When do new Warrior hockey sticks typically become available. How does Warrior incorporate advanced materials in their stick design. What are the key features of Warrior’s latest hockey stick models. How do Warrior sticks compare to other top brands in the market.
The Latest Warrior Hockey Stick Innovations
Warrior Hockey has been at the forefront of hockey stick technology, consistently introducing new models that push the boundaries of performance. Their latest offerings showcase a blend of cutting-edge materials and design principles aimed at enhancing player experience on the ice.
Release Timing and Availability
When can players expect to get their hands on the newest Warrior sticks? Typically, Warrior unveils its latest hockey stick models in late summer or early fall, perfectly timed for the upcoming hockey season. This strategic release schedule allows players to acquire and adapt to new equipment before competitive play begins.
Advanced Materials in Warrior Sticks
What sets Warrior sticks apart in terms of construction? Warrior incorporates a variety of high-performance materials in their stick designs, including:
- Carbon fiber: Provides excellent strength-to-weight ratio
- Kevlar: Enhances durability and impact resistance
- Minimus Carbon: Optimizes blade pop and responsiveness
These materials are carefully selected and engineered to offer players the optimal balance of power, control, and durability.
Spotlight on Warrior’s Latest Stick Models
Warrior’s current lineup features several standout models, each designed to cater to different player preferences and styles.
Warrior Covert QRE 10
How light can a high-performance hockey stick be? The Warrior Covert QRE 10 pushes the limits with its astonishingly low weight of 401 grams (in 85 flex). This stick is now available in a limited-time silver version, offering players both performance and style.
Key features of the QRE 10 include:
- Lightest Covert stick to date
- Aggressive Edge Taper for quick shot release
- Surprisingly simple loading mechanism
Warrior Alpha DX SL
For players looking to make a statement on the ice, the Warrior Alpha DX SL stick combines performance with eye-catching design. This stick allows players to stand out while delivering top-tier performance.
Warrior QR5 Pro
How has Warrior improved upon their previous Covert models? The Warrior QR5 Pro represents a new era for the Covert line, featuring:
- R.L.C. 188 construction process for enhanced durability
- FuelCore Ultra blade for improved puck feel and shot power
- Advanced Covert taper design for quick release
Priced at $209.99, the QR5 Pro offers professional-level performance at a competitive price point.
Warrior Stick Technology Breakdown
Understanding the technology behind Warrior sticks can help players make informed decisions when selecting their equipment.
FuelCore Blade Technology
What makes Warrior’s blade technology stand out? The FuelCore blade, featured in models like the QR5 Pro, utilizes Minimus Carbon 6 to maximize pop while maintaining structural integrity. This technology allows players to generate powerful shots without sacrificing control or feel.
Edge Taper Design
How does Warrior’s taper affect shot release? The aggressive Edge Taper, a signature feature of the Covert line, is engineered to provide a devastatingly quick shot release. This design element allows for efficient energy transfer from the shaft to the blade, resulting in faster, more accurate shots.
Weight Reduction Techniques
Warrior employs various strategies to reduce stick weight without compromising strength. These include:
- Strategic use of lightweight, high-strength materials
- Optimized internal structures
- Precision manufacturing processes
The result is a range of sticks that offer exceptional handling and maneuverability on the ice.
Comparing Warrior Sticks to Competitors
While Warrior has established itself as a leading brand in hockey stick manufacturing, it’s essential to consider how their products stack up against other top manufacturers.
Warrior vs. True Hockey
How do Warrior sticks compare to True Hockey’s offerings? True Hockey, a relatively new player in the market, has gained recognition for their high-performance sticks. The True Catalyst line, for example, introduces mid-kick sticks with dampened puck feel, offering a different approach to stick design compared to Warrior’s low-kick focus in their Covert line.
Key differences include:
- Kick point placement
- Blade construction techniques
- Overall feel and responsiveness
Players may find that their personal preferences and playing style determine which brand suits them best.
