, at least in the northern hemisphere, there are opportunities to be had in the purchasing of both plants and tools from the seasonal stock in the garden centres and supermarkets. One of my bargains of the year, so far but I’m still looking, was this selection of garden tools reduced by a large supermarket chain who were clearing there shelves to make way for Christmas stock. 

All of the tools have (Ash tree) wooden handles and stainless steel blades. They cost only pennies each to buy so even if they only last a couple of years we will be more than happy.