Radius Garden 17011 Root Slayer, Trowel/Holster, Original Red

This is the best hand shovel that I have ever used. I used this tool to excavate openings in the lawn for sprinkler heads and to replace sprinkler heads that needed replacement. It jagged edges on the sides easily cuts through roots and is very sturdy and easy to use. Highly recommend. This is the only hand shovel you would ever need for any small gardening task.

I was a bit reluctant to spend the few extra dollars for this, but the reviews convinced me. I'm extremely happy I bought it! It is very heavy duty and very effective. I cut into my lawn, hacked through roots and runners for both removing transplants and then replanting them in tough, root infested balsam woods between our houses. It's ergonomically designed and light, but strong enough to pry up 1/4" roots and sharp enough on the saw toothed edges to cut through 1/2" runners with a little effort. It's probably the best gardening tool I've owned.

This really works well. I live in NC where the dirt is more like hard clay than dirt. This allowed me to dig right through it. Also great for root removal. I would recommend it.

Friends, do you want to discuss what happens after one wantonly plants hay-scented fern rhizomes? Of course you don't. Hay-scented is what we call a badly behaved fern. It's good for woodlands and for naturalizing other large areas, but once these things get going in good garden soil and find their way into other perennial areas and masonry cracks, it's a zombie movie: They're unwanted, they keep coming, they're taking over and they're tough to remove.I despaired of ever uprooting them among my naturalizing daffodils without destroying the bulbs. Until now. This little murder weapon, like its big-boy cousin, has saw-like appendages on either side. No matter which hand you're using, you can slice through just about anything. Then, with the tip, you can carefully uproot what you don't want and leave alone what you do want.For older gardeners or those with ouchy hands, this tool is indispensable. It took SO much work to try to dislodge these ferns any other time I tried, even with root knives. This tool is long enough to act as a lever, which got the final part of the job done.A few tips: Always wear leather gloves when using Root Slayer tools. They're sharp and they mean business, and when you're using them you're also feeling around blindly for roots and such. Don't forget to try stabbing with it as well. That's a good time: In the case of the fibrous fern roots, it was like sticking a stake into Dracula's heart. And once I plunged the tool to the handle, I sawed left or right to get to the roots' edge. Finally, for large areas, try removing in chunks, from back to front. As you remove the plants, it will be easier to pry them out with the dead space in front -- that is, less resistance without all that soil.

Very strong with rugged teeth to cut through roots

This tool works even better than described. I have a yard with very old plants, rocks, dense packed soil and extensive roots. It made planing my fall bulbs at least three times faster. I recommend this to anyone needing a more efficient tool or if you have arm or wrist weakness and need additional help. Great tool, better than expected!

I love this tool! It is easy to use as it cuts right through smaller roots as if they aren't there. And larger roots take just a little more effort but it's sturdy and cleans easy. It keeps it's edge and is easier to use for smaller jobs than a full size standing shovel type.

Wasn’t sure about paying $30 for just another digging tool but my wife gave me better than 200+ flowers to plant. We’d recently removed quite a few bushes that had just become too overgrown. I was right in hiring a young guy to remove them for me and being 68 with stage 4 cancer he was well worth it. But the big problem still remained. Those 25 year old bushes left behind a boatload of roots big and small. But this trowel was impressive when I received it. It is extremely well made and heavy duty and the design was well thought out. If you have old loose soil that’s been turned over a thousand times you can use just about anything. But with my hard old root filled flowerbeds were a challenge. The front edge of this digger is sharp and about as sturdy as can be. It cuts through the smaller roots like they weren’t even there. Thicker roots up to about 3/8”-1/2” in diameter took a few whacks but cut right through most of them. For the largest roots I had a set of loppers that took them right off. But this trowel was the only tool I needed for 80% of the holes I had to dig. I used this trowel on several of the 12” wide and 12” deep holes as well. Yes, I have the small augers bits used on a drill and even a gas operated auger with bits up to 10”. But I find augers have a tough time dealing with roots. This tool won’t work for every application but it certainly made my life easier digging smaller holes for planting. This tool is exceptionally well made and engineered and I believe was worth more money than I even paid. Plus I’m not in that good of shape to begin with. Younger folks should also use this tool. If you have the money in these tough economic times I’d highly recommend you spend s few extra bucks and get this tool that will probably last you a lifetime. It also comes with an extremely well made holster to store it in which I would recommend you use because the trowel is sharp.

Cuts easy and deep into the soil

Good product

J'en ai un usage intensif. Cet outil est très agréable pour travailler, même si à la longue il se fatigue et se brise. C'est pourquoi j'ai dû en racheter un nouveau. Et je reprends exactement le même car je ne connais pas de meilleur outil de ce type.

Ich als Schatzsucher nutze das Teil natürlich als Grabungsmesser. Es liegt gut in der Hand und die Klinge ist sicher befestigt. Auch bei schwierigen Böden konnte ich damit manchen Schatz ans Tageslicht befördern. Schön fände ich es aber dennoch, wenn man auch das Holster gleich mit im Paket bekommen würde. Ich habe es mir extra bestellt, da es ausverkauft war. Ich konnte das Gerät auf der Schatzsucher Meisterschaft in den Niederlanden testen. Auch im Regen hatte ich damit immer einen sehr sicheren Umgang.

Excellent tool perfectly designed. Easy to hold pushes stones away and cuts through roots.