Warrior in the Professional Arena
Are Warrior sticks used by professional players? Indeed, Warrior sticks have found their way into the hands of many NHL players. The brand’s commitment to innovation and performance has earned them a place among the top choices for elite athletes.
Factors contributing to Warrior’s professional adoption include:
- Consistent quality and durability
- Cutting-edge technology integration
- Ability to customize sticks for individual player needs
Choosing the Right Warrior Stick for Your Game
With a diverse range of options available, selecting the ideal Warrior stick requires careful consideration of various factors.
Assessing Your Playing Style
How can you determine which Warrior stick suits your style of play? Consider the following aspects of your game:
- Shot preference (wrist shots, slap shots, snap shots)
- Position on the ice
- Stick handling tendencies
- Physical attributes (height, weight, strength)
By analyzing these factors, you can narrow down the Warrior stick options that align with your needs.
Flex and Kick Point Considerations
What role do flex and kick point play in stick selection? Flex refers to the stick’s stiffness, while the kick point is where the stick bends during shots. Warrior offers a range of flex options and different kick point designs across their product lines.
General guidelines for flex selection:
- Lighter players or those preferring quicker releases may opt for lower flex ratings
- Heavier players or those with powerful shots might choose higher flex ratings
- Experimenting with different flex options can help fine-tune your choice
Budget and Value Assessment
How can you balance performance needs with budget constraints? Warrior offers sticks across various price points, from top-of-the-line models to more budget-friendly options. Consider the following when assessing value:
- Frequency of play and level of competition
- Longevity and durability expectations
- Must-have features vs. nice-to-have features
Remember that investing in a higher-end stick may provide better performance and durability, potentially offering better value in the long run for serious players.
Maintaining Your Warrior Hockey Stick
Proper care and maintenance of your Warrior hockey stick can significantly extend its lifespan and preserve its performance characteristics.
Storage and Transportation
How should you store and transport your Warrior stick to prevent damage? Follow these guidelines:
- Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight
- Use a padded stick bag for transportation
- Avoid leaving sticks in extreme temperatures (e.g., in a hot car)
Regular Inspection and Maintenance
What routine checks should you perform on your Warrior stick? Regularly inspect your stick for:
- Cracks or splinters in the shaft or blade
- Loose or damaged tape
- Signs of wear on the blade bottom
Address any issues promptly to prevent further damage and maintain optimal performance.
Blade Care and Retaping
How often should you retape your Warrior stick blade? The frequency of retaping depends on personal preference and usage, but consider retaping:
- Before each game for optimal grip and puck feel
- When the tape becomes worn or damaged
- If you notice a change in puck handling performance
Proper taping technique can enhance stick longevity and improve puck control.
The Future of Warrior Hockey Stick Technology
As Warrior continues to innovate, players can look forward to further advancements in hockey stick technology.
Emerging Materials and Manufacturing Processes
What new technologies might we see in future Warrior sticks? Potential areas of development include:
- Integration of nanotechnology for enhanced strength and reduced weight
- Advanced composite materials with improved energy transfer properties
- 3D-printed components for customized performance characteristics
Customization and Personalization
How might Warrior cater to individual player needs in the future? We may see:
- Increased options for custom flex profiles
- Advanced fitting processes using biomechanical analysis
- Greater integration of player feedback in the design process
These developments could lead to highly personalized sticks tailored to each player’s unique style and physical attributes.
Sustainability Initiatives
As environmental concerns become more prominent, how might Warrior adapt their stick production? Potential focuses include:
- Development of bio-based or recycled materials for stick components
- Implementation of more energy-efficient manufacturing processes
- Establishment of stick recycling or buyback programs
These initiatives could help reduce the environmental impact of hockey stick production while maintaining high performance standards.
As Warrior continues to push the boundaries of hockey stick technology, players at all levels can look forward to equipment that enhances their on-ice performance. By understanding the features and benefits of Warrior’s stick offerings, players can make informed decisions when selecting their next stick, ensuring they have the right tool to elevate their game.
