Buying guide......

I have over 235 variations of tools, and for some just what's listed on the website can be a little overwhelming so I have created this page and will add to it as time progresses with the view to help you to make the correct choice.

If you need further assistance please don't hesitate to CONTACT ME

I think the first thing to mention is that each tool now comes with a 15 year guarantee against my workmanship and my materials selection.

Garden tools:

Mesh: The most common question with these is about the mesh size and uses. Here is what I advise:

- 1/8" mesh - Potting for either shop bought compost or home made compost that has been refined by a larger mesh already.

- 1/4" mesh - Potting with either shop bought or homemade compost, also used by some on the beds to get a fine tilth.

- 1/2" mesh for beds and plots, when you measure 1/2" on a rule it seems quite a size but when the soil is on the ground having been through it, it looks pretty fine and tidy. I use the 1/2" on my front of house flower beds. These along with the 1/4" mesh are quite popular for people picking and drying cut flowers.

- 3/4" and above, again fine for flower beds, maybe a little big for the veg plot but its really personal preference.

Hoop diameters: The main consideration here is space, you don't want to be potting with a big tool in a small glasshouse. But when it comes to the outside tools, with the amount you sometimes need to Sieve, a bigger diameter hoop helps you to get the bulk through quicker.

The 18" diameter is still the most popular for outside, the 8" for the potting shed or glasshouse. I have introduced more sizes and the 14" is becoming very popular. If im honest its become my personal favourite, it has the solid feeling of the 18" but being a little more manageable for smaller folk.

 The difference between the galvanized and copper is purely aesthetic, more often or not the copper ones are given as gifts as they have the shiny wow factor upon opening.

Kitchen Tools:

There are three meshes listed for the Kitchen Sieve, the fine, medium and coarse.

The fine was originally the only one on offer, this is suitable for shop bought flour and cocoa or anything of a similar size.

The medium option was introduced later with the gaps being a bit bigger than the fine (similar to that of a conventional domed metal kitchen strainer) for the use with your more artisan and wholegrain flours, straining of rice and vegetables.

Coarse, again a later edition for use with the very biggest of grains.

I will happily send out sample swatches for each of the above, please CONTACT ME to arrange.

Finishes:

We currently offer two finishes.

Raw Linseed Oil: English grown raw linseed oil has been my main go to oil for most of my time making. From an ethical point of view it suits me down to the ground, grown and processed in West Sussex, food safe, clean and many people like the smell of it, it really does tick most of the boxes I require. The only downfall for me is its lack of longevity in an outdoor setting, and it being a raw product is perfect food for mildew growth, which is not always ideal for overwintering your tools in a damp garden shed.

Pure Tung Oil: Initially this was my oil of choice, again food safe and a relatively clean oil with pretty good outdoor resistance and longevity but the one stumbling block for me is it not being suitable for people with nut allergies. Its for this reason that Linseed became my standard go to oil, but with the potential issue for mildew in a damp shed, Pure Tung would maybe be more suited to those without an allergy keeping their tools in such an environment over the damp seasons.

For recoating after your purchase, really use an oil of your choice. As long as you are treating the hoops with something, keeping away the dry rot and wood worm, along with reducing the likely hood of heavy splitting can all be achieved by an oil once a year or more.