De Wit - Hand Made Dutch Garden Tools

The Dutch are rightly regarded as makers of the finest gardening tools. The two best are Sneeboer and De Wit. Sneeboer were founded in 1913, but De Wit dates back to 1898. The 4th generation of De Wits now run the business; one is a trained wood turner, the other trained as a blacksmith. Both Sneeboer and De Wit use traditional techniques but different materials. Sneeboer use stainless steel and de Wit use carbon steel. Carbon Steel is naturally tougher than stainless steel and is not prone to metal fatigue. De Wit burnish their steel. This not only helps to protect it for longer but gives it a patina that blackens it - just like traditional English tools from the Edwardian era.

All De Wit tools have turned hardwood handles of oiled Ash. Ash is not only very strong but resists shock better than woods like oak or beech, which is why it was traditionally used for Axe handles.