Weed Slice and Precision Shears

Burgon & Ball ‘Weed Slice’

The Weed Slice is similar in function to a hoe but a little different in how it works; the idea is that it skims through soil and gravel to slice off young weeds as they start to grow.

This is the long handled version and is to be used in the standing position, so weeds can be removed without having to bend or kneel. A short handled version is also available from Burgon and Ball for those who don’t mind kneeling.

The Weed Slice consists of a long, hardwood handle with a heat treated high-carbon steel head. The handle is a good thickness; it doesn’t feel bulky or heavy. The compact fishtail-shaped head is only 11cm wide which means it’s extremely versatile; ideal for removing weeds in gravels paths, driveways and in between plants in the borders or on the allotment.

The Weed Slice works primarily on the pull stroke; it’s shape allows it to dig in under weeds on the pull and slice any remaining weeds on the push. The front of the head is sharpened for cutting whereas the back isn’t as its for pulling and clearing.

We used it in a gravel area and on the allotment where it worked well. It performs best on loose surfaces where it can skim under the surface and cut through the weed roots. We did have a go in a border where the ground is heavy with quite a hard surface – it did still slice weeds at surface level, but it struggled to penetrate any deeper and therefore the weed roots still remained.

Conclusion: We think this is a really handy tool for the right situations; if you have a light soil or gravel areas it’s definitely a good choice. We would also say that it’s better suited to young weeds with a small root system rather than weeds with big taproots like dock and thistle.

Burgon & Ball ‘ Precision Shears’

These shears are made for trimming and shaping shrubs and hedges, they have highly pointed blades rather like large scissors with long aluminium alloy handles making them ultra-lightweight (750g) for their size (overall length 65cm).

The quality and finish is good, the handles are predominantly alloy but they have inlaid plastic grips which makes them comfortable to hold.

These are fantastic shears and razor sharp! As the blades are pointed they’re well suited to precision and intricate trimming. We used these to shape some Buxus balls and cones, they were also very good for cutting back fine leaved evergreen grasses such as Stipa tenuissima in spring.

We liked that they have rubber cushions between the handles, meaning there’s no jarring of the hands or wrists, giving a very smooth action overall.

Conclusion: We wouldn’t use these for cutting a large woody hedge with thick branches as that’s not what they’re for, but for the soft growth of shrubs, hedges and topiary they’re ideal and get a thumbs up from us.

You can read all of the teams Tools On Test here: https://shop.barnsdalegardens.co.uk/blogs/tools-on-test