These garden tools have been four years in the making! After years of designing, testing, refining (and repeating that process many times), we’re thrilled to finally release them into the world and into your gardens. We wanted to share the story behind them, because like all good things that come from the forge, these tools have roots in collaboration, creativity, and community.

A Group Effort 

One of the best parts of running a creative business is getting to make new and exciting things to share with customers and friends. In the early days of Wicks Forge, that process was mostly a solo effort. But as the Wicks Forge family has grown, so has our shared creativity—shaped by the perspectives of new team members, incredible collaborations, and thoughtful feedback from our customers.

Working together has opened the door to design directions I never could have imagined—or pulled off—on my own. Wicks Forge has become a community of makers, and these new garden tools are a testament to that collaborative spirit. Here’s where it all came from:

The Weeder's origin 

My college friend Lauren has been a professional landscaper for over a decade. When I first started exploring ideas for a new line of garden tools, I asked her what her favorite and most versatile tool was. She sent me a photo of a rusty old scraper that had logged hundreds of hours of use. That well-worn, nameless tool became the seed that grew into the Wicks Weeder—our ultimate tool for digging, slicing, and reclaiming unruly garden beds.

The Foxhead Spade by Ivy and Marshall

Ivy has been part of the Wicks team for a few years now, keeping things running smoothly with finishing, shipping, and production organization. She’s also a big-time gardener and artist in her own right. Based on years of working with spade tools—and her deep appreciation for foxes—she designed our unique spade profile, inspired by the shape and sly spirit of those clever little diggers.

Marshall brought Ivy’s vision to life by creating the tooling and processes needed to turn her design into a repeatable product. We shape each spade on a fly press from the early 1900s to keep that old-school, forged-by-hand feeling alive.

The Claw Tool by Jonah

Jonah comes from a family of gardeners and growers in Maine and took the claw tool from concept to creation with a real insight into tools that last based on these experiences. Function is the name of the game with these claws, and they are meant to claw and claw and claw until no clump of soil remains unturned. Watch out, compacted earth: your days are numbered.

Growing Collaborations 

Our creative spark hasn’t just grown internally. Over the years, we’ve been lucky to connect with like-minded makers and craftspeople outside of the forge—leading to some incredible partnerships and new directions we’re proud to keep growing.

The Long Handle by New Collar Goods

Each long wooden handle is designed and handmade by our friends at New Collar Goods—a small, passionate team led by Jon and Deana Ketchum. Founded in 2015 out of their garage in Denver, New Collar began with a simple mission: to build intentional, long-lasting furniture they’d want in their own home. In 2021, they relocated to Upstate New York and began restoring an 1800s shirt factory, where they now craft fine home goods while breathing new life into the space.

The handles they created for our tools are made from Ash and finished with raw linseed oil to highlight the natural grain—so no two are quite the same. It’s like wielding a beautiful little shovel sword, infused with craftsmanship, care, and a story of its own.

The Black Handle by Dawn Kessel

Each tool in this line is fitted with a sleek black handle, handcrafted by our friend and talented woodworker, Dawn Kessel, based in Plymouth, Maine. Dawn’s work brings a refined, modern edge to the rugged durability of the forged steel—striking the perfect balance between form and function. Her attention to detail and craftsmanship add a beautiful finishing touch that makes these tools feel just as good in your hand as they look hanging in your shed.

Stronger Together

These garden tools represent more than just utility—they're a celebration of the people, stories, and values that shape everything we do at Wicks Forge. From the blacksmithing process to the wooden handles, each element was thoughtfully crafted by friends and collaborators who brought their own skills, experiences, and perspectives to the table.

We’re proud to share tools that not only work hard but carry the spirit of the hands that made them. Whether you’re digging in your backyard, tending to a community plot, or just starting your gardening journey, we hope these tools become trusted companions—and that they inspire you, as they’ve inspired us, to grow something beautiful.

Shop the collection here.