There's a tool for almost every garden job. Here's a look at some of the most common and how to best use them. The hand-forged tool is good for cultivating, furrowing, digging small holes. Good for aerating, loosening soil without disturbing soil layers.
Some people claim success using the digger to penetrate compacted soil.
Similar to a cultivator but has longer tines. Some edgers, like the one pictured, let you use your own body weight to help cut a clean edge. Shovel makers have grades of shovel quality. Often a shovel fails where the wood enters the socket or at the junction between the shaft and handgrip. Check for reinforcements in those joints and for a label that tells you what kind of soil the shovel is good for.