Black ADA started life as a single trowel affectionately called ‘number one’. Today it stands as a fine example that things can be built to last. In today’s thow away society, this is a quality we are seeing less and less.

Number one was beaten out by hand in a workshop in the UK by founder and trained toolmaker Archie Cole. Often referred to as ‘The Black ADA, Archie has always believed in making things that last.

A keen metal detectorist, Archie was tired of buying trowels from garden centres and seeing them disintegrate whilst out on the fields. Finally, after several purchases, he decided to make his own which has served him well to this very day.

Over the following years, the design has been gradually perfected through general use. This has resulted in the Ripper on sale in our store.

Our Quality Guarantee
When you buy any Black ADA trowel, it carries a welding guarantee. We're so confident of the strength and quality of our products that If the weld on the trowel breaks, we'll replace it free of charge.

Over the years, we have seen a handful of quite funny cases such as people levering half a ton boulders from a beach to people driving over them in their Landrover. Because of this we do operate a fair usage policy. We ask that a picture of the trowel is sent in to us first where we will evaluate each individual case.

In the past 20 years we can count on one hand how many we have had returned, so we're more than confident that if used properly, your Black ADA trowel should provide you with a lifetime of use.

Take a look at the 'About us' page of our website. Number one was the first ever Black ADA trowel and over 25 years later, it is still serving Archie well.