An hand tool for trenching or edging is in the form of an open loop, with a digging head at its lower end and a split handle portion with left and right shafts and a transverse grip. The head is formed of a transverse cross bar with a curvilinear blade flat blade that extends about eight to ten inches below the cross bar. This may be a semi-circular blade, such as one-half of a fluted coulter disk. The upper part of the cross bar, between left and right handle shaft portions, forms a step or foot plate where the worker can step to bear down over the center of the blade. The tool may be used in trenching for laying cables or conduit.
