The Niwaki Hand Hoe is a great Japanese tool for digging, weeding and planting.

Whilst a traditional large garden spade is perfect for turning over a veg patch before planting or creating a new border, I've always found them awkward to use around existing plants.

This Niwaki hoe is designed to be used with a chopping motion, like an axe.  Or think of it as a type of lightweight matock or adze.  This makes it great for working within existing borders or for more precision weeding.

It's a little over 40cm long which means you have enough handle length to give it a good chop without it becoming difficult to wield.  It only weighs 390grams.

It's construction is fairly rustic and agricultural - but as a result it should hold up well to general garden use.