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Ergonomic Review of the Radius Garden Trowel
A Complete Ergonomic Review of the NRG Radius Garden Trowel

About.com Rating 5

By Chris Adams, About.com

Radius Garden Trowel

Radius Garden Trowel

2004 - 2006, Radius Garden, LLC.
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The Radius Garden Trowel from NRG is a fantastic ergonomic tool. The curved handle design common the NRG's line of Radius hand tools allows you to keep a natural wrist position. This provides more comfort and strength while using the tools as well as a greater transfer of energy from you to the soil through the tool. It is a pleasure to use this trowel.

Why is it Different?

The Radius Garden Trowel throws a curve into the ergonomic design of a handle. It is also made out of a cast aluminum/magnesium alloy that has similar tensile properties to steel but is feather light. Other well thought out design elements round out the trowel to make it a versatile tool.

In theory the form factor of the handle allows you to use a natural wrist position while working with in the dirt. Product literature also states that the handle shape provides a greater transfer of the energy from your hand and arm to the tool.

Does it Deliver?

The Radius Garden Trowel delivers everything it promises, and then some. The curved handle greatly improves the ergonomics and body mechanics of digging with a hand trowel. It reduces fatigue and improves hand posture.

The trowel made it through my usability test with ease. It dug through compacted, root-ridden, raised container soil and red clay with efficiency. At the end my wrist was in good shape and the aluminum/magnesium blade did not have a ding on it.

The short, stubby blade keeps the load on the trowel manageable. It also gives you more power to punch the blade into the ground. The matte finish of the aluminum/magnesium blade does not reflect the bright sum in a glaring way. No more temporary blindness if you catch the blade at the wrong angle.

The comfort grip on the handle is pleasing as well. Not to mention the neon green color sows up nicely when thrown in the grass. Unless you have a radioactive lawn, that is.

Beneficiaries

Anyone who plays in the dirt can benefit from the Radius Garden Trowel. Those who have weak wrist or suffer from a repetitive stress injury of the wrist or arthritis will find they are not as limited in their gardening. Some groups that are affected are:

  • Gardeners
  • Landscapers
  • Nursery Workers
  • Farmers
  • Professional Sandcastle Builders

Summary

This tool is top notch. It is a quality made product and an intelligent design. It should provide years of comfortable and efficient use.

For more information on the ergonomics of the Radius Garden Trowel read page 2: The Ergonomic Breakdown of the Radius Garden Trowel.

To see how you use the Radius Garden Trowel read:

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