azadas and spades and forks

i have won a bid on ebay for "shock absorbing" garden tools, at the moment i use mainly a border spade for digging and to slice surface weeds, my hand gets painfull with constant jarring [im a jobbing gardener] once i m in funds i will buy an azada [trenching tool] to break up weeds and soils,
my quandry is that i don t know which tool to buy on ebay,,,,, choice is large spade or large fork or border spade or border fork.......

 

Depends upon your stature. I'm 5ft 5in and I went for the full sized variety which I haven't regretted. My friend, however, is only 4ft 10in so she went for border tools. Takes her a bit longer but she can use them better.

[ 14. December 2005, 02:19 PM: Message edited by: michaelmasdaisy ]

 

Its nice to have a selection, second hand are often better than new. I find that by holding the spade by the shaft (with gloves) rather than the handle, it avoids the jarring when using the spade with force. A slightly longer handled spade makes this easier.

 

ok ill go for the bigger spade.. the shock absorbin handle range is quite new.
for some reason they are carbon steel not s/s which i would have preferred

 

Stainless steel is convenient but properly tempered carbon steel is less likely to bend (especialy fork tines). I prefer to use standard tools with a pair of cotton gloves inside a pair of chrome leather gloves which absorbs the shock and keeps hands warmer on cold winter days. The trick with a spade is to keep it sharp and take thin slices, if you are having to bang the spade into the ground you're taking too bigger bite unless the ground is particularly stoney or solid clay. On well cultivated soil foot pressure should be sufficient.

My favorite weapon of choice though is a 'ladies' size fork - only trouble is I've broken two wooden handles this year and the third is cracked!

 

yes its not usin te spade for digging in the conventional manner that causes probs, its wielding it to slice thru weeds and to dig out bushes thats causin probs, i m trying with my ice axe now, which is quite successfull!

 

Ah! The dreaded tree roots!

I've tried various tools for breaking ground including a pick axe but the most successful has been a straight 5 foot long pinch bar. 1.25" dia and weighs about 14lb in old money. It's heavy engough to break concrete and narrow enough to spear between rubble, roots or under a crown so that you can lever any offending material out of the ground. The one I have is an industrial one, hardened and tempered with a point on one end and a chisle blade on the other. Paid �£1 for it years ago at a bankrupt sale - best money I've ever spent!

With it being straight you grip round the bar but any rebound shock goes up the bar not into your hands or shoulders. Be careful though, it's a very unforgiving animal should you get your feet in the way, hit a pipe or spike cable!