The Niwaki Hand Hoe is a great Japanese tool for digging, weeding and planting.
Whilst a traditional large garden spade is perfect for turning over a veg patch before planting or creating a new border, I've always found them awkward to use around existing plants.
This Niwaki hoe is designed to be used with a chopping motion, like an axe. Or think of it as a type of lightweight matock or adze. This makes it great for working within existing borders or for more precision weeding.
It's a little over 40cm long which means you have enough handle length to give it a good chop without it becoming difficult to wield. It only weighs 390grams.
It's construction is fairly rustic and agricultural - but as a result it should hold up well to general garden use.