Hello Peter, it seems that everybody has a favourite (different) hoe and mine is swivel hoe which slides just below soil level, as horizontally as possible, both as you push and pull, as long as soil is soft enough, otherwise it is mainly pulling. You can hoe close to seedlings and the hoe’s edge guides you and prevents mowing them off. Soil is lifted and then falls back in the same place so does not smother seedlings. The blade is thin and sharp, when worn out it can be replaced, rather than chucking the whole tool, so the initial cost is recouped over a period of years as it should last for decades. It may take a little practise to use well but is worth it.