kuokka

Kuokka is a traditional hand tool used in Finland and other Nordic countries for garden and field cultivation. It consists of a wooden handle, typically around 50 to 70 cm long, connected to a broad metal blade. The blade is usually oriented so that it can be used to pry, chop, and pull soil, making it versatile for breaking up earth, weeding, and root removal. There are variations in blade shape and size, with designs ranging from rectangular to slightly curved forms to suit different tasks.

Use of the kuokka includes preparing seedbeds, loosening and turning soil, removing weeds, and creating furrows. It is commonly employed in small-scale gardening as well as in traditional farming practices, valued for its simplicity, durability, and ability to perform both digging and cutting actions with a single tool. The kuokka is typically operated by hand, using a combination of chopping and scraping motions.

Historically, the kuokka has been a staple on Finnish farms and in rural households. It appears in traditional farming equipment and remains in use in home gardens, where it is appreciated for its effectiveness in managed plots and rough terrain alike. In English, the term kuokka is often translated as hoe or grub hoe, though the Finnish tool may differ in blade geometry from some other regional hoes.

Manufacture and materials have evolved from traditional forged steel blades with wooden handles to modern versions that may use tempered steel and composite or fiber-reinforced handles. Despite modernization, the kuokka continues to be understood as a practical, time-honored tool tied to manual cultivation.