Varomorus Compact Soil Sampler Probe 12" Stainless Steel

Before purchasing the soil probe I read the reviews and pulled the trigger. I saw 1-star reviews showing damage to the probe with the admission of using a hammer. What did you expect? Don't blame the instrument. It's small, priced right, easy to use and store.Caution: Use a rubber mallet and there will be zero damage. Use a hammer even with a wood block and you'll most likely be disappointed.I took 7 samples in less than five minutes for a soil testing kit while using a short piece of metal to push the soil out and into a bucket. I have clay soil and the probe entered easily and pulled out with a good firm pull. Wiggle the probe to help it out if it's stubborn. Take your time, use the right tools and you'll be pleased with your purchase.

I got this unit because I was worried about bending the units that had a T and an open slot to easily remove the sample. I have heavy red clay soil. It had been slowly raining on and off a couple days. The soil was damp on top but not very moist below. I was able to use a rubber hammer to reach 5 to 6 inches. After pulling the sample out I just turn the tool upside down and the sample just slid out. Easy peasy. The trick is make sure the soil is not dry and use a rubber hammer. I had no damage to my tool and I took about 50 samples in all areas of my large yard.

The problem with this product is getting the soil out of the sampler. You can use a rubber mallet to drive the sampler into the ground, but regardless if the soil is wet or dry, it is very, VERY difficult to extract the soil after you remove the sampler from the ground. There are better samplers out there. I don't recommend that you use this one unless you have a lot of time to get your sample out.

I was hesitant to buy based on other ratings, but after using it to take samples from my yard (St. Augustine Turfgrass), it is very easy to use to take samples and it's 1/4th the cost of the 22" version with a handle. Make sure to use a rubber mallet for driving the probe into the ground, or if you use a regular hammer, use a block of wood or something to put on top of the probe so you don't damage it like some other folks that reviewed this. The soil sample very easily comes out of the top of the probe by turning it upside down. Very easy and affordable. I would recommend this to anyone who doesn't want to spend $54 for a longer version with handles.

The product is stainless steel which keeps the soil pure. Be sure to use a rubber mallet to avoid damaging the top of the tube. I took a star off ease of use because having a T near the top of the more expensive products allows for easier removal from the ground. It would also be good if the product was sold with a piece of wood that fits the top opening to push out the earth. I used a sander on a small piece of wood to make it fit. But this would go for any tube.

Worked perfect for taking soil samples in my yard. Used a rubber mallet and no issues and no damage to the tool. A little bit more money than the competitors tool, but that one never showed up and I needed right away. So I took off a star for value.

Dirt end deformed when using rubber mallet to drive into clay soil —had to reshape several times during use

Not much to say other than it is simple and easy to use. Pound it into the ground with a rubber mallet, wiggle it a few times so you can pull it out and turn it upside down, The sample slides right out.

This is great and enables you to collect samples from about 10 different areas of the field and fit them in the tiny sampling box. Its hard to get the soil out if its claggy so my husband used a tubular bar (possible an electric fence post to poke it out. Hugely more effective than going round with a spade!!