See The New Warrior Hockey Sticks For The Upcoming Season – SilverSkateFestival
by Adam
New Warrior hockey sticks typically come out in the late summer or early fall, just in time for the new hockey season. This year, Warrior has a new line of sticks that are designed for different types of players. The new sticks are made with a variety of materials, including carbon fiber and Kevlar, to provide players with the most advanced stick technology. Warrior also offers a variety of grip options to help players customize their sticks for the way they play.
The Warrior Covert QRE 10 Stick is now available in a limited-time silver version and is the lightest Covert stick to date, weighing 401 grams (85 flex). The QRE 40 is made from Covert’s signature aggressive Edge Taper and is a devastatingly quick shot release with surprisingly simple loading. The Warrior Alpha DX SL Stick has been designed to let you stand out in style. The new Warrior QR5 Pro 63 Grip hockey stick represents a new era for Covert. Our new products are longer lasting than ever before due to improved durability, strength, and pop. This is the most advanced Covert stick on the market, with its R.L.C. 188 construction process, the new FuelCore Ultra blade, and more. Warrior Covert QR5 20 Grip hockey stick is priced at $209.99.
The new FuelCore Pro blade with Minimus Carbon 6 allows you to maximize your pop while remaining within your budget. The Warrior Taper is identical to that used on the top-end QR5 Pro stick. The QRT Team’s shot release is quick and easy to master. The Warrior QRE 10 Stick weighs in at a jaw-dropping 401 grams (85 flex), making it the lightest covert stick on the market. With its signature aggressive Edge Taper, Covert’s QRE 40 produces a devastatingly quick shot release that is surprisingly simple to load.
What Is The New Warrior Stick?
Photo by: artoceanic.com
The new warrior stick is a weapon that was created by the Japanese during the Edo period. It is a long stick that is used to strike an opponent.
What Is The Newest True Stick?
True Catalyst Sticks SR, INT, JR The True Catalyst 9 Stick Line introduces a whole new era of mid-kick hockey sticks with dampened puck feel in the 2021 True Catalyst Sticks SR, INT, JR. The Braided aramid Technology reduces weight in a variety of ways while maintaining a sense of durability and comfort.
The Best Hockey Sticks On The Market
For many years, hockey players have used sticks made by companies such as True Temper. Sticks that have been used to grip items have been shown to be long-lasting, perform well, and feel good. True Temper has recently established a new company called True Hockey, and the sticks they manufacture are now regarded as the best on the market. True hockey sticks are evaluated based on their performance, durability, and feel. To determine which is the best stick on the market, they are compared to other sticks. True Temper sticks come out on top, and they are well worth the money. True Temper hockey sticks are a great choice for anyone looking for the best stick.
What Is The Top Of The Line Warrior Stick?
The Covert QRL stick from Warrior’s Covert line is the flagship model, and it provides players with a low-kick point with excellent puck feel. With the Warrior Covert sticks, there is no need to reload because the Taper III technology is designed to be extremely thin and strong, making it easy to use on lightning-fast shots.
Warrior Alpha Dx Pro: A Composite Hockey Stick That Delivers
If you want a high-quality, composite hockey stick that can be easily released and accurate, the Warrior Alpha DX Pro is the ideal stick. With the Sabre Taper, it is possible to hit the ball with a faster and more accurate shot from anywhere in the offensive zone, thanks to the mid kick-point found throughout the Alpha line. Because this stick is height-adjustable, it is the ideal fit for your game because it is 51 inches tall.
How Often Do Hockey Players Get New Sticks?
Photo by: eastendfieldhockey. com
The average number of new cards used per game is one, not every game; in fact, a few in one game may result in many new cards over the course of a year, so it may be 80. In general, one new stick is used for each game in the league; three sticks will be used in a single game.
