Noel and the Gulland Forge Broadfork
Here’s me showing off my Gulland Forge Broadfork. CobraHead is pleased to announce that we are now selling this tool. It’s both a beautiful and functional tool, hand made by blacksmith Larry Cooper.
A broadfork is a tool that many vegetable growers depend on. The broadfork is used to break open, loosen, and aerate the soil of beds and garden plots, and prepare the ground for planting. It is not used as a tool to open up virgin hard packed soil that has not been cultivated previously. Not every gardener needs a broadfork, but if you’re serious about growing vegetables, this tool can make your life a lot easier.
The broadfork can also be used to assist harvesting of crops like potatoes and carrots. I use it as a weeding tool in my beds if they ever get overgrown It opens up a large area quickly and easily.
I was introduced to Larry Cooper’s Gulland Forge broadfork in April of 2010. I purchased one on the recommendation of a mutual acquaintance and I got to know Larry, who at the time was living in Wisconsin. The very first time I used the fork, I knew it was a special tool and I wrote about it here. And now we are selling it and we could not be happier.
Using the broadfork is physical, it is a large hand tool, but it is not difficult or taxing even for older and smaller people. I can completely loosen up the soil in one of my five foot by 20 foot raised beds in about 20 to 30 minutes.
A big advantage of a broadfork is that it does very little damage to the soil structure. It softens the soil without churning it and allows for deep penetration of roots.
The specific advantages of the Gulland Forge broadfork include its curved tines, which make it easier to work the tool into the ground than a broadfork with straight or kinked tines. It is lighter in weight than most broadforks. It weighs just over 14 pounds. And it is made to be easily repaired should anything ever break. It’s designed to be a lifetime tool.
If you have interest in a broadfork, do your shopping. When you’re ready for a Gulland Forge Broadfork, you can buy it here.
Tags: best broad fork, broadfork, Gulland Forge, Larry Cooper
That is the most beautiful broadfork I have ever seen! We use our old broadfork all the time. The wide open-arm pulling feel is a fun feeling in the chest, and it is so much kinder to our beloved earthworms. Hand forged is the best! Good tools are an investment that last a lifetime! Beautiful-Larry Cooper!!
Noel, I think your outfit is perfect! I would wear them with bare feet, but I’m a barefoot gardner (my feet bottoms are now leather-like : ]
Actually, it was not a good idea to have this picture taken with me wearing water socks. Using the broadfork requires a firm soled shoe. A user will regret working with anything less. However, when I’m not using the broadfork, water socks are standard wear when it’s really hot. I’d go barefoot, but walking back to the house over the gravel driveway is a little painful.