Digging type implements

I'm sorry about the long gap between my posts - but I did warn in my introduction that I work away a fair bit and there will be periods of inactivity from me, then bursts of enthusiasm when I get home again.

I bought new tools for digging, I thought they were good quality ones. I went to the farm shop and looked at what they had got. No Bulldog, so I got what they had. A well known British name with a good reputation. I got a set of digging fork and digging spade with a 10 year guarantee - because I was going to tackle the veg patch. I was working away and Anna decided to have a bit of a clear out of the bottom border. She used the fork and on the very first dig.....





As you can see, the soil is pretty friable, and she wasn't levering with any force nor was she particularly deep.....









I hope they are good for their advertised 10 year guarantee......



This one didn't last 10 minutes. My fear is, they will want to replace this rubbish with more of the same rubbish...I would rather have my money back and go and get a proper forged fork that will last.

Does anyone have any experience of GOOD tools that will actually do the job they are designed for please?

 

Wilkinson Sword products are usually fairly reasonable quality but for a fork to break like that doesn't inspire much confidence in their brand.

It looks to be made from cast steel rather than forged or pressed steel and although I can't recommend any brands in particular, forged steel is much stronger than the other production methods and stainless steel forks and spades are said by some to not be as strong as regular steel. Hope this helps.

 

Well, just to update. Wilkinson Sword are distributed in the UK by Barrus. Their PR girl was onto me fairly quickly after I put those pictures on their Facebook page. She took my name and address and within 2 days we had a brand new stainless steel fork replacing the broken one, they didn't even ask for the old one back. As a sweetner they also sent a stainless steel hoe - bit of a result and has restored my faith in them immensly. (I have a picture, but it is still in the camera).
Picture added:

 

I gave up with new implements several years ago after hubby and brother had a spate of going to local auctions and, along with a fair bit of useless junk, brought me several old well - loved forks and spades. Anyone want 3 bags of golf clubs?

 

I have a broken fork, 2 of the tines snapped clean off, it`s very useful for narrow/tight places.