Hand tool

An improved hand tool having a handle member coupled to a tool head, the improvement comprising:

• a junction between the handle member and a surface of the tool head defining an elongated interface;
• a weld provided at least partially along a perimeter of the elongated interface;
• a step member extending from the tool head and including a recess configured to at least partially receive a lower end of the handle member;
• a weld joining the step member and the lower end of the handle member proximate the recess;
• so that the tool head is rigidly attached to the lower end of the handle member.

An improved hand tool having a handle member coupled to a tool head where the tool head includes a blade member and a step member, the improvement comprising:

• a lower end of the handle member having an angled face configured for placement on a face of the blade member to define an interface therebetween;
• the angled face of the handle member secured to the face of the blade member at least partially along the interface;
• the blade member integrally formed with the step member, the step member having a plurality of treads and a recess at least partially surrounding the lower end of the handle member;
• and
• a weld that couples the step member to the lower end of the handle member at the recess.