Since 1989 Black ADA have been designing reliable and robust outdoor products built to withstand almost everything life can throw at them.

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 and regular customer feedback. This resulted in our first trowel called the Ripper which is on sale in our store. The range has continued to this day.