Wilcox All-Pro 251S 11" All-Pro Trowel

I’ve had this tool for a long time - I think around 15-20 years now, maybe even more. It is hands down my FAVORITE gardening tool ever. Whenever I need a housewarming gift for a friend who gardens, I give them this tool because it is so useful.First things first - I always want to know if tools like these will hold up before I spend the money. This one absolutely will. If I bothered to wash all the dirt off it, it would look brand new. This tool is very well designed and made of high quality materials. The only reason I’d ever need to replace it is if I lost it.That brings us to the next question, why do I love it so much? There are so many reasons…let me share a few:- the metal part is strong and WILL NOT BEND no matter what you are trying to dig up- the blade is long and can dig deep (I think there’s a shorter one, but I definitely recommend this length)- the point on the end isn’t so sharp it will cut you, but it’s sharp enough to cut through weeds and roots as you dig- it’s way better than any other trowel I’ve used, and in many cases I use it instead of a shovel, because it’s big enough to dig holes for most things I plant while being far more precise than a shovel- it’s perfect for digging those small but deep holes for bulbs- it’s also perfect for digging up weeds with a long taproot - I dig all around the weed and then I can get my hand around the root to pull it up without breaking the taproot- it’s perfect as a lever for loosening stubborn roots - for example, I’m pulling out well established English ivy, and when I get to a vine that is really stuck in the ground, I use this to get under the stuck part and start to lever it up and loosen it- the grip is really comfortable, so I can use it for long periods without wearing out my hand or wristSeriously, this tool is the best. If you like playing in the garden and getting your hands dirty, you need one of these in your life.

This is an exceptional tool.Before buying this, I went through trowels like crazy. I've had ones break after a few months, but usually the last at most a couple years. I finally looked up this trowel online, and after seeing the stellar reviews, bought it, mainly because I wanted something that was going to last me for years. I was pleased though that this trowel isn't just durable, it works much more effectively than a typical trowel. Like, the difference was remarkable. Using this trowel, I was able to uproot large, tough plants with thick, deep roots (like greater burdock, pokeweed) that I normally would require a large shovel to remove. But, compared to gardening with the shovel, I found that this smaller trowel resulted in less soil disturbance. This is great, as it'll help me to garden and do ecological restoration work with less disruption of the soil. The sharp edges are also very effective at cutting roots, which can be very helpful for removing plants with large branched roots.I've been using this tool for over three years, and I pretty much only use it and larger shovels.My only complaint so far is that the leather loop broke within the first year, and there's no way I can find to fix or replace it. Besides this, the tool itself shows almost no wear...I haven't even had to sharpen the blades, and I've been digging with it in gravel, cutting roots with it, for over three years now.There are some little details too in how this trowel is different from other trowels that make it useful. It's slightly longer, which allows you to get a bit more leverage. This means I'm able to do more without having to carry a blukier shovel with me. The v-shape (rather than a U-shape) to the blade also makes it good for planting acorns, nuts, and large seeds, something I do fairly frequently...you can place the nut in the middle and roll it down into the hole you just dug, and because it's a neat V, you have more control. The combination of the long blade and V-shape is also great for laying down soil, for the same reason...you can hold this trowel and shake the soil over an area and you have much more control than you do with a shorter, U-shaped trowel.Plus, there's a ruler on it! This is immensely useful, not only for measuring soil depth, but I tend to like to have a ruler with me when I'm working with plants, for ID purposes, and it's just a bonus to have a ruler with me on the trowel that I'm going to be carrying with me anyway.If I could suggest any redesign option it would be to redesign it so that it is possible to reattach the leather strings if they break. I would love to see a metal loop built into the tool itself, or at least, the plastic handle designed with a loop so that it were easier to reattach strings. This is my only complaint or suggestion for improving this amazing tool.

This tool is great! The long handle is very useful and the tool itself is very versatile and strong. It has a very sharp cutting edge and is great for when you're metal detecting.

This gardening trowel is nothing short of amazing, and I speak from experience, having used a multitude of trowels over the years. It stands head and shoulders above the generic ones found in big box stores. The one-piece construction is a game-changer, making it a strong contender for indestructibility. Crafted from stainless steel, it not only boasts impressive durability but also remarkable rust resistance. I've left it outside for over two years, and it hasn't shown a hint of corrosion. It's become my trusty sidekick in the garden, tackling a wide range of tasks with ease and reliability. In the world of gardening tools, this trowel is a true standout, and I couldn't be more satisfied with its performance and resilience.

This is the perfect little shovel for my gardens. It’s really sturdy and well made.

I started a straw bale garden project for the first time, and thought this trowel would be just the thing to cut through the bale when it was time to plant my transplants. It was no match for my straw, but using my other hand to pull out wads of straw, it helped widen the hole. Definitely a strong trowel that will last a lifetime without bending or rusting.

Solid trowel. The sharp edge cuts through dirt easily. The straight design takes a little getting used to, but the build quality assures you'll be using it for a long time.

Didn't think I'd ever be raving about a garden trowel, but here I am. This is the best darn trowel ever. It's one solid piece of metal, so it can't break on you. It's got a nice pointed tip which is perfect if your dirt is hard as rocks like mine. The handle is nice to grip, and it's just really well made overall. I've been using it for awhile now, and I have a feeling as long as I don't lose it, this is a buy it for life purchase.

We all know they say, never use a trowel for prying. Ridiculous, a trowel should be able to pry within reason, and this suites my needs.NOTE TO THE COMPANY: Sharp blade edge! These should have a cardboard guard for shipping. It was shipped in a light bubble mailer with 1 layer of bubble wrap, no protection to the shippers or customer.

Brilliant item for the garden, for planting and weeding. Brilliant all round tool and very heavy duty.

This product caught my attention because was featured in several articles about ultra durable garden trowels. The price seemed a bit high for a little trowel but I could not find anything else that would meet my needs. Specifically, I was looking for a full tang shovel or trowel that could fit in my backpack, that could be used for gardening, and also for any other digging. Most importantly, I was looking for a tool that I could expect to last for at least a few years of hard use.It arrived today, and although I haven't had a chance to use it, I'm impressed. I've only owned a few trowels in my life but this one certainly seems like it is in a class of its own. I fully expect it to live up to my expectations.

What a great trowel!! I hate it when they bend, and although I never thought I’d spend $30 on a trowel, after wasting so much money on useless ones, I figured it was better to invest in a good one. Am I ever glad I did! Our soil is very clay-based, and can get quite hard. No problem for this trowel. Would recommend to even a hobby gardener (like me) if you want a good tool to last.

Seems pretty strong! Cuts roots of dandelions quite well. Seems like it will last. I've only just got it though so maybe ask again after more significant use!