Tools of the Trade: Copper Garden Tools from Grafa

Melbourne‑based Grafa’s copper tools—hand hoe, scoop, fork, bulb planter, trowel, tube trowel—are becoming staples at Chelsea Flower Show and favorite garden shops.

The Story

Founder Travis Blandford prototyped with recycled copper plumbing to avoid expensive machinery. Single‑piece copper tube tools came first; timber‑handled range followed as processes refined.

Forca Garden Fork. Bronze head, copper ring, wooden handle; $89 AU (Grafa), £34.50 UK (The Garden Edit), $63.75 US (Rodale’s, 25% off).

Collection includes all‑metal tube trowel and hardwood‑handled copper tools.

Copper Hand Hoe. £37.50 (The Garden Edit); $60 US (Rodale’s, on sale).

Snail‑repelling Copper Coil (“Snoil”). Coming 2016.

UK prices: Hand Hoe £37.50, Reclaim Trowel £37.50 (The Garden Edit).

Founders Harriet Devlin (interior design) and Travis Blandford in their Melbourne garden.

Shop favorites: The Garden Edit, Garden Apothecary (Half Moon Bay, CA), Garden Objects (New Zealand).