Hand-forged & Professional Quality GARDEN TOOLS All prices shown on this website or on our invoices are in U.S. Dollars
SHW EYE-HOES / CHOPPING HOES TThe Eye-Hoe (also called Grub, Grubbing or Chopping hoes) is the oldest hoe design in the world, due to the simplicity of the head shape; traditionally, forging the head could be done with crude tools. The ‘eye’ just had an appropriately-sized stick stuck through it for a handle; as long as one end of the stick was bigger than the eye, it wouldn’t come out. The eye-hoes produced by SHW of Germany today are a lot more refined: ergonomic designs, light weight and perfectly fitted handles wedged into place.
The differences between these Eye hoes and others you will find on the market are:
The SHAPE of the handle…most have round handles, while these German ones all have Oval handles: like an axe, sledgehammer, pickaxe or any well-designed striking tool. This is very important, because the way the human hand is shaped, holding an oval handle naturally “aims” the tool head properly, and is much more ergonomic when using the tool for long periods (resulting in less hand fatigue). Also, note that all the handles in the “chopping” series are actually LARGER toward the head for extra strength…you simply don’t see this design on the lower cost hoes; it’s more expensive to produce a handle this strong. Of course, tightening or replacing a handle is easy - just like a hammer or axe with a wooden handle; just drive a wedge into the top to spread the handle out into the eye. We stock replacement handles.
Head angles and balance. The Germans have spent a tremendously long time perfecting these tools…the foundry location where SHW currently resides in the Black Forest has been forging tools since the year 1267! The head angles and balance of these eye hoes is unparalleled, meaning more work done with less fatigue.
Steel Quality. We probably don’t need to say more here…what kind of quality would you expect from an old German company? I can tell you this: when I hit one of our Kentucky limestone rocks with an SHW hoe, it’s usually the rock that gets the chip out of it!!
“Garden” Series
We find this series very popular among women; very strong and durable but lighter than you ever thought a forged chopping hoe could be. Ergonomic ovalized kiln-dried ash handles add to the pleasure of using these tools.
54534 - SHW Double Chopper Wide blade and narrow blade make great options for working intensive beds. Head: 3” x 10.5 x .75”” Length: 54” Weight: 1.8 lbs Price: $31.00
54535 - SHW Chopper / Rowmaker The backside of this nimble hoe is pointed to make roes or break clods. Head: 2.6” x 10.5” Length: 54” Weight: 2 lbs Price: $31.00
53617 - SHW 3 Tine Chopper The stamped-steel imitations in the hardware store pale by comparison. Head: Length: 54” Weight: 1.8 lbs Price: $31.00
Hand Hoes
We find that these short-handled forged steel eye-hoes are the best balanced tools of this type on the market.
54601 - SHW Single Chopper Head: 3” x 5.75”” Length: 13” Weight: 1 lbs Price: $22.00
54597 - SHW ’Sang’ (Ginseng) Hoe Although we certainly do not encourage the unsustainable (or illegal) harvest of this rare plant in the wild, this hoe is very much the traditional size and shape of the ‘sang hoe’ in Appalachia. Of course it’s a great garden tool too! Head: 3.5” x 4” Length: 18” Weight: 1.6 lbs Price: $26.00
55394 - Double Chopper Head: 3” x 10.5”” x .75” Length: 13” Weight: 1.1 lbs Price: $23.00
”Chopping” Series
Thicker handles, reinforced at the top and heavier blades make this series suitable for heavier soils, roots, etc.
53313 - SHW Chopper Relatively Light; the narrow blade and concave cutting edge help minimize the effort of cuting into the soil. Head: 4.5” x 7.5”” Length: 54” Weight: 3.1 lbs Price: $33.00
53401 - SHW Chopper Wider, to get the job done faster, with a straight cutting edge. Head: 5.5” x 7.5” Length: 54” Weight: 3.3 lbs Price: $34.00
SHW Grape Hoe The 'Big Mama' of hoes, available with your choice of two handle lengths (head shipped dis-mounted from handle) Head: 9.5” x 7” Weight: 5 lbs
Item 53391: Length: 54” Price: $55.00
Item 54306: Length: 75” Price: $60.00
SHW ‘Root’ Hoe Stronger, thicker blade but still relatively narrow for maximum penetration. Excellent head angle, super-reinforced handle. 1 inch tree roots do not faze it. Head: 4.5” x 8.5” Weight: 4.4 lbs
Item 53566: Length: 54” Price: $46.00
Item 53566L: Length: 75” Price: $51.00
SHW Mattock Talk about a serious tool! I’ve found that the 5” wide blade is perfect for making a trench for a 4” drainage pipe - and the axe blade on the back made short work of the tree roots I encountered. Available with OR without axe blade on rear.
53648: With axe blade: Head: 5” x 16.5”, Length: 41.5”, Weight: 5 lbs. Price: $49.00
53655C: Without axe blade: Head: 5” x 7.5”, Length: 41.5”, Weight 4.3 lbs., Price: $46.00
54528 - SHW Chopper / Root Cutter Designed like a miniature Mattock (with a longer handle!), this awesome tool is great for heavy garden chopping, trail maintenance, root pruning, etc. Head: 2.6” x 10.5” Length: 54” Weight: 3.1 lbs Price: $43.00
SHW EYE-HOES / CHOPPING HOES
