Gulland Forge Broadfork

Broadforks are an old Northern European tool that have recently come to prominence again as an excellent option for soil aeration/loosening, WITHOUT soil inversion OR lots of labor. They are intended to be used on garden soils that have previously been worked, such as “last year’s garden”, and Broadforking is typically done first thing in the Spring, as soon as the ground can be worked. However, many folks find they work very well for harvest as well, for root crops such as potatoes, carrots, etc.

We are pleased to have forged a partnership with Larry Cooper, owner of Gulland Forge, producer of thse completely hand-made broadforks, which we feel are the finest on the market. They are unique in that the five round tines are forged to a continuous curve and have symmetrical forged points, both of which aid greatly in reducing friction during penetration into the soil. Tennessee-made Ash handles are affixed with stainless-steel lag bolts in large diameter round sockets…no having to “wedge” the handles in place, like on lesser Broadforks. We tested these tools in our clay soils against the Johnny’s™ Broadforks, and we found even our Standard model (without Gussets) to be tougher and superior in design. (NOTE: Johnny’s™ claims 10.5” tines, but this is a misrepresentation…their tines only protrude about 9” below their frame, which means only 9” of soil penetration…the same as our Standard model.) The addition of Reinforcement Gussets to our two larger Broadforks means that even in super-heavy soils with roots or rocks, the tines will resist bending.

(PLEASE NOTE: A Broadfork is NOT a substitute for a “digging bar” or a pickaxe or mattock…if you are performing Initial Tillage [breaking sod] on heavy soils, or have large rocks/roots to pry out, a Broadfork is not the correct tool for immediate full-depth penetration. The Gusseted Broadforks can be used for Initial tillage, but it is recommended to only go to half-depth on the first “pass”, then go to full depth on a second “pass” over the bed.)

For some videos on the proper use of these tools, check out Gulland Forge’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/GullandForge

3 MODELS AVAILABLE:

“Standard”

• Overall height: 57”
• Overall Width: 21”, Tine Width: 17.5”
• True Tine Length (below frame): 9”
• Weight: 15 lbs
• Item BF 15

$185.00

“Standard with Gussets” (not pictured)

• Overall height: 57”
• Overall Width: 21”, Tine Width: 17.5”
• True Tine Length (below frame): 9”
• Weight: 16 lbs (Gusseted tines for extra strength)
• Item BF 16

$215.00

“Big Bertha”

• Overall height: 60”
• Overall Width: 22.5”, Tine Width: 18.5”
• True Tine Length (below frame): 11.25”
• Weight: 19 lbs (Gusseted tines for extra strength)
• Item BF 18

$225.00

---

Italian “Magna Grecia” Digging Hoe

Now here is a new concept:… A 2-pronged “Hoe” with LONG tines for deep soil-working. This tool is so different from most hoes, it is hard to even classify it as one… it’s more like a digging fork that you swing! Because of the physics of swinging a tool (rather than thrusting it) into the soil, this tool has some great advantages in terms of deep penetration with relatively minimal effort. The thing is so effective in its penetration, however, that a healthy dose of ‘tool sense’ is required on the part of the user: the tool CAN be damaged if you pry too hard!! The blade on the back is good for breaking up clumps. Hickory handle. Forged Head made by the Falci company in Italy. Using this tool to break small areas of sod, or for deep aeration of beds, is actually amazingly easy and effective if used properly!

VIDEO: Mounting the tool head

Click here for a video on this amazing tool (filmed in Canada by Peter Vido)

• Tines: 10” long, 4” apart
• Blade: 2.5” x 5”
• Total length: 54”
• Total weight: 5 lbs
• Item FA 244

$50.00

---

Ammann Digging Fork (Switzerland)

Extremely unique design: the head is offset an inch behind the handle, for better tool ergonomics. This really does make it more comfortable to use! Tempered steel tines, nice long handle with oversized T-Grip at top that you can get two hands on. This is the strongest wooden-handled fork we have…it withstood the acid test in our Sun-baked Kentucky lawn in the drought of Summer 2012, with our ex-NFL (no, I am not kidding!) sales manager Chris TRYING to break it!!

• Length: 51”
• Head: 7.5” x 11.5”
• Weight: 5 lbs
• Item EU1570

$74.00

---

Spear-Head Spades

These American-made shovels are unique in that they offer a narrow head for easy penetration, and a WIDE step, so the effort required for using these shovels is very low. Tempered High-carbon/Manganese steel heads, reinforced fiberglass handles with a UV-inhibitor for long life. VERY popular for women, because of their light weight and ease of use!

SH Spade-D (with D-grip handle)

• Head Length: 11”
• Head Width: (widest point BELOW step): 6”
• Total Width (Including Steps): 9”
• 41” long, weight 3.4 lbs.

$46.00

SH Spade-L (long straight handle)

• Head Length: 11”
• Head Width: (widest point BELOW step): 6”
• Total Width (Including Steps): 9”
• 59” long, weight 3.8 lbs.

$48.00