What are the parts of an edging iron?
What are the parts of an edging iron? |
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Blade |
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The half moon shape of the blade (sometimes called the head) allows easy penetration of the soil. The curved edge is slightly sharpened to further improve this. Edging tool blades are made from steel, either carbon or stainless.
The tubular piece which attaches the blade to the handle is something to look out for when buying an edging iron; a thinner one may become a weak point when the tool is levered, therefore the thicker the better. |
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Foot treadsThe top (straight) edge of the blade usually has extra material which is bent over slightly to create a small lip on either side of the shaft. This acts as a foot tread where the user can place their foot to push the edging iron into the soil. The foot treads protect footwear and provide the means of a more stable downward force. |
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Handle |
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The handle is a long shaft with a small T section to grip at the top. An edging iron is held with both hands for aim and force. An average length for the handle is around 85cm, making the whole tool approximately 1m.
The handle and the shaft can be one piece of material or two fixed together. Wooden shafts (mainly ash) may be carved from one piece, or may have a plastic handle riveted in place, like the metal or fibreglass models. |
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