Magna Grecia hoe upgrade options

I love my Falci Magna Grecia hoe.

Except it's too easy to bend, as the tines are not quite stout enough near the base/neck. I could destroy mine one-handed... In fact, this was the first thing I was told, when I first used one on the Bullock homestead... 'they're great, but easy to wreck, be careful!'


I love it for clearing reed canary grass and other beefy weeds; pry up big chunks of matted weeds, with a minimum of disturbance of deeper soil.. It works great on large thistles, dock, etc; jab the long tines driven in on each side of a deep taproot will often be able to yank the whole plant out, relying on the bulk of the crown/foliage to pry.


But I know darn well I'm gonna end up wrecking it, it's just not *quite* robust enough in my previously unfarmed soil, riddled with large rocks and buried roots/logs. Stubborn grass clumps are tough enough to destroy the tool if caution is not maintained.

And, the head really likes to rattle around on the handle; it drops on, seems snug, but never stays that way more than a couple moments.


And, I can't buy replacements in Canada, as they are long discontinued and sold out up here, far as I can tell. Shipping from the states is exhorbitant, and that stock won't be around forever either...


Looking for replacements/upgrades.



So far, I have found not one but two options from Rebel Tools:

Field model, looks like basic design is unchanged, attachment mechanism seems different. May be more robust, may not..
https://www.susquehannasustainability.com/rebel-garden-tools-1/magna-grecia-field-model

Forest model, totally different blade design, definitely more robust. But heavy.
https://www.susquehannasustainability.com/rebel-garden-tools-1/magna-grecia-forest-model


The gotchas with these two are:
1) Price; after converting to CDN and adding a LOT of shipping these tools cost as much as used tractor implements sourced locally. Yeesh.
2) Length of 51" overall. The Falci is 54, and I wish for an inch or two more pretty regularly.


And really, what I want is precisely in between the two!


My other thought has been to weld a strip of steel atop the tines, starting at around the halfway point. I'd sure like to have a replacement on hand before trying that!




So. Any other Magna Grecia users have similar issues?


Anyone know of other replacement options? Especially Canadian sources?

I've no experience with these hoes from any source, but I do have a suggestion.
Since you weld,  try weldinging one from scratch.
I don't have any formal knowledge  about steel, but my experience tells me bedrails are cheap and incredibly tough.
The "L" cross section would add a lot of strength to the tines.

If it's more than you want to tackle,  maybe a local machine/welding shop would do it for you at a reasonable price.

That forest model looks STOUT.  Joy to use, pain to carry.

William Bronson wrote: I've no experience with these hoes from any source, but I do have a suggestion.
Since you weld,  try weldinging one from scratch.
I don't have any formal knowledge  about steel, but my experience tells me bedrails are cheap and incredibly tough.
The "L" cross section would add a lot of strength to the tines.

If it's more than you want to tackle,  maybe a local machine/welding shop would do it for you at a reasonable price.

I wish I could envision having the time to do this, and definitely hope to some day! Besides time,  my welder is not functioning, and it's not clear that I will be able to fix it..


If and when I go this route, I'm thinking leaf springs from the right size of assembly might be a great option for tine steel..

R Scott wrote:That forest model looks STOUT.  Joy to use, pain to carry.

Ya, definitely; and while I love my pick-mattock, but it fucks up my hands if used for any great length, concerned this beast would do the same..