NHL players typically receive new skates every ten matches, and they typically keep their old skates for practice. Some hockey players wear their skates for six months or longer in order to keep the feel of the new skate. How long does it take a skate to reach its maximum speed? In doing so, we must consider how frequently you use it, as well as the brand it is associated with. In the NHL, players do not pay for their own skates or sticks, but their teams do. The Bauer Hockey Vapor 2X Pro Ice Skate is the most common ice hockey skate in the market. If Ryan O’Reilly is on the field, he wears his skates until the game is over.
When it comes to hockey sticks, durability is everything. Because the gloves are extremely wet, they are frequently changed twice a period. Carbon sticks can be broken in a week or in a year with the most durable ones. The frequency of a hockey stick’s play and the level of play are two major factors that are frequently cited as having an impact on its lifespan. In addition, you may need to replace a stick if it is not broken, and it may have lost its stiffness and pop.
Why You Need To Replace Your Hockey Stick More Than Your Ca
Keeping your hockey stick in good condition is critical if you want to play well. If you play on a regular basis or multiple seasons, you will need to replace your stick more frequently. In the same way that you calculate how many miles per gallon you drive, you can figure out how frequently you need to replace your stick. To calculate the number of miles your car uses per gallon, you’d divide the total number of hours you spent playing by the amount of time you spent playing. If you play for three hours and your car uses three miles per gallon, you will need to replace your stick every 120 hours. If you play for two hours while driving a car that consumes 5 miles per gallon, you should replace your stick every 60 hours.
Each hockey player must use approximately 5,400 sticks in a season, which equates to 61 sticks per game. There are 26 sticks assigned to each active player per game. When your stick becomes worn out, falls off, or is ripped, you must retake the tape.
Best Warrior Hockey Sticks
There is no one definitive answer to this question as everyone has different preferences when it comes to hockey sticks. However, some of the best warrior hockey sticks on the market include the Vapor 1X, the AX1, and the Covert QRE. These sticks are all designed with different player types in mind, so it is important to choose the one that best suits your needs. If you are looking for a top-of-the-line stick, the Vapor 1X is a great option. It is made with high-quality materials and is designed to provide excellent performance. For a more budget-friendly option, the AX1 is a great choice. It is made with durable materials and provides good performance at a fraction of the cost.
Please feel free to browse our website to learn more about our top-rated Warrior hockey sticks. Let’s get right to it: please read a brief comparison of each hockey stick before determining which one is right for you. Warrior boots have a soft foam layer on the inside of the heel, as well as a thicker foam layer on the inside of the blade, in addition to the heel foam. Furthermore, a carbon fiber Eunice bar stringer is bolted from the beginning to the end to provide that fundamental strength and bench strength. The blade’s carbon fiber reinforcement is made up of one strip, which is one strip through the entire blade. Furthermore, it has a very lightweight feel and is well-balanced. Furthermore, the Covert DT1 has straight sidewalls with rounded corners that give the player a classic look.
The shaft’s diamond print provides a comfortable feel and excellent grip, as well as a good feel for the shaft. The fibers keep running continuously throughout the blade, as seen by the fibers running all the way through. They used the lightest core they have ever used, and it has 60% more compression resistance than the previous lightest core.
The Warrior Covert QRE 10 Stick is the most affordable stick on the market and ideal for players who want to lose weight while still playing with a stick that is lighter in weight. Warrior is the only major company to produce hockey sticks outside of China, with 22 percent of the league’s sticks made in Tijuana, Mexico. Smaller players looking to develop their agility and speed will benefit from the Warrior Covert QRE 10 Stick, which is very light and designed to help them perform at their best. This stick has a flex of 85 in order to help smaller players improve their agility and speed; it is ideal for players who want a stick that is lightweight and portable.
New Warrior Dx Pro Team Stick Senior
Hockey/Sticks
Sold by @PiasDedham
Feedback 99. 1% (2,201)
$119.99USD
or 4 interest-free
payments of $30.00 with
Estimated Delivery Thu 6/15 – Mon 6/19
Shop Safely with SidelineSwap Buyer Protection
Have One to Sell?
