08-09-07
Fiskars Post Hole Digger
To bury posts you want straight narrow holes in the ground. Traditional post hole diggers tend to flare the hole at the top as the hole deepens because the handles must swing out further. This clever improved design from Fiskars crosses the handles so they don't swing out as far in the hole, yet they still bite as the hole gets deeper. The narrower the hole, the less dirt to remove, the less work. I found I could get a tight cylindrical hole almost one foot deeper with this tool. Also, this design prevents that dreaded knuckle-banger when the handles crash into each other on the closing stroke, which alone makes it worth using.
-- KK
Fiskars Post Hole Digger
$60
Available from Amazon
Manufactured by Fiskars
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Jim
I've dug countless post holes, and I strongly prefer the human powered auger-type to these clamshell post hole diggers. They're not as easy to come by, but they're definitely available from 4" to at least 8'. I went 25 feet deep with one by adding 5 foot sections of pipe. Hand augers drill a clean, straight hole with much more comfortable arm movements than clamshell style diggers.
Vern Wall
I second the comment from Jim. I would put it more strongly: the clamshell design is just no d*m good! Any welder could build an auger from 1"pipe and 1/8" sheet steel in less than an hour and it would be a vastly better tool than the clamshell digger. I used an auger when I was 4 years old. I had to stand on a box to reach the handle. Still I was able to dig a 4' hole in a few minutes without getting tired. But I haven't been able to find such a tool except for a couple of antiques on Ebay. If you google Iwan Bros you can find a few examples.
Fred Elliott
I think an Auger has it place if you want to dig a straight round hole in soft material. However, if you want to dig a larger hole through rocky soil or shale it is hard to beat the clamshell post hole digger. I need to dig a five foot hole probably 12" in diameter for a 30 ft telephone pole. I'll probably be using both an auger if the soil is soft enough and then a jabber to make the hole large enough for the telephone pole. I've dug lots of holes that an auger wouldn't touch. Sorry guys, there is a place for both.
Petah
Fred's got it right, and the right place for both is side by side. Take your tweezer type apart and use one half (only) as a "jabber' when your auger hits a rock or root. Iwan Brothers really had something back then.