I need a really strong digging fork !

I need a really strong really really strong digging fork for the garden..
I just keep bending the blooming things ! Bought a Spear and Jackson stainless steel job lasted no time at all before the tines looked like spaghetti . Next up was another stainless jobbie this time a Bull dog which is supposed to be mega strong but I bent the f thing on no time at all !

I know its an obscure and daft question but the kids want to get my summat for me birthday and its all I can think of but haven't got a clue where to start !

Thanks

Charlie.

 

I've broken a couple of stainless steel ones in the past.
I'm now using an ordinary forged steel one from Spear and Jackson, it seems OK on my stone and clay soil.
But I think its like any tool, if you really try hard you can break it.
Its knowing when your pushing it too far.

 

Thanks Pete it could be I'm expecting too much from the tool . I like to adopt the buy cheap buy twice policy and I do try to buy the best tools I can lay my hands on even if they cost a bit more..

It's just finding the strongest one and maybe not expecting quite so much from it . I have used the old ones mainly for digging and clearing old established bushes and roots. Being new to gardening I'm afraid I can't say what they were.

Charlie,

 

I tend with all tools to go for the best I can afford.
And then look after them.

As to stainless steel, When I bought them I was under the impression they were the best.
They are not, IMO, so go for a good quality forged steel type.

 

Thats very kind of you thank you. But I live quite some distance so impractical.. Thanks all the same though !
I think I have found one that should be up to the job. I'm not allowed to post a link just yet so I will wait until I am then post it up before I buy it.

Charlie.

 

I bought a Qualcast spade about 8yrs ago and its still going strong..It cost me about a tenner then and it gets used a lot..to me a spade is a spade

 

Your absolutely right ! A spade is a spade...... Doesnt make a very good fork though ?

 

I don't buy any spades or forks that are made after 1980. A good vintage spade or fork will cost you £2-4 at a boot sale and will last twice as long.

 

I think Jungle Janes idea of buying an old forged fork is the way to go
A good quality forged steel fork should outperform stainless for very heavy work. If you broke a Bulldog Tools fork you must be working it hard ! Unless they get cheap imports now.
I have just broken my stainless spade after 10 years . Even though forged steel is superior , I like stainless they seem to use less effort and keep cleaner - maybe its just me .

 

Well that's one way off getting a bit of iron back into the soil !

 

Im terrible OCD ! I clean my kit up and store it in its designated place in the store I built round the side of the house. Everything gets wiped clean before it gets put away.. Am I weird ?

 

I stick my tools in a big tub of sharp sand after every use.