Specifications
Category | Hockey > Sticks |
Brand | Warrior |
Condition | New |
Pattern | Unknown |
Flex | Unknown / Other |
Hand | Unknown |
Age Group | Senior |
Quantity Available | 24 Available |
Description
Sticks Senior One Piece Sticks
Buy and sell with athletes everywhere.
Join more than 1 million athletes buying and selling on SidelineSwap. Save up to 70% on quality new and used gear, sold by athletes just like you.
Shop safely with our buyer guarantee.
Every purchase is protected by our buyer guarantee. If you don’t receive your item as advertised, we’ll provide a full refund.
Quick shipping and tracking.
Most orders ship via USPS Priority Mail (1-3 business days once the item is shipped by the seller). We provide sellers with a prepaid shipping label, and buyers receive tracking notifications until the item arrives at your doorstep.
Save money. Save the planet.
When you save big on high-quality used gear, you’re also keeping more gear on the field and out of a landfill.
Our community is built on trust.
Sellers receive feedback on every transaction, so you can feel confident before you purchase. Easily message the seller with questions about your item at any time.
99.1% Positive Feedback (2,201)
Verified With
Unverified emailNot verified with Facebook
Shop our most popular Sticks
See More
137 Related listings in Sticks
sportsguy1
Warrior Covert QRE Pro Team Senior Grip Hockey Stick – Various Flexes & Patterns
$190
PIAS11771
New Warrior Qre Pro Team 85 L
$150
PIAS11771
New Warrior Qre Pro Team 100 R
$150
PIAS11771
New Warrior Qre Pro Team 100 L
$150
PIAS11771
New Warrior Qre Pro Team 75 L
$150
PiasDedham
New Warrior Ek65 Stick Senior – Call For Closeout Availability!
$150
sportsguy1
Warrior Covert QRE5 Grip Senior Ice Hockey Stick (New)
$100
PiasDedham
New Warrior Evo Senior Stick – Call For Closeout Availability!
$75
PiasDedham
New Ccm Jetspeed Senior Ft Team Stick 70 Flex P90 Lh
$180
PiasDedham
New Ccm Jetspeed Senior Ft Team Stick 85 Flex P88 Lh
$180
PiasDedham
New Ccm Jetspeed Senior Ft Team Stick 75 Flex P88 Lh
$180
PiasDedham
New Ccm Jetspeed Senior Ft Team Stick 95 Flex P29 Lh
$180
Top Brands in Hockey Gear & Equipment
Bauer Hockey SticksCCM Hockey SticksWarrior Hockey SticksEaston Hockey SticksBauer Hockey SkatesCCM Hockey SkatesBauer Goalie PadsVaughn Goalie PadsCCM Goalie PadsTrue Hockey Skates
Top Searches in the Hockey Fan Shop
New York Rangers JerseysWashington Capitals JerseysVegas Golden Knights JerseysMontreal Canadiens JerseysToronto Maple Leafs HatsPittsburgh Penguins Pro StockLondon Knights Jerseys & ApparelDetroit Red Wings Pro StockSt. Louis Blues Pro StockColorado Avalanche JerseysDallas Stars Pro StockChicago Blackhawks Pro StockAnaheim Ducks JerseysEdmonton Oilers Pro StockEdmonton Oil Kings Jerseys & ApparelNew Jersey Devils ShirtsTampa Bay Lightning JerseysGrand Rapids Griffins Jerseys & ApparelNew York Islanders JerseysHershey Bears Jerseys & Apparel
History of the police baton
“Special rubber stick” or PR-Tonfa is the simplest, most effective and ancient device used by the police. Rules of Life tells how Russian teaching staff are connected with Japanese samurai.
