The name is the Zeeland dialect form of the word ‘schraal’, meaning ‘meagre’ or ‘thin’, which refers to the long, thin shaft connecting the blade to the handle. The schrepel is a quintessentially Dutch tool developed in the 19th century in the province of Zeeland for the labour-intensive task of thinning sugar beets. The schrepel has an asymmetrical design to enhance precision whilst working and resembles a smaller version of a hoe. The schrepel is available in left- and right-handed versions, with a choice of an ash or cherry wood handle and a blade width ranging from 8 to 14 cm.
Piet Oudolf’s favourite tool.
