Spade

[Twynyrodyn]

I have just had to return a Spear and Jackson spade for the second time in 6 months. The handes have split the metal on both occasions. Anyone else had this problem? I am only digging soil, albeit clay.

[Scarlet]

I've had a few that have snapped in half

[happyhumph]

I had two borgan (sp?) & ball long handled trowels in a row snap on the weld after a few weeks use.

I now use cheap ones from b&q or lidls - have had no problems since swoping

[ESBkevin]

Had a stainless steel garden fork lose a tone. I was heaving against a blackberry root at the time but I'm sure the quality was higher in the past.

[flynch]

I've had one handle snap but I've no idea what brand if spade it was. I now dig my heavy clay soil with an ad azada.

[johnjohn]

Since I changed to Fiskars I've had no breakages, they're extra long which is great as well

[roitelet]

I have a fork and spade made by Drapers that must be in excess of 20 years old. The wooden handle on the spade has been replaced but the fork which has what looks like a plastic handle I'd still going strong. Mind you I am still using my Grannies fork that must be nearly 100 years old with the original handle!

[oakridge]

My 40 year old Spear and Jackson has just broken and we have ordered a new one from Strewfix. If this one lasts as long I will be 114 and very, very happy to see it break. The old one was in use continuously throughout the year. My Grandad's broad tined fork which he bought before WWI died about 5 years ago. My tools don't stand about long enough to be oiled or anything like that - I just rub the muck off. It's like our Land Rovers if you wait long enough the muck falls off.

[MarkPelican]

Our 40 year old Spear and Jackson spade handle broke. I phoned their helpline and they sent me another (plus the fitting rivet free of charge - and a second when I mucked up fitting it and phoned them back again). Still going after another two years.

[Muddy_Boots]

I've had a Yard Brush for 20 years and its still going strong .......

...... its only had 5 new heads and two new handles ........

...... I'll get my coat .........

[Dalrimple]

this post just got me thinking ,i'm using my dads old spear and jackson spade ,iv'e had it 25yrs and I remember dad using it 20yrs ago ! it's a Never Bend and guess what it aint bent yet!
atb Dal

[Baldy]

My ASDA £5 quid spade and fork have been going strong for 5+ years and often accidentally left outside on the plot.
The spade s also the best I've ever had for clearing snow - not that we have it often here - must have hit a particularly golden seam of Chinese steel with those two.

[bario1]

My Joseph Bentley border fork handle snapped at the weekend after less than five years of light use.

[Stan79]

I would always go for a secondhand ebay spade... New tools are too expensive and as has been shown above often aren't built to the same tolerances as older, more practical tools!

My favourite 'spade' is a trenching spade with an 8ft length of scaffolding welded to the blade. Seriously heavy and unwieldy but great for digging fence post holes, tree stumps and drainage channels!

[1Bee]

I'm using a mix of old B&Q cheapies and some I found in my mum's shed after she passed away. I've been doing very heavy work with the B&Q cheapies and they're still going strong...

I do wish I hadn't lost my little 'spit' spade as I knew it then. Perfect for post holes and spud planting. The closest I've seen to it are 'rabbiting spades' but I'd have to order online and they're not cheap.