Tags:
police
story
The tradition of exorcising disobedience with a club appeared at the dawn of human society. There is nothing easier than to take and beat an opponent with a stick or a heavier bone: even chimpanzees can use such tricks. Analogues of batons were invented repeatedly by carriers of different cultures and in various eras. New Zealand Maori sorted things out with the help of jade measures, ancient Russian princes from chronicles and epic heroes – with the help of clubs, Irish gentlemen with thick canes made of blackthorn – shillels.
But the current look of the police baton was most strongly influenced by the Japanese, who since the Middle Ages had a whole set of batons for all occasions: bokken, kanabo, konsaibo, neibo and jutte – weapons known since the 17th century. For example, a jutte looked like a short piece of reinforcement with a handle and a rectangular hook and quickly helped to subdue criminals without shedding blood, block sword strikes (often the sword simply broke from a blade strike on a metal rod), and the hook caught the enemy by the clothes.
The pioneer of police self-defense, the son of Japanese immigrants, Robert Koga, born in 1930 in San Francisco, already experienced all the hardships of life as a teenager. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the American government feared a massive offensive on the west coast. For far-fetched reasons, such as preventing data transmission to enemy ships, Japanese emigrants in California were detained and sent to concentration camps. 12-year-old Bob, along with his parents and 120 thousand other Japanese, ended up in an internment camp. The atmosphere in the backwoods barracks of Utah was hostile compared to the serene East Bay towns: the teenager had to learn to stand up for himself. To fight off local camp gangs, Koga began to master judo.
After the war, the family returned to a modest civilian life and settled in Chicago, where Bob continued to practice judo already in the high school gym. In 1949, he joined the US Air Force and was seconded to a military base in Japan, then went to the Korean War and was wounded. He returned to the Koga States in 1953 as an experienced and respected soldier, and in 1955 joined the LAPD, becoming one of the first Asian Americans to be commissioned as an officer.
Bob Cog’s appearance, charisma and ability to disable any dangerous villain without the use of weapons immediately opened the door to the vice department for him. Soon, the Californian samurai realized that his colleagues did not have the proper self-defense skills – the three of them could not drag the big man into the car, did not disdain to use brass knuckles and just grabbed the colts.
Gradually, he began to formulate ideas that would later become the basis of the new Koga system – Koga-jutsu. Since 1961, Robert Koga began to teach self-defense at the Los Angeles Police Academy. In addition to adapting techniques from judo, jiu-jitsu and freestyle wrestling to real conditions, Koga introduced a smooth wooden stick into the fighting technique, called the “Koga club”. A new baton, according to Kog’s idea, was needed to equalize strength and repel an attack (including stab blows). His baton handling technique included blows and pokes, blocks, knockdown techniques, and Koga taught to beat mainly on the arms and legs, completely excluding blows to the neck and head. This allowed the policeman to keep the enemy at a safe distance and arrest him without causing serious injury. The new weapon gradually replaced the “billy club” bits, created back in 1829, from circulation.year in the UK as part of the program of the founder of the Conservative Party, Robert Peel. In the 1970s, Koga Sensei founded an entire institute for self-defense, and Koga jutsu eventually became the basis for many modern police fighting techniques.
True, the Koga baton was soon replaced by a new one, with a double handle. Its analogue dangles on the belt of Russian teaching staff. In all its appearance, the new stick resembles a tonfa, a traditional wooden weapon of warriors from the island of Okinawa who practiced the martial art of kobudo. As a result of the ban on carrying weapons, the islanders used any household items. For example, nunchucks are a tool for threshing rice. And in this T-shaped club one can guess the silhouette of a lever from a millstone, grinding rice into flour. Okinawan peasants fought with two tonfas: one hand squeezed the side handle so that the stick lay along the elbow – a kind of shield was obtained that even repelled sword blows, and with the other hand it was possible to strike.
