The Best Shepherd’s Hook
Our Review Process
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Our Picks For The Top Shepherd's Hooks
- 1. EXCMARK Steel Height Adjustable Shepherd’s Hook, 32-Inch
- 2. MAXZONE Easy Set-Up Rust Resistant Shepherd’s Hook, 2-Pack
- 3. AshmanOnline Vintage Steel Shepard’s Hook, 2-Pack
- 4. BEAU JARDIN Wrought Iron Garden Shepard’s Hook, 2-Pack
- 5. Tangchaoo Anti-Rust Shepherd’s Hook, 65-Inch
- 6. Vencer Multipurpose Curved Shepard’s Hook, 2-Pack
- 7. Gray Bunny Traditional Outdoor Shepherd’s Hook, 65-Inch
Available in black or bronze, this shepherd's hook is quite stylish. It works just as well for weddings as it does for hanging a bird feeder. The three-prong base keeps the hook firmly in place, while the two included extenders allow for adjusting the hook's height to your preference.
Budget-Friendly PickYou'll love the affordable price tag on this shepherd's hook.
Thanks to the five-prong base on this shepherd's hook, you can count on it standing strong once installed. The thick metal construction also allows for hanging everything from flower pots to mason jars to decorative lanterns. At the end of the hook, you'll find a handy rubber stopper to protect the pole from rain.
Stays PutYou'll get not one, but two shepherd's hooks when you opt for this durable set.
You'll get two 48-inch-tall shepherd's hooks in this set, with a design that will add to your outdoor spaces. The material is extra-thick steel, powder coated to protect against wear. The half-inch diameter helps it hold up under years of use through turbulent weather conditions.
Extra-Thick SteelThese two hooks measure half an inch in diameter, making them a sturdy option for your garden.
These shepherd's hooks have a glossy finish to protect them against damage from the elements. Each hook in this two-piece set is 48 inches tall and 2/5 of an inch in diameter. The black coating means it will blend easily with any outdoor space.
30-Pound Weight CapacityEach hook in this two-piece set can easily hold 30 pounds of weight, allowing you to hang heavier items like potted plants.
Buying Guide
Shepherds have long used long rods to help manage their herds. These are called shepherd’s crooks, and they’re named for the hook on the end that can be used to catch sheep. Shepherd’s crooks can also be used for self-defense, protecting both the shepherd and flocks against predators.
But the design of a shepherd’s crook has also inspired a trend in gardens across the world. Known as shepherd’s hooks, these stakes emulate the design of a shepherd’s crook to hold hanging baskets, bird feeders and decorative globes. There’s no limit to what these hooks can hold, as long as they don’t exceed the weight limit.
But if you’re investing in a hook that will spend most of its time outdoors, it’s important to make durability a top priority. Your shepherd’s hook will be exposed to the elements 24 hours a day. That means rain, snow, sleet and sun will be bearing down on it throughout the year. It will also be exposed to extreme wind conditions during storms, so it has to be able to anchor tightly into the ground without swaying. You’ll need a hook made from a material that can hold up to all that without showing signs of wear.
What to Look For
- Before you start shopping for a shepherd’s hook, take a close look at the area where you’ll install it. Make sure the ground is strong enough to hold it upright, while still being pliable enough to insert the hook. Also consider the color and design that will look best for the space.
- Shepherd’s hooks have a wide variety of placement options, from your front yard garden to your patio area. It can even be a great way to enhance your pool or outdoor grill area.
- One top consideration for your shepherd’s hook is its weight capacity. Take a close look at how thick it is. This will give you an idea of how much it can hold if the capacity isn’t listed. A thicker hook will also be more durable.
- Rust and corrosion are also important considerations. If your shepherd’s hook isn’t made of a material that will hold up in wet weather conditions, look for one that has weatherproof coating applied.
- The build of the hook says quite a bit about how well it will hold up to the elements, particularly wind. You can’t go wrong with iron, but steel is also a good option.
More to Explore
The Greek muse Thalia, the muse of comedy, is often depicted with a shepherd’s crook in in her right hand. It’s in keeping with today’s use of the shepherd’s crook in gardening since some historians believe that Thalia was also the muse of vegetation, pointing to the fact that the name Thalia comes from the Greek from “thalo,” which means “bloom.” The term has also made its way to the operating room, where the term “shepherd’s crook” is applied to a deformity that affects the femur.