Flexrake 550W Hula-Ho Mattock/Cultivator with 14-Inch Wood Handle

If I could only have one tool this is the one I'd pick. Actually I have a ton of gardening tools but this is the one in my hands or on my belt loops 90% of the time. Well made and so versatile. I less you are only gardening in a few containers on a patio or something, this is a must have. I had to get two because my husband kept stealing mine. Don't make the mistake I made and buy another brand that may look good but falls apart halfway through the season. Get this one, it'll last year after year. But mark it with your name lest you companions or neighbors "borrow" it.

The tool was advertised as made in the USA on Amazon and on the manufacturer's website. The manufacturer's website says,"At Flexrake® we are committed to American manufacturing. We continue to employ Americans in manufacturing and do everything in our power to retain jobs in America. Our top selling garden and pet products are "Made in America", here in Temple City, California. We believe that we can be competitive in America and we intend on continuing that philosphy. Our customers and our associates are and will remain our top priority."When I received the item the first thing I looked for was the made in the USA sticker, stamp, whatever. I did see satisfaction guaranteed and a California address on the sticker on the handle. Upon further inspection I noticed the steel of the tool was stamped CHINA. The tool does not look like what you would expect an American tool to look like. The steel is welded together where the rake and mattock join the head instead of being forged or cast. Instead of securing the handle with a wood or steel wedge, there is a small steel rivet through the head securing the handle. So, the handle cannot be replaced. The rivet pin looks small for the use of this tool and prone to failure. I am sure for light use this tool would be fine, but the tool is not what you would expect if you want American quality. I returned the item.

I have a problem with goutweed, which is an invasive rhizome-based weed common in the NE part of the US. A combo tool of this type works well to dig down and extract the weed and its underground rhizomes. My prior tool was based on a design with a cultivator head spot welded to a round shaft and after a few years of digging and weeding, the tool broke at the weld. The Flexrake 550W was purchased as a replacement and it works great. It is based on a design with a cast iron one-piece head which provides for improved durability and due to its weight, also makes for an easier time in penetrating the soil to go after the goutweed rhizomes. Bottom-line an excellent upgrade.

Sturdy hand tool. I have used this on small gardening projects on hard/dry soil. It has held up well. It is worth noting that the business end of this tool is secured with a screw(hopefully this screw will hold up to continued use).

I love this thing. Extremely well built and durable. I have been able to cultivate several new gardens and clean up existing gardens with this handy tool. You can use it to remove fairly large chunks of sod by hand and dig out large weeds and root beds with minimal effort. I wish I could find something as durable in a larger option. After a while your back will begin to hurt from bending and manipulating it, but if you're only doing a small section then this tool is well worth the money.

I have worn out 2 mattocks in 20 years. I could not find one as heavy duty as the old ones. This one is. I LOVE it. It is heavy enough to make a difference and perfectly balanced. The tines are strong and separated just right. i ordered two because I am particularly hard on them and just can't garden with out one. But these are absolutely great. i am thrilled. I wish I had checked Amazon further before I bought two complete failures, one from a hardware store , the other from my gardening place.83 year-old gardener

I bought one of these four years ago and it's worth every cent I paid. It's strong and I can get a lot done with it. The only problem is, sometimes I find my self working for some one and not having it with me, so I'm about to buy another one to keep in my car. It's a great little tool and I should have given this five stars four years ago. Just forgot.

This is a great tool! The quality is good and the tool itself is very useful. Today I dug out potatoes with the pronged side instead of a pitch fork. It's easy to throw with decent force without hurting my back and shoulders like many larger tools. The hoe end was useful for digging a now hole to replant more potatoes. When we're gardening together, it's a fight over who gets to use this tool.