6 Best Garden Tool Sets For Small Scale Farming Old Farmers Swear By
Discover the 6 garden tool sets veteran farmers rely on. These durable, time-tested collections are essential for successful small-scale farming.
There’s a moment every new farmer has. It’s when the handle of a cheap, hardware-store shovel splinters in your hands while you’re trying to pry out a rock. In that instant, you realize that good tools aren’t a luxury; they are a fundamental requirement for turning a patch of land into a productive farm. The right tool set saves your back, your time, and ultimately, your money. For old-timers, tools are an investment in efficiency, not just a collection of implements.
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What Old-Timers Look For in a Garden Tool Set
Seasoned farmers judge a tool by its feel, not its feature list. They look for simplicity and durability above all else. This means forged steel heads, not stamped or welded ones. Forged steel is denser, holds a sharper edge, and resists bending when you inevitably hit a buried root or rock. A stamped metal spade will fold under that pressure.
The handle is just as critical. Full-tang construction on hand tools and a solid socket connection on long tools are non-negotiable. Old-timers favor straight-grained ash or hickory for handles because they absorb shock well and can be replaced if they ever break. Fiberglass is a practical, rot-proof alternative, but it lacks the forgiving flex and traditional feel of good wood.
Finally, they look for balance. A well-made tool feels like an extension of your body, not a clumsy weight on the end of a stick. This balance reduces fatigue over a long day of work. A good set isn’t about having twenty specialized gadgets; it’s about having four or five perfectly balanced, indestructible tools that can handle 90% of the jobs you throw at them.
Fiskars Ergo Set: Comfort for Long Work Days
Fiskars is the name you turn to when your joints start complaining. Their tools are engineered for ergonomics, featuring lightweight composite handles and signature D-shaped grips that reduce wrist and back strain. For tasks like turning compost or moving mulch, their long-handled tools are noticeably easier on the body than heavier, traditional options.
The trade-off for that lightweight comfort is in brute strength. While perfectly adequate for established beds and loamy soil, these tools are not the first choice for breaking tough, virgin ground. The composite materials are incredibly strong for their weight, but they don’t offer the same feeling of indestructible power you get from a solid steel and wood tool. They are a fantastic choice for market gardeners or anyone putting in long hours on maintenance tasks where fatigue is the main enemy.
DeWit Forged Tools: A Lifetime Inheritance
When you pick up a DeWit tool, you understand what "buy it for life" means. Hand-forged in the Netherlands from Swedish boron steel, these tools are built to be passed down through generations. The heads have a heft and sharpness that cheap tools simply cannot replicate. They make tough jobs like slicing through clay soil or prying out stubborn taproots feel surprisingly manageable.
This level of craftsmanship comes at a premium. A DeWit set is a serious upfront investment, and it’s not for the casual weekend gardener. It’s for the small-scale farmer who views their tools as essential partners in their work. The oiled ash handles feel solid and comfortable in your hands, and the sheer durability means you’ll likely never have to buy another spade or fork again. This is the set you buy once and cry once.
Corona ComfortGEL Set: Top for Hand-Held Tasks
While long-handled tools do the heavy lifting, a huge amount of farm work happens on your knees. For these hand-held tasks, Corona’s ComfortGEL line is a standout. The soft, ergonomic grips on their trowels, weeders, and cultivators are a game-changer for preventing hand cramps and fatigue during hours of planting or weeding.
A good set of hand tools is just as important as your shovels and rakes. The Corona tools feature solid aluminum or stainless steel heads that resist rust and bending. While their long-handled tools are decent, their hand-held sets are where they truly excel. For anyone spending significant time on detailed, close-up garden work, this is the set to own. It makes the repetitive motions of farming far more comfortable.
Bully Tools: American-Made for Tough Ground
Bully Tools are built for one purpose: breaking tough ground. These are heavy-duty, overbuilt implements made from thick-gauge American steel. If your "small farm" involves compacted clay, rocky soil, or clearing overgrown land, this is your brand. There is nothing subtle or elegant about them; they are designed for maximum force and durability.
They often feature triple-wall fiberglass handles that are virtually indestructible and completely weatherproof. They won’t rot or splinter like wood can if left out in the rain. The trade-off is weight and a bit of finesse. A Bully Tools shovel is heavier than its counterparts, but you’ll never worry about it bending. It’s the right choice for the homesteader who needs to do serious earth-moving and values raw power over lightweight ergonomics.
AMES Forged 4-Piece Set: A Time-Tested Classic
AMES is a name that has been on farm tools for centuries, and for good reason. They represent the sweet spot between affordability and real-deal durability. Their forged-head tool sets provide a significant step up from the flimsy, stamped-metal tools common in big-box stores, but without the premium price tag of a brand like DeWit.
This is the quintessential workhorse set. The hardwood handles are sturdy, and the forged steel heads can take a beating. It’s the perfect starter set for a new farmer who needs reliable tools that will last but isn’t ready to invest in heirloom-quality pieces just yet. You get a dependable shovel, bow rake, hoe, and cultivator that will handle the vast majority of farm tasks without complaint. It’s the standard by which other mid-range tools are judged.
Radius Garden PRO Set: Ergonomic Soil Turning
The most striking feature of Radius Garden tools is the patented, circular O-shaped handle. This design might look unusual, but it provides a significant ergonomic advantage, especially for tools used for digging and prying. It allows you to use both hands in a more natural position, offering more leverage and dramatically reducing stress on the hands and wrists.
This set is a problem-solver. For farmers with arthritis, carpal tunnel, or any kind of grip-strength issue, the Radius PRO line can be a revelation. The stainless steel or carbon steel heads are sharp and durable, and the design truly makes a difference when turning over heavy soil or digging deep holes. While the feel may not be for everyone, those who need the ergonomic benefit swear by them and wouldn’t use anything else.
Tool Care: Making Your Investment Last Decades
The best tool in the world is useless if it’s not cared for. Old-timers know that a few minutes of maintenance at the end of the day can add decades to a tool’s life. The most important habit is simple: clean your tools after every use. Scrape off mud with a putty knife and wipe them dry to prevent rust from forming on the metal and rot from setting into the wood.
Keep your edges sharp. A dull hoe or spade requires twice the effort to use. A few passes with a mill bastard file on the edge of your shovel, hoe, or cultivator makes a world of difference in how easily it slices through soil and weeds. This isn’t just about maintenance; it’s about making your own work easier.
For wooden handles, maintenance is key. Once a year, lightly sand down any rough spots and apply a generous coat of boiled linseed oil. This nourishes the wood, prevents it from drying out and cracking, and keeps the handle smooth in your hands. This simple ritual connects you to your tools and ensures your investment pays off for years, or even decades, to come.
Ultimately, the best tool set is a personal choice that depends on your soil, your body, and the scale of your work. Don’t fall for gimmicks or all-in-one gadgets. Invest in simple, well-made tools from a reputable brand, care for them properly, and they will become trusted partners in your farm’s success.
