Travis Blandford, an avid gardener, was interested in claims that copper tools could benefit soil and by chance, also had access to discarded copper from local building sites around Melbourne. Out of curiosity, in 2011, he started making copper gardening tools for himself. Experiments in the 1940s showed that microscopic flakes of copper improved the soils mineral balance and increased plants nutrient uptake, while rust from iron tools hindered crop growth.

Over a couple of years, that first piece led to a small range of hand tools — trowels, forks, scoops — all handmade individually rather than in batches. The forms are straightforward, with copper or bronze heads paired with hardwood handles. The copper is soft enough to shape into smooth curves but durable enough to hold up in regular use, and it gradually develops a patina the more it’s handled. They are designed for lighter digging and planting – gardening – rather than heavy landscape work but they are more than just a basic tool. They are also beautiful and tactile objects. Much of the material used is reclaimed, so pieces are not identical and small marks and variations are part of the package.

You end up with a set of tools that feels personal rather than something bought off the shelf from a DIY store, tools intended to be used often and kept over time.

All images: © Grafa