flimsey tools

[jellobiafra]

I have had the misfortune of not just one but two gardening utensils snapping on me as I go about my orders from Field Marshall 'I can grow lemons me' as he lifts little more than a coffee cup.Can anyone reccomend a sturdy tool that if necessary wouldn't break on impact .

[bobleponge]

Well you must be strong if you can manage to break 2 tools. I haven't had one go on me ever!
I think Bulldog do a good sturdy range of tools, although I'm sure everyone will have their own favourites.

[snuffer]

Would have to agree with bobleponge. Bulldog tools are very strong but unfortunately a little expensive. As I understand it, the secret of their strength lies in the fact that the tool head is forged from one piece of steel therby elliminating the need for welds.

I have seen cheaper solid forged tools but they are all let down by the quality of their handles.

The only problem with Bulldog tools is that they are to valuable to be left at the lottie.

[Two_Sheds]

The problem is usually where the handle joins on ... this is the weak point.

What particular tool are you using ? Spade, hand trowel? Fork?

I am liking Spear & Jackson at the moment, I also have some very good Burgon & Ball hand tools

[rustylady]

Spear & Jackson stainless steel. However, as the others say, I don't leave them on the allotment.

[Snadger]

I have a Spear & Jackson stainless steel spade which is a bit 'numb'. It will probably last forever though!

Used, old, quality tools from car boot sales are the best buy I think. In the past tools were designed for comfort and could be used all day with little effort. New is not always good, sometimes old is better!

[Two_Sheds]

Used, old, quality tools from car boot sales are the best buy I think

but I can't help thinking they've been nicked from somebody's shed

[Snadger]

but I can't help thinking they've been nicked from somebody's shed

What????? stolen goods being hawked at car boot sales?...........never!

[dandy]

Most of my stuff has been inherited from my grandad so is at least 25 years old - probably more in some cases. One of the spades has a lovely curve on the bottle of the blade where it has worn over the years.

[lynda66]

my dad gave me some kingfisher stainless steel tools, they even have a lifetime guarantee ......... all the fork prongs broke off. ....... my cheap wilkies ones are still going

[zazen999]

Like Lynda, our wilkinson tools bought are not only still going, but my personal favourites.

[Novice Gardener]

I like the "wolf" tools. They're the ones that you buy the handle and then buy each head separately - each tool just clicks on and off. Our garden centre had an offer on - usually they cost £24.99 for the handle with a standard type head like a rake or a hoe, but I got mine for £14.99, then my mum bought me that fab head that you click on, and when you drag it through the soil, it makes a huge V shaped trench - perfect for planting potatoes. For christmas I've asked hubby for a couple more heads - I think they start at around £8 each but the seem really strong. My rake head really made light work of getting a fine tilth in the summer