New Hampshire police officer Lon Anderson may not have known about Okinawan weapons in 1971, or may have been secretly obsessed with them, but he officially called the prototype of his invention a piece of a chair leg with a piece of crossbar, which he once used in street fight as a teenager. After three years working with Paul Starrett of the local arms company Monadnock Corporation, in 1974 he revealed to the world the first model of the Prosecutor PR-24 (protect & restrain – “protection and containment”, 24 – length in inches). The new baton was adopted in his native New Hampshire, then in Los Angeles, and then in other states. Thanks to the films of Bruce Lee, the era of the martial arts craze began in America, and the exotic baton, which exuded the spirit of karate and kung fu, quickly gained popularity.
Today, the police t-shaped baton has almost completely replaced its counterparts in police units in all countries of the world, including in the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs. With proper training, a tonfa is many times more effective than a club-stick. But the design and material for the manufacture of PR-24 has changed countless times: the first plastic composition deformed in the sun, so the material was improved; new metal parts on the handle appeared and disappeared, later folding tonfas were invented, which, with a sharp swing, almost doubled in length. But the essence remained unchanged.
In most countries, police officers mainly use polycarbonate batons, but in Russia they have not taken root – rubber ones are more often used here – for example, “PR-Tonfa” and “PR-Taran”, (except for Siberia and those areas where rubber is made of – due to frost, it can simply crack from impact). It turns out that Russian batons are the softest in the world.
Eternal life of a digging stick
With the beginning of the gardening season, building beds, I always remember the school course in the history of the Ancient World. Practically the first thing that fifth-graders learn about when studying the life of primitive people is their tools, among which a digging stick occupies an honorable place. Has it really changed that much in tens of thousands of years?
The same age as humanity
It is not known exactly when our distant ancestor first made a device that facilitated the process of digging the earth, but the oldest digging stick was discovered during the excavation of a Stone Age site in Italian Tuscany. The stick is made of the densest and hardest wood in Europe – boxwood, and scientists estimated its age at about 170,000 years. That is, the tool was not even made by Homo sapiens, but by the Neanderthals who inhabited Europe at that time, and later extinct.
Let me remind you: a digging stick is a branch pointed at one end, a bone or an oblong stone, which can be used to loosen and dig up the soil. Before the advent of agriculture, it was still very far away, and the stick was used exclusively for gathering: with its help they dug up edible roots, tubers, and insect larvae. Millennia have passed, but this tool has not changed: the freshest of them, found during excavations of the Shiginsky peat bog in the territory of the modern Sverdlovsk region, is about six thousand years old. By the way, the digging stick is still used by the inhabitants of South Sudan, the Amazon, Papua New Guinea, and the natives of Australia.
However, 10 – 12 thousand years ago, people realized that plant food can not only be found, but also grown by themselves. It was then that the digging stick for agricultural work was not enough, and she gave “offspring”. Archaeologists say that it was this ancient tool after the birth of agriculture that became the progenitor of the shovel, hoe and rake.
In the beginning there was a hoe
The very first agricultural tool was not a shovel, but a hoe. She played such an important role in the cultivation of the land that scientists call the earliest form of agriculture hoeing. Among the finds of archaeologists came across a digging stick with a transverse knot – it, apparently, served as a prototype of a hoe. Later, animal bones, shells, then stones began to be attached to the stick, and in the last modification it became iron with a wooden handle and since then it has practically not changed to the present day.
It is curious that the hoe in those ancient times, despite the inaccessibility of long-distance travel, was a worldwide tool. Scenes depicting peasants with tools resembling a modern chopper can be found in Egyptian pyramids and ancient frescoes, Japanese engravings and medieval manuscripts. Many peoples even considered the hoe a gift from the gods. She is even depicted on the emblems of Angola, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zimbabwe.
And today’s chopper, used by gardeners to kill weeds, is not much different from the “divine” tool of our ancestors.
