This is the strongest gold-standard American Hoe around. We make our tools out of 1075 cutlery grade steel, the same stuff used to make quality axes and machetes. Ground to be VERY sharp. The shank is hand forged from 3/8" round. Precision TIG welded to the blade. It will not bend or break and we guarantee it for life. The handle is 60" long American Ash with a 1/8" steel ferrule attached while still hot by quenching which shrinks the metal onto the handle. This tool isn't going to twist or fall out. Most of the big box store tools are made from mild steel designed to be a toaster or car fender. Other high-end tools are made of old agricultural disk blades which were good tool steel at one time, before they spent a million miles behind a tractor breaking ground and creating stress fractures. We use new material from the United States, which is the only way to ensure quality.