Most manual post-hole augers are made from carbon steel but sometimes the handle is made from wood. If hand grips are present they will be made of soft synthetic rubber or foam. Read on for more information.
Carbon steel
Carbon steel is made from iron and carbon with smaller amounts of other elements to change the strength of the metal. A mixture of elements making a metal is called an alloy.
Increasing the amount of carbon makes the steel harder but more likely to break.
Tempering, a process of heating and cooling, softens high carbon steel allowing it to be forged into a tool while still keeping its hardness.
Adding manganese to the alloy makes it less brittle and improves its ability to be shaped with a hammer when hot.
Tubular carbon steel can be used to make the handle and shaft of a manual post-hole auger. Tubular steel is lighter than solid steel but is still very strong.
Wood
Some handles are made from wood, usually a hardwood such as beech.
The wood can be cut and sanded into a pole.
Wood rots if not treated with a preservative, such as oil, particularly if it gets wet.
Synthetic rubber
If hand grips are present then they are usually made from synthetic rubber (other materials include foam).
Rubber hand grips are soft so they reduce the chance of blisters. They also absorb the vibrations of the tool as it cuts into the ground making it a more comfortable experience.
Most rubber hand grips are designed to fit the shape of the hand decreasing the likelihood of the user’s hand slipping and increasing comfort of use.
Foam
Plastic foam is lighter in weight than synthetic rubber.
Foam hand grips are often textured to increase grip on the tool but they are too spongy to be made to fit the shape of the hand.
Foam is not as durable as rubber and wears out faster…
…but it is cheaper to produce.
Rubber and foam hand grips can be replaced if they wear out over time.
