Incredibly strong, lethally sharp, surprisingly light - and golden. What more could one ask of a spade? Ideal for general purpose digging, tree planting, rootballing and mixing cement etc.

With a comfortable YD handle of tubular steel, firm tread and rigid steel pipe shaft, but weighing in at only 1.8kg you can rely on this spade not to flex or break under heavy use.

• Weight: 1.075kg
• Size: 972 x 228 x 34mm
• Material: Steel
• Made in Sakai, Japan

TIPS

As the paint wears off, the steel will start to rust. Regular use is the best treatment!

CARING INSTRUCTION

Most of our sharp tools are made from carbon steel - this means they will, through regular use, stain (and eventually rust) and gradually lose their edge. Caring for them involves three things…

1. Correct Use: Japanese steel is hard and sharp, and can be more brittle than some people are used to - it will chip if abused Do not cut wire, metal, stone, plastic or any other hard material (even bamboo fibres and some very hard woods, especially knots and burrs, can damage steel edges) Do not twist or apply uneven pressure Cut diagonally across branches (not straight across) so you cut along the fibres Pay attention to our maximum cut dimensions, and don’t overdo it (shears are not loppers) Use the base of the blades, not the tips, for heavier cuts

2. Keeping Them Clean: Remove leaf resin, rust and gunk with a Crean Mate and water Dry, wipe over with Camellia oil and store in a dry place

3. Keeping Them Sharp: New tools won’t need sharpening for some time, but after a while you’ll notice them gradually lose their edge, especially if you’re box clipping (you need REALLY sharp blades to get a good finish with box). Use the Niwaki Sharpening Stones for best results (#1000 grit is best for general sharpening).