Lesche Digging Tool: Product Review

Lesche Digging Tool

Golden Shovel Award WinnerDigging smaller holes with a trowel, especially when you have a lot of them to dig (such as when planting bulbs in fall), can quickly get tiring. But with the Lesche Digging Tool from W.W. Manufacturing Co. Inc., the job becomes much easier. And it does much more than just dig holes.

For years, my go-to multi-purpose gardening tool was a hori hori (Japanese digging knife). But it’s been supplanted by the Lesche Digging Tool. Here’s why …

Easy to Hold

With a large, comfortable, plastic handle, it’s easy to get a good grip on the Lesche tool. The handle is ribbed so your hand doesn’t slide up and down while you’re digging.

And the handle is bright red. That’s perfect for someone like me who’s always forgetting tools out in the garden – it’s easy to find it amidst the greenery.

Blade Guard to Protect Your Hand

With other digging knives, it’s easy for your hand to slip down onto the blade. With the Lesche Digging Tool, the blade guard prevents that. Plus, it protects your hand from sharp objects in the soil when you’re digging.

At first, I thought the blade guard would get in the way or be cumbersome. Now, I wouldn’t want to dig without it.

Lesche Digging ToolSimple to Use and Versatile

With a trowel, you tend to use a forward, underhand motion to dig holes. But with the Lesche Digging Tool, the natural action is to stab the tool straight into the ground and pull it toward you. Much easier!

It’s also easy to slice through roots when weeding, cut through sod (we’ve used it to edge a flower bed), dig trenches (we laid soaker hose in the trenches), weed between bricks or pavers, cut twine or plant ties, and so much more.

Strong Blade

The blade on the Lesche Digging Tool is relatively thick and is heat-treated for greater strength. I’ve used it to pry up paving stones, move rocks, and dig through gravel, all without so much as a dent in the blade.

Great for Cutting

The blade has two edges; one is serrated, the other is flat. The serrated edge is good for cutting through tangled root balls (for example, when dividing perennials), heavy clay soil, or tree roots, while the flat edge makes quick work of slicing through plastic bags, marking lines for sowing seeds, and weeding.

For all of you lefties out there, there’s a left-handed version of the Lesche Digging Tool. The serrated edge is usually on the right (as shown in the photo to right) but in the left-handed version, the serrated edge is on the left.

The blade edges are dull when you buy the tool. If you’re uncomfortable with sharp tools, you can use the Lesche Digging Tool as is. However, we recommend sharpening it with a grinder or mill file; it’ll make your work that much easier.

Made in the U.S.A.

So many tools these days are made overseas (and can be of questionable quality). The Lesche Digging Tool is made in Bridgeton, NJ and has a 5-year warranty. The maker, W.W. Manufacturing Co. Inc., was founded in the 1950’s by Walter Lesche and is still family owned.

Recommendation

5-shovelsWe give the Lesche Digging Tool a 5-shovel rating because of its quality and versatility.

Where to Buy It

It can be difficult to find the Lesche Digging Tool in garden centers so your best bet is to buy it online. The best source is Amazon, where it sells for under $40 (and usually qualifies for free shipping with a Prime membership). Other sources include American Garden Tools, King of Spades, and A.M. Leonard. Price is generally around $42 to $45 – well worth it for a versatile tool that will last a lifetime.  Below are the links to buy it on Amazon.

Standard Lesche Digging Tool & Sod Cutter (Right Serrated Blade)

Lesche Digging Tool & Sod Cutter & Free Sheath! (Serrated on Left Side)

Disclosure: I received a free tool from the company for my review. There was no expectation that I would write a favorable review. I like the tool so much that I’ve bought another one in case I lose it.

Which digging tools have you used? Any you’d like us to review? Let us know in the comments below.

SOURCE:http://gardeningproductsreview.com/lesche-digging-tool-product-review/