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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: Pink Fingers on May 18, 2010, 11:21:23

Title: Where Can I get an Onion Hoe
Post by: Pink Fingers on May 18, 2010, 11:21:23
I have just discovered the existence/wonders of this little tool (loaned and demonstrated by one of our lovely elder statesmen).  As I desperately need to weed around both onions  :'( and parsnips, can anyone suggest where I can get a cheap one?  Best I have seen so far is on Ebay at £8.50, inc p&p.  Know that I am a tight-wad, but money is tight too!
Thanks
Title: Re: Where Can I get an Onion Hoe
Post by: Fork on May 18, 2010, 11:37:50
http://www.fredshed.co.uk/specialdeals.htm

Have a look here
Title: Re: Where Can I get an Onion Hoe
Post by: tonybloke on May 18, 2010, 17:26:01
try your local house-clearance folks. they always got good second-hand tools.
Title: Re: Where Can I get an Onion Hoe
Post by: davyw1 on May 18, 2010, 19:28:13
Make your own from a metal bucket handle bend the wire to what shape you want it.

http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,51583.msg523372.html#msg523372
Title: Re: Where Can I get an Onion Hoe
Post by: GRACELAND on May 18, 2010, 19:38:06
Quote from: Fork on May 18, 2010, 11:37:50
http://www.fredshed.co.uk/specialdeals.htm

Have a look here


That looks good have anyone bought one :)
Title: Re: Where Can I get an Onion Hoe
Post by: blackcountrysteve on May 18, 2010, 20:39:54
Quote from: Pink Fingers on May 18, 2010, 11:21:23
I have just discovered the existence/wonders of this little tool (loaned and demonstrated by one of our lovely elder statesmen).  As I desperately need to weed around both onions  :'( and parsnips, can anyone suggest where I can get a cheap one?  Best I have seen so far is on Ebay at £8.50, inc p&p.  Know that I am a tight-wad, but money is tight too!
Thanks

on the subject pink fingers perhaps you could help me please
i purchased a load of old tools from a retired gardener spades and forks etc all old but only a quid each
and in there was an onion hoe ! but how the devil do you use it, it must be simple but it's beat me

thanks in advance

steve
Title: Re: Where Can I get an Onion Hoe
Post by: grotbag on May 18, 2010, 21:24:51
why buy one make your own as davy said ,tis easy to do and  very effective to.
Title: Re: Where Can I get an Onion Hoe
Post by: davyw1 on May 19, 2010, 13:32:39
here is one out of an old curtain pole

[attachment=1]
Title: Re: Where Can I get an Onion Hoe
Post by: Pink Fingers on May 19, 2010, 16:30:18
Hi BC Steve - the one I'm talking about is a small hand held one.  It works just like a regular hoe, but is small enough to get right up close to the onions and in all the little gaps.  Looking around there seem to be a variety of different sorts though, one I was looking at is

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/MAINLYTOOLS__W0QQ_sacatZMAINLYTOOLSQQ_sidZ164725562?_nkw=hoe&submit=Search

Gracelands, I looked at Fredshed and that one looks really strange?

Davy,  Next obvious question is ... can anyone tell me where I can get an old metal bucket handle :D I so wish I had one of those wonderful sheds that my Grandpa had - everything I could ever need.
Title: Re: Where Can I get an Onion Hoe
Post by: antipodes on May 19, 2010, 17:07:04
I found a hoe in an old house, well at least it's almost like a hoe. It has a very small blade, about 3 fingers wide and 10 cm long, but it is straighter than a standard hoe blade. I found it very useful to actually dig out weeds such as dandelion while leaving surrounding plants intact. You can also push it in  a hoe-like action in small spaces to slice the tops off weeds. Very good in with the onions.
Anyone know what that might be called?
Title: Re: Where Can I get an Onion Hoe
Post by: goodlife on May 19, 2010, 17:55:58
Steve..if it like the ebay one..it needs to be sharp for start with..and the you work by pulling it towards you.. ;)
Title: Re: Where Can I get an Onion Hoe
Post by: AdeTheSpade on May 19, 2010, 19:46:05
The Garden Organic catalogue has one - it's at http://www.organiccatalogue.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=62_185&sort=1a&page=2&osCsid=9b09f7412380ed199c547ee7eec2f07d if that would be of any interest.  I've got one, and am pleased with it - it works well - does what it says on the tin! as they say  ;)
Title: Re: Where Can I get an Onion Hoe
Post by: blackcountrysteve on May 19, 2010, 20:40:06
Quote from: goodlife on May 19, 2010, 17:55:58
Steve..if it like the ebay one..it needs to be sharp for start with..and the you work by pulling it towards you.. ;)

thanks i'll give that a try  :)
Title: Re: Where Can I get an Onion Hoe
Post by: Pink Fingers on May 26, 2010, 12:41:59
I gave in gracefully and have one on order from the local garden/hardware shop.  £3.99, but off hand I can't remember the manufacturer.
Title: Re: Where Can I get an Onion Hoe
Post by: cornykev on May 26, 2010, 16:45:26
At that price I want one  :o do they have a web site Pink.   ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Where Can I get an Onion Hoe
Post by: daxzen on May 29, 2010, 22:09:20
I made one from a tang - a stainless steel 99p shop decorating wallpaper scraper which I attached to simple brush handle.

It's cheap, works great allowing very precise hoeing - is light and easy to keep sharp.

dax
Title: Re: Where Can I get an Onion Hoe
Post by: ipt8 on May 29, 2010, 23:56:39
I bought one from Freds Shed. It works OK although the handle was welded slightly askew, but not enough to complain. My only question is why is th eblade coated in paint, this will make sharpening it more difficult. Anyway I am pleased with it and I also bought an Elwell short handled swan neck hoe to do similar work from ebay. This was second hand but a lovelly balanced tool. Elwell are known for good metals that take sharpening well. Tree fellers in the UK always used Elwell axes so they could keep a good edge on the axe.
Title: Re: Where Can I get an Onion Hoe
Post by: Pink Fingers on June 14, 2010, 15:44:57
Cornykev, Been away from the computer for a while so have only just caught up.  They are an independent shop in Devizes if you are ever down this way.  They do have a site, but it doesn't even begin to cover off all the stock they have tucked away - proper Alladin's cave. Unfortunately don't have any onion hoes listed on the site

http://www.rosesofdevizes.co.uk/home (http://www.rosesofdevizes.co.uk/home)
Title: Re: Where Can I get an Onion Hoe
Post by: cornykev on June 14, 2010, 18:17:40
Cheers anyway Pink.      ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Where Can I get an Onion Hoe
Post by: cornykev on June 22, 2010, 18:01:09
I've just ordered a yeoman carbon steel onion hoe from Amazon, it was 4.99 with no postage.   ;D ;D ;D