where the scale is human
Body is divided into 7 segments: 1 head, 2 half torsos, 4 limbs. Stance is neutral 50/50 weight distribution. Centre of mass (COM) at torso lower apex. Bow divides upper from lower. Pelvis is the saddle connecting rider above and horse below. Muscle control applies single strut, bow and string, tensegrity model. Pull force to bow or string controls COM and weight shifting in movement direction. Balance happens when COM is inside the base of support which are the feet.
Horizontal bow divides body into the lower yin and the upper yang. Vertical bow divides body into halves: right yin, left yang
Foot acts as a gravity sucking pad. Pressure variation is highly dynamic for landings and releases. Suitable for horizontal earth climbing. Landing, releasing, repositioning, landing. Pulling the CoM towards the foot increasing anchoring result… ” ‘pushing’ pads away from the body results in an unstable contact, reflected in a rapid decrease in contact area and thus effortless detachment, whereas ‘pulling’ pads towards the body results in a stable or increasing contact area, and strong attachment.” http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2019.0199
Drive front edge with right foot adding penetrating power, then a backface down pry, and final toss. Body stance is parallel to fishtail face. Use legs not shoulders for power.
Crimson clover needs a spring cleanup after winter.
Before cleanup
After cleanup
Narrow fishtail spade easily turns the debris cleanup chore into a pleasant activity in the garden.
Sweep stroke grading soil on path
Fishtail
Push stroke advances the front edge forward to find a working grade. Pull back and advance again cracks hard packed soil. Use pry down at the end of push stroke to add leverage power to the soil breaking action.
Shovel dominant design is the round pointed shovel and various flat scoop shovels. The end of innovation is Taylorism and access to non-human power equipment and tools. Taylorism systemized human power material shoveling through time and motion studies with the goal of profitability. Enjoyment and health for the human labour is not a priority.
Fishtail lineage begins when a shovel head meets an angle grinder cutoff disc
. Design began using a sledege hammer and steel wedges for wood splitting, as explorartion geologist the rock hammer was always in my hand. With out a rockhammer in hand there was an absence of the trade. the hammer blow exposes fresh rock chips. scythes, dutch hoe
Wide and narrow fishtail models
Lighter, more agile and precise, the narrower fishtail model has taken over as the preferred size from the wide model (aka Blossom). Lack of rust attests to amount of recent use. A 14% weight reduction from 1308 g / 2.9 lbs (original wide) to 1122 g / 2.5 lbs (narrow). Front edge 6″ and 4″ , throats 4″ and 3″, respectively. The narrow fishtail’s feels is more like a canoe paddle that forms and sculpts the earth.
Full length view of the 2 models
Starting weight =1985g – 1517g final weight = 468 g less weight
70 oz-16.5=53.5 oz final weight
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