Review on LOSTRONAUT Soil Sampler Probe 12 Inch - Tubular Contractor Grade Enforced T Handle - Stainless Steel With Core Sampling Area - Includes Soil Sample Kit Test Bags - For Garden Lawn Farm Or Golf Course by Ernest Etienne

I live in the NW US where the soil is hard packed clay. I used the probe to sample my lawn. Sampling was done in the spring after several rainy days. The lawn has a layer of thatch over a thin layer of top soil with hard pan underneath. It's recommended to sample 6 inches below the surface. I had a difficult time extracting a sample deeper than 3 inches below the surface. I weigh about 170 lbs and it took all of my weight while twisting the tool back and forth. The tool is actually made very sturdy as it didn't bend or flex with all my weight on it. However, I'm not sure if the hole is too small or if the opening isn't shaped correctly to cut into the soil. But the bottom line is it didn't perform as promised.