Kitchen Garden Forum

Some time ago I posted on what was my favourite tool which I called a Mattock. I have just returned from the Isles of Scilly where I came across a similar tool but they called it a Chipper.



The isles of Scilly are beautiful and many of the fields are the size of allotments where they grow flower bulbs. I thought the place was close to heaven on earth, if you get my meaning.
There are many blackbirds and song thrushes and no magpies which is for me is good.
Below is a photograph of the many small fields of bulbs left to dry out.


All the best

Barney

I've got one of those! I inherited it from my Dad who had it from his Dad,I use it to draw soil up the spuds and I never knew it was called a chipper,it usually got called 'that big hoe thing'.It was modified at one stage to drag compost out of a hopper by giving it a handle about 6ft long.

Hello Carole

I also inherited mine from my Dad and it was always refered to as the 'potatoe hoe'. A similar tool is still made and often used in Africa called a Mattock.

Although it says the tool was used to break up the soil between rows of bulbs and potatoes, I'm sure it was also used to earth up the rows as well.

Barney

It's like the Chillington trenching hoe. I use that for earthing up potatoes etc etc. It's one of the most useful tools I've got.

Hi Barney,
The first picture is almost the same as the one I have and have only known that as a Mattock and I know that this tool was in use prior to 1860 because the person who originally used it died in that year.
You will note that in the first picture the blade is longer and square cut, as is mine, but could it be that with constant use they get rounded like they are in the other pictures?

I think it looks like what we in Ireland call a Grubber.regards P B.

I agree with you Jane. I've got a Chillington ridging hoe (pointed blade) and their Canterbury fork (three pronged) and they're the most useful hand tools I've got - after my various trowels, I suppose. Hardly ever need to use a spade or a fork!

John

Hello Johnboy

Yes the same thought did occur to me regarding the wear but I am inclined to think they were made with that rounded shape. My mattock is like the first picture and I have recently bought another for a coulple of pounds at a car boot sale, all I need is a handle to fit it which is proving difficult.

Perhaps someone from the Isles of Scilly would know about the rounded shape. I am also interested in their bulb growing methods which I believe are explained in a new book called The Golden Harvest.

All the best

Barney

Try agricultural suppliers, the nearest to me has every kind of handle I know of. Or a builders merchant perhaps, how diferent is the handle to that of a pick axe?