A few days ago my wife came home with the Fiskars Softouch Trowel. She was excited because it has a very comfortable handle, was shiny and new and cost her just $4.99. We have a few other Fiskars products, loppers, hedge shears and such. The product name has been good to us over the years.

Much of my family was over when she walked in and I picked up a few groans when I said, "Let me see it, I want to check if it is in the Epinions database. If it is I will write a review now." In keeping my sanity, or perhaps having them not have ol' pops committed, I stopped in my tracks.

I did however give the new trowel a few digs and checked out how it "flips" in my hand. I used to juggle knives so that flippin' thing is a habit.

The next day I tried it out a bit getting a feel of the ergonomic handle. The image shown above, unfortunately, does not show that shape. It did feel good. It has a nice cushion to it and has a slight curve that gives a more natural feel in the hand. Though I cannot tell you what kind of long term use one may expect from this tool, the polished aluminum blade looks great. Its shape, much like most slimmer trowels used for garden work, isn't anything special in itself but being accompanied with that special handle, it may give more digging leverage, keeping the hand from getting fatigued and uncomfortable.

Looking at the handle and blade, there did not seem to be any weak points.

I happened to check the database in the Home and Garden section of Epinions.com later that next day and sure enough, with a little diggin', I found it.

I started writing the review and, as I do with many new products I am reviewing, I checked out the packaging information. In this case it was a simple piece of cardboard attached to the handle and printed with the Fiskars colours and logo. It endorses its two main features, comfortable "softouch: handle and polished aluminum head.

A mention about the tool being made in China simply re-enforces the letters C H I N A stamped into the metal stating this is an imported item. The cord that attaches the label to the trowel is made of a nylon material that stays with the tool. It's threaded through a hole in the handle's end, made for convenient hanging.

I read a bit more on the label before pulling it off the hanging cord.

Wait!! What's That? CANCER?

I read a bit more info printed on the tag. I was a bit taken back. It stated.

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 WARNING
Warning: This product contains chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer, birth defects, and/or reproductive harm.

Hey, is this some kind of wacko environmentalist over dramatization! Is this a real threat? I dunno but, do I take a chance?

Fortunately the warning is printed in English and Spanish so the many farm workers, masons home gardeners and hobbyist in California and the rest of this nation can understand that bit of information.

Mmmm, you know what? I really don't understand it anyways. What part of the tool has these chemicals? If it is true, why can it be sold and why are we using it?

Is this chemical something that is transferable? If I dig up carrots or potatoes with this trowel and handle them, am I passing some chemical into the food chain that may be harmful to my family?

I gotta ask, "How can I recommend a product that carries such a warning?"

When I mentioned this warning to my wife, she was not a happy camper. She said she will be returning it tomorrow.

The review is an entry into the Kingfish Presents The First-Ever "Let's Go Database Diving" Write-Off


Once again I went diggin' instead of diving. In the last review I was looking to bury my mother with a post hole digger. This last product reviewed may bury me.





No chemical warnings on these.

Fiskars PowerGear Anvil Lopper 7972
Fiskars Power Lever Hedge Shear 9178










Recommended: No