Quality tools good enough for a prince

By ELLEN READ

It is public knowledge that Prince Charles talks to his plants - now some New Zealand tools might get to listen in on the conversation.

A small NZ business has just finished packing a large consignment of goods for sale at the Prince's Highgrove Estate.

The Campbell Tool Company - run by husband and wife team Murray and Elaine Campbell from their home in suburban Karori - has sold a consignment of garden forks and trowels to the Prince of Wales.

In 1995, unable to buy quality gardening tools, Murray and Elaine Campbell decided to design and make their own.

Their focus on quality paid off, and Campbell's gardening forks and trowels now stocked by several British outlets including the Prince of Wales' shop at his Highgrove Estate.

The Campbells were delighted when upmarket London store Fortnum & Mason began stocking their tools, and thrilled when Highgrove Estates' gardeners began using them.

"But there were many hoops to jump through before Highgrove Estate became a stockist for our tools," says Elaine.

The implements had to be inspected by the Prince's industrial design consultants for material, construction, ergonomics and aesthetics and the wood for the handles had to be made from sustainable sources.

The implements being sold on the estate are branded Highgrove and bear the Prince of Wales' feather logo.

But the labels also say "Made in NZ by the Campbell Tool Company".

Murray made the prototypes for Elaine after she complained all garden tools rusted, bent or were tiring to use.

A civil engineer by trade and designer by inclination, he went back to first principles to make something better, of lasting quality with no short cuts for mass production.

The trowels and forks have stainless steel blades and tines brazed on to an unbendable tang, bonded into a waisted wooden handle. Extra leverage is gained by the deep angle of the tang and correct alignment from the handle along to the tip of the tool removes stress from the wrist.

The Campbells sell in New Zealand by mail order and through a few selected stockists.