Yard Butler ID-6C Manual Lawn Coring Aerator - Grass Dethatching Turf Plug Core Aeration Tool - Grass Aerators for Small Yards - Loosen Compacted Soil - Gardening Hand Tools - Gray, 37 Inches

After reading some negative reviews I was a little concerned in buying this tool as it was not cheap. I needn't have worried, it is a great garden tool that is simple yet effective.Firstly it is made from steel bar and not metal tubing so it is sturdy and unlikely to bend, unless subjected to serious abuse. The crossways handle and foot brace both allow for pressure to be applied easily.It is important that the soil be moist to allow for the plugs to be removed whole and to keep the shape of the resultant hole intact. Dry soil that is like solid concrete will be a struggle and overly saturated soil will just be a mud bath! I have used it on both paspalum lawn laid by sod (dense) and zoysia japonica, underlain by red Dubai desert sand. It is very satisfying to quickly extract rows of lawn/soil plugs.The tines do block from time to time and this should be expected due to variations in soil, grass, sod etc. Sometimes applying more force on the next insertion clears the blockage, or rotating 180 degrees for a slightly different angle of attack. Though the instructions indicate to use a large screwdriver or similar tool to unblock, I found that the hosepipe set onto 'jet' was far quicker and less effort, though make sure that you have your gardening clothes on (and goggles for the cautious) as initial blowback water will go in every direction!All in all, very satisfied with this purchase.