Burgon & Ball Weed Slice

Tested June 2024

The Weed Slice is similar in function to a hoe but a little different in how it works: the idea is that it skims through soil and gravel to slice off young weeds as they start to grow.

This is the long handled version and is to be used in the standing position, so weeds can be removed without having to bend or kneel. A short handled version is also available from Burgon and Ball for those who don’t mind kneeling.

The Weed Slice consists of a long, hardwood handle with a heat treated high-carbon steel head. The handle is a good thickness; it doesn't feel bulky or heavy. The compact fishtail-shaped head is only 11cm wide which means its extremely versatile; ideal for removing weeds in gravels paths, driveways and in-between plants in the borders or on the allotment.

The Weed Slice works primarily on the pull stroke; its shape allows it to dig in under weeds on the pull and slice any remaining weeds on the push. The front of the head is sharpened for cutting whereas the back isn’t as its for pulling and clearing.

I used it in a gravel area and on the allotment where it worked well. It performs best on loose surfaces where it can skim under the surface and cut through the weed roots. I did have a go in a border where the ground is heavy with quite a hard surface - it did still slice weeds at surface level but it struggled to penetrate any deeper and therefore the weed roots still remained.

Conclusion: I think this is a really handy tool for the right situations; if you have a light soil or gravel areas it’s definitely a good choice. I’d also say that it's better suited to young weeds with a small root system rather than weeds with big taproots like dock and thistle.