Pic Bine® – Multipurpose Manual Weeding Tool | Patented, Made in France

The Pic Bine® is a multipurpose hand tool designed for chemical-free weeding, hoeing and surface soil work. Patented by Avril Industrie (Ploemeur, Brittany, France), it features a blade made from special stamped, forged and through-hardened steel, sharpenable on three faces, giving it high resistance on all types of surfaces — soil, gravel, concrete or paving.

The principle is straightforward: a quarter turn of the handle switches from the "hoe" position (uprooting perennials, making furrows, working the soil) to the "scraping-weeding" position (surface aeration, shallow weeding, moss removal). The sharp edges of the blade also reach into the joints between paving slabs or along gutters, where a standard hoe cannot.

The 155 cm handle allows you to work upright without bending, reducing lower back fatigue during extended sessions. Weighing just 1.23 kg including the handle, the tool stays light and easy to manoeuvre for all users.

Supplied unsharpened — the blade can be sharpened before first use.

Advantages

✅ Immediate versatility: one tool replaces the hoe, the weeding hoe and the small pick — a quarter turn is all it takes to switch functions;

✅ Three-face sharpenable blade in through-hardened special steel, suited to all surfaces (soil, gravel, paving, façades);

✅ Ergonomic design: the 155 cm handle allows an upright posture, reducing lumbar strain during repetitive tasks;

✅ Light (1.23 kg) and compact (21.5 cm blade height), ideal for working in tight spaces such as borders or flowerbeds;

✅ Widely used by paving and grounds maintenance professionals as well as home gardeners;

✅ Made in France, patented, by Avril Industrie.

How to Use

• Hoe around plants: the thin blade breaks the surface crust to limit evaporation and remove young weeds before they take root;
• Weed gravelled paths without bringing the sub-layer to the surface — the blade works shallow without disturbing the underlying substrate;
• Uproot perennials and deep-rooted plants in "hoe" mode, breaking the root mass at the base;
• Remove moss and lichen from façades, stone walls or outdoor steps;
• Maintain the vegetable garden: draw seed furrows, firm the soil after planting, lightly work the surface between rows;
• Remove grass along borders, in gutters or between paving joints using the sharp corners of the blade.

Maintenance

• Clean the blade after each use with a wire brush to remove soil and plant debris — a clean tool resharpens more easily and lasts longer;
• Sharpen the three faces of the blade regularly with a flat file or fine sharpening stone: a sharp blade requires less effort and performs better at the surface;
• Lightly oil the blade with a protective oil (linseed oil, mineral oil) at the end of the season or before extended storage to prevent rust;
• Check the handle fitting regularly and tighten or replace the handle if needed — the untreated eucalyptus handle can be sanded and oiled to extend its service life.

FAQ

Is the blade sharpened when delivered?

No, the Pic Bine® is supplied unsharpened. You can sharpen the blade before first use to obtain the cutting edges needed for hoeing and weeding. A flat file or a fine-grit sharpening stone is sufficient to sharpen all three faces.

What is the difference between the Pic Bine® and a standard hoe?

A standard hoe works in a single direction, using a horizontal scraping action. The Pic Bine®, by contrast, operates in two distinct positions with a quarter turn: in "pick" mode for uprooting and deeper soil work, and in "scraping-weeding" mode for surface work. This dual function makes it particularly well suited to varied tasks in the garden and on hard surfaces.

Can the Pic Bine® be used on paving or concrete?

Yes — this is actually one of its main strengths. The through-hardened special steel blade is designed to withstand hard surfaces. It is regularly used by paving maintenance professionals to remove weeds from joints between slabs, along gutters or at the base of walls. Regular sharpening is recommended, as working on mineral surfaces dulls the blade faster than working on soil.

What is the optional clip-on shovel for?

The clip-on shovel attaches directly to the Pic Bine® and extends its use to gutter and drain maintenance: it makes it easier to collect and remove plant waste or soil loosened during weeding. It is particularly useful for paving and grounds maintenance professionals. It adds 360 g to the total weight (1.59 kg with shovel).

Can the handle be replaced?

The handle supplied is a 155 cm untreated eucalyptus handle. Should it break or wear out, it can be replaced by a standard handle matching the socket.