Hand tools are non-powered implements used for cutting, digging, striking, fastening, and measuring tasks. Despite advances in power equipment, hand tools remain essential on every homestead for tasks where power tools are impractical, too slow to deploy, or would damage the work. A well-selected set of quality hand tools can perform most of the work required on a homestead.
The shovel is the most versatile digging tool. Round-point shovels are used for digging and transplanting. Square-point shovels are used for moving loose material. Spades have a flat blade for edging and digging straight-sided holes. Mattocks combine an adze blade and a pick for breaking hard ground and cutting roots. Post hole diggers consist of two hinged blades for digging narrow, deep holes for fence posts. Digging bars and crowbars are used for prying and breaking rock.
Axes are used for felling, limbing, and splitting firewood. Felling axes have a narrower blade; splitting axes have a wider, wedge-shaped head. Splitting mauls are heavier than axes and are designed specifically for splitting rounds. Pruners (hand shears and loppers) are used for trimming branches. Hand saws for crosscutting include bow saws and pruning saws.
Hoes have multiple configurations for different tasks. Standard hoes are used for weed control and hilling. Collinear hoes are used for precision weeding. Warren hoes are used for cultivating between rows. Garden rakes level soil and remove debris.
Measuring and layout tools include tape measures, levels, chalk lines, squares, and marking tools.
Wheelbarrows and garden carts are used for moving soil, mulch, firewood, and harvests. Two-wheeled carts offer greater stability than single-wheeled barrows.