Factory Address

Clarington Forge

Darlington Street East

Wigan Lancs, WN1 3BT

Gardening and Contracting Tools

Made In England

Bulldog UK Website

Head Office

Rollins Bulldog Tools LTD

Rollins House, 1 Parkway, Harlow

Essex, CM19 5QF

Bulldog Tools are one of the few manufacturers of garden tools actually making  tools in Britain. 

The Company was established in 1780 and has a forge in Wigan, Lancashire where  top quality tools are made by craftsmen using techniques developed over 2 centuries. The products cover the whole range of gardening  and contractors tools such as forks, spades, rakes and hoes. Many of the Bulldog tools remain as they have for decades and are sold on their tried and trusted performance,  and not marketing gimmicks.

Bulldog Tools are famous throughout the world and old examples are still being used and cherished by their owners. I have used Bulldog Tools since 1970 and hope to for many more years.

During the 1990's the company was American owned and suffered from the effects of cheap imports from the Far East. However in February 2004 the company's prospects were boosted when Bulldog came back into English ownership as part of the respected Rollins Group.

Bulldog Tools have a large following in the USA under the brand name "Clarington Forge".

As a lifelong Bulldog fan I am relieved to see the brand doing well again and have chosen Bulldog as the manufacturer of my own tool - Fred's Onion Hoe" which now forms part of the long established Premier range. In 2009 I visited the forge in Wigan to see in more detail how the tools are made and distributed.

Due to my good contacts with Bulldog and confidence in the tools I am able to order any Bulldog tool and offer a discount along with my personal assistance. The tools will come direct from the factory and I will progress chase and let you know order and delivery times. There is a £7 delivery charge for orders made this way so please use the links to my retail partners for single orders where available and contact me for multiple orders, where I can save you more money.

As the Bulldog Tools I sell are hand-made specialist tools they may not always be in stock and you may have to wait for the factory to make a batch up. If you want tools in a hurry best try someone else as first as I don't  make promises I cant keep and whilst the more popular tools are available your order could be held up if it includes a rare or unusual tool. Currently with the summer season in full swing some rarer tools are not available.

Fred and Bulldog Director at the Wigan Forge in 2009

Best Product Examples of Bulldog Tools

The Bulldog Border Fork and Spade

This tool has been in production for decades and is now available with the old fashioned block type wooden handle.

They are available in 3 versions

1 In the Premier range shown- with green painted metal parts

2 In the Titchmarsh range - with brown metal parts - use link below

3 In the  National Trust range with brown metal parts and old fishioned block handles made in Germany

Classic English Garden Tools

!

Use My Links below for National Trust Versions

If you are particularly short then buy the new smaller size Shrubbery fork and spade

The tools measure 35 inches in total length and the heads are smaller too.(5.5 * 7 inches)

 Click to See Bulldog shrubbery Forks & Spades

The new Shrubbery spade next to a normal size border spade.

This is an ideal tool for ladies, shorter gents and largish children

T handled Rabbiting Spade

26" handle

(also known as planting spade)

£35 in mainland UK delivery

out of stock

Unique Solid Forged Lawn Edger

This is the finest example of a half moon lawn knife available and the only one I know of where the blade is made from one piece of steel, forged by hand for maximum strength.

Most lawn edgers are made from 2 pieces of steel welded together which introduces a weakness in the tool. As users have a tendency to lever the soil away with the tool many become bent or broken.

This exceptional tool is actually strong enough to dig with (though I don't recommend it) and also has a solid ash shaft with a generous width T handle.

There is also a Stainless Steel version of this tool , which is cheaper and not so strong.

The best leaf rake - will even work on concrete and gravel!

These unique rake has 16 rubber tines that act like sensitive little fingers when raking leaves and other debris.

The Bulldog Merlin and Wizard rakes are a favourite of professional gardeners who love to use them on gravel drives and in herbaceous borders.

The Merlin (shown right) is ideal for border work and its big brother the Wizard with 32 tines is best on gravel and lawns.

Replacement tines are available for both rakes.

Remember when ordering that the Merlin is a small Wizard!

Use the link below for the Wizard and mail me for a Merlin.

Springbok Leaf rake 48" handle

This is the finest example of a leaf rake available. The Bulldog "springbok rake" is a classic that has been used by professionals for many years.

The reason that so many people chose this rake is that it is so well built that it will outlast most other rakes and still keep its shape and flexibility.

Bulldog Wizard and Merlin Rubber Rakes

Bulldog Premier Springbok rake

Irish Spades and Irish Shovels

Bulldog have been making these traditional tools since 1780 and they have been used on some of the worlds greatest construction projects.

To make things clