I think when Charles wrote ‘OG’, there were no copper compost or digging forks available. Recently one has been able to buy a copper border fork, but I have not tried it out yet.
I use copper tools on a daily basis both in my clients’ and my own garden – they are wonderful. Great to use, they remain sharp, look beautiful and are extremely long lasting.
The four tools I use most regularly are the Castor Trowel, Hydra Hoe, Perseus Rake and Orion Spade. The trowel in particular is a constant companion. The spade is useful for chopping up brassicas before composting, shovelling compost, digging holes for big plants and for removing shrubs and suchlike.
I have a Nunki Weeder – it is great for weeding between plants in borders, but not as useful as a hoe and trowel in the veg garden.
Ark Redwood, head gardener at Chalice Well, firmly believes that the copper tools help keep slug populations down.