My old trowel snapped in half during a dig last Tuesday

I was working on a site near Tucson, carefully scraping away soil from what looked like a pottery shard. The blade just gave way with a loud crack, right at the handle. I had to finish the day using my backup, a little folding hand shovel that was way too big for the fine work. Has anyone else had a favorite tool fail at the worst possible time?

3 comments

3 Comments

loganthompson2mo ago

My old tape measure's blade snapped back inside the case last month. It was a cheap one from years ago, but the timing was awful during a big project. I've been using a metal ruler since, and it's just not the same.

price.zara2mo ago

What brand was it? I've had that happen before and it's the worst. Time for a new tape.

ellis.nina2mo ago

It's that sickening sound you never want to hear on site. A tool failing mid-task throws off your whole rhythm. You end up fighting with a clumsy backup instead of focusing on the work. There's a real trust built up with a tool that fits your hand just right. Losing that feels like starting over, even with a brand new replacement.