As for the other branch of the evolution of the digging stick, the spade, it appeared at about the same time as the hoe. However, all the ancient shovels found by archaeologists do not allow us to determine whether they were used in agriculture or had another purpose. After all, a shovel is a tool of much broader specialization, it can be used in construction, cleaning, mining, etc. It is known that the ancient Romans used shovels when they built roads for their army throughout Europe.
At first there was a shovel completely wooden, then iron or with an iron edging appeared, and it was used, like a hoe, all over the world. In ancient Rus’, it was called a “spade”, or “blade”. Shovels were divided into yard shovels – for raking garbage or snow; shuffle (grain) – for grain in barns and rigs; oven – for baking bread. In Europe, coal and fireplace stoves were still in use. And already in the 19th century, a sapper shovel was invented for infantry soldiers; during the First World War, it also began to be used as a cold weapon.
The rake is also considered a modification of the digging stick. Probably, the person realized that the work of loosening the earth would go faster if several pointed sticks were connected with a common handle. The first traces of raking work date back to the third millennium BC. The evolution is the same as for other tools: at first they were stones and bones attached to a stick; then a completely wooden rake; and finally, an iron tool with a wooden handle.
No limit to perfection
Today, all these instruments, which have not fundamentally changed over the past several millennia, have many modifications. For example, there are hay rakes, for loosening, fan and highly specialized ones – for example, for caring for a Japanese rock garden. Shovels, according to GOSTs, are divided into construction, horticultural and handling.
But where are they, those GOSTs? Alas, many gardeners with great experience testify: in terms of quality, modern “digging sticks” are not even close to those that were made during the Soviet era. And this is not at all an old man’s grumbling from the category “Before, the girls were younger, and the grass is greener.” Soviet gardening tools have been preserved in many families, there is an opportunity to compare.
You don’t have to look far for an example: among my family’s garden tools there are shovels, pitchforks, and rakes made in the 1970s. My grandmother bought them, for the first time she received six acres for a garden near the village of Milovka near Ufa.
Then the instrument was inherited by my parents and moved to our country house. The only thing that is subject to wear in them is wooden cuttings. But the wooden shovel, bought by my father at the beginning of the new millennium, simply bent, unable to withstand even a few encounters with the soil. There is, of course, now a tool worthy in terms of convenience and durability – for example, made of titanium. Yes, only such a set as a small cultivator will cost.
By the way, the fashion for the Soviet instrument does not end – any Internet flea market will certainly have a section “Made in the USSR”, where they sell “strong, old, Soviet rakes”, “a chopper with a quality mark” and even “an eternal shovel from our happy childhood.”
To this day, inventors have no rest: they tirelessly come up with new versions of the eternal digging stick. A flat cutter, a root remover, a planter, a hiller, a garden knife for a finger and gloves with claws, a scoop glass and a hand cultivator with grips – what you will not find in the garden tools department! Most of all got from the inquisitive minds of an ordinary shovel. For example, such a unit as the “miracle shovel” Digger “, similar to a hybrid of a pitchfork and a back from a metal bed, has been patented. Another contraption is called the “Archimedean shovel” – the bayonet in it is located perpendicular to the handle.
They also say that the main engine of progress is human laziness. That it is generally harmful to dig the earth, they came up with it back in the 19th century, but they actively began to put it into practice in personal gardens only in our time. This business is called natural, or natural farming. Shovels, pitchforks and rakes are canceled, seeds are embedded in the ground by the so-called direct sowing method – right into the remains of last year’s plantings. By the way, in Ufa there is even a natural farming club that publishes its own online magazine. True, I have so far met adepts only for beginners: those who admire ideas and will definitely try it soon.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT GARDEN TOOL?
Advice from agronomist Lyudmila Kalinina
– The main selection criterion is the feeling of the future owner of garden tools: you need to take a shovel or rake in your hands, evaluate the weight, convenience and quality.
– Make sure that the tool handles are comfortable, of the correct length and thickness. The cuttings of tools made of dense, high-quality processed wood practically do not break, they do not cause splinters on the hands.