Best quality spades & forks

We again need to replace a long handled fork after the wooden handle snapped where it meets the metal. Does anyone know of a company that makes either all in one tools etc or very strong professional quality ones. Alternatively is anyone using Sneeboer tools? They are expensive, but if the last longer ... We have a 3 acre garden with heavy clay soil which really puts them to the test so would be really grateful to hear if anyone has solved this problem. Thanks.

 

you sound like i used to be i frequently broke spades and forks after a while i began to realise it wasnt the tools it was me. I have become a more patient gardener and have not broke a spade in years. Not saying this is true in your case but is it possible?
Ps im a self employed gardener so do lots of digging on heavy soils

 

I find the old gardening tools are the best. They were mean't to last.

Look out for old second hand tools at car boots etc.

They have stood the test of time.:gnthb: 02

 

Thanks for suggestion Marley Farley, I will have a look at Draper tools.
The plantman, a reasonable suggestion, but I have to be honest and say it is my husband who breaks these handles; he is 6'2" and a powerhouse - the suggestion to dig with less gusto would fall on deaf ears.
TakemoreO2withit - old tools were made to last it is true and a great idea, I will keep a look out.
Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply, much appreciated.

 

Before, Iâ??m using plastic tools in gardening but it makes my work uneasy. But when I switch my gardening tool to stainless steel, amazing! Because the mud that usually caused rusts was not my problem anymore.

 

dont use Wilkinson Sword ones, they break, despite claiming they wont

 

Stainless may be OK on light loam or sandy soils, but I wouldn't recommend them for clay soil. Clay sticks to Stainless even more than to Carbon steel. I have both and much prefer the carbon steel spade.

By the way, a tip for "crumbing out" a post hole. Wev'e probably all had the same problem when digging a post hole. When you get well down it becomes difficult to keep the loose soil on the spade to lift it out. That's where a "post hole digger" comes in handy, but if you don't have one this is the answer. Get two spades and a piece of rope, tie the spades together just above the blades leaving a couple of inches or so slack. Push the two spades down with the blades opened out, Using the rope as a fulcrum move the handles out away from each other, trapping loose soil between them and lift it out.

I just had to dig out a hole to get to the stopcock in my garden, I now have to replace the stopcock, but that's another problem (it's 4ft down).

 

After a fork bent and another steel one the prong broke, we bought a Spear & Jackson and it is superb. We can recommend and Screwfix sell them at a reasonable price delivered to your door. Also bought a small gardening trwoel from thne same company.

 

I find Spear & Jackson tools very good, if you can find them, Bulldog are also good kit.

 

I bought a Spears & Jackson stainless steel garden fork for about £30.00 a few months ago and left it with my son to do some gardening when I was away. On my return I found that two of the tines were bent and he was in hiding.
On taking it back to Homebase I was presently surprised when they exchanged it with no receipt and without a quibble which I thought was very good customer service.
Working on the garden today clearing a border with roots from an old Privet hedge I soon found that even without much pressure I soon bent two of the tines on this fork so now I have to apologise for berating my poor son.
I am in my mid seventies and not a Charles Atlas in build and I would like to find a good strong garden fork. Can anyone recommend one?

 

We have a Spears & Jackson and find it good for heavy clay soil so not sure why yours is giving issues. I would write a nice letter to the manufacturer stating that your fork bends under pressure and this is the second one which is puzzling as Jackson & Spears are supposed to be the best. Avoid asking them for a replacement as your purchase contract is with Home base and ourself under Sale of Goods Acts. Mayb they will come up with something although they are not obliged to do so.

 

My father used to use a "Contractors Fork", these have tines about 12.5mm square with a chisel edge and the steel strap front and back of the handle goes right to the D handle. You won't bend one of those. Personally I have never found it necessary to use one as I dig with care and within the capability of the fork.

 

Do you mean something like one of these? Stamped "bulldog Made in England", the handle is all steel, it weighs 7 lbs and is so heavy I only use it when there's some really heavy duty job that might break a lesser fork (been clearing out the shed).