Decent Garden Tools?

[gardening_gal]

I need to invest in a decent spade, fork and hoe. I've always bought whatever was on offer before but I want to buy something decent that wont bend as soon as it hits a rock.

I have no clue what kind of price range I should be looking at, or what brands. Is there anything I should avoid particularly or are they all much and such?

Any tips or advice welcome. Thanks in advance.

[greenishfing]

We bought ours at least 15 years ago in Wilko. We did buy the stainless steel ones which were dearer than the standard ones, but a lot cheaper than stainless steel ones elsewhere. ( I knew that at some point my husband would forget them and leave them outside to rust). On a few occasions they have been left outside but are basically still as good as the day we bought them.

[quanglewangle]

I've started buying stainless tools as the current ones rot because I never put stuff away: I'm going to use it in the garden so why not just leave it there.

Two problems: I can't find a stainless Cornish shovel and stainless ones seem to be very heavy.
Titanium anyone?

[Chestnut]

Always pick up and hold the tool, is it comfortable to hold?
We have 3 spades, but I only ever use one- stainless border spade, sharp blade, D handle - but you might prefer something completely different ;-)

[Chestnut]

Always pick up and hold the tool, is it comfortable to hold?
We have 3 spades, but I only ever use one- stainless border spade, sharp blade, D handle - but you might prefer something completely different ;-)

[Stan79]

I tend to just by mine cheap on eBay. The thinking being that they’re cheap so it doesn’t matter if I leave it in the mud, forget to put it away, snap it, etc.

My mum bought my wife a posh spade and fork set. They’re quite narrow so it’s not back breaking work digging. She spent a small fortune and the fork snapped a tine of within about a fortnight. That was stainless steel!

[Stan79]

I tend to just by mine cheap on eBay. The thinking being that they’re cheap so it doesn’t matter if I leave it in the mud, forget to put it away, snap it, etc.

My mum bought my wife a posh spade and fork set. They’re quite narrow so it’s not back breaking work digging. She spent a small fortune and the fork snapped a tine of within about a fortnight. That was stainless steel!

[mcdood]

Yep I just buy cheap so when the the local human wildlife invade the allotments if they do nick stuff I'm not gutted.

[Greenleaves]

Only Kent and Stowe for me

[Martin H]

Only Kent and Stowe for me

They look nice, I'll have to try them. I was using my Spe@r and J@ckson stainless steel border fork to get dandelions out of my clay last autumn and there was an ominous crack from the wooden handle. I've only had it a couple of years, too. I got it because of the name, they used to have a good reputation for well made tools when I was a lad. So when it finally gives up completely (probably this summer) I'll get a Kent and Stowe replacement.

[Greenleaves]

If you register your new tools they replace free, broke my first one after 3 years and was replaced no questions asked

[Martin H]

If you register your new tools they replace free, broke my first one after 3 years and was replaced no questions asked

Yes, I should do that but never seem to get round to it. I naively tend to assume that if something has a 5 year guarantee it is unlikely to go wrong until year 6.

[quanglewangle]

When talking of tools "good" usually means durable and long-lasting. However I want tools that are light and pleasant to use; that let me do the job with minimum of effort. Durability is on the list but not at the top.

[nickdub]

Over about 40 years of gardening there's no question for me that with hand tools the steel in the oldest ones is among the best, so if you can find a spade or fork which is 70 or more years old and not worn out then buy that. Of course, you'll usually need to put a new handle on it, but then you'll have the best of both worlds - a brand-new handle and a quality steel head.

[broadway]

Over about 40 years of gardening there's no question for me that with hand tools the steel in the oldest ones is among the best, so if you can find a spade or fork which is 70 or more years old and not worn out then buy that. Of course, you'll usually need to put a new handle on it, but then you'll have the best of both worlds - a brand-new handle and a quality steel head.

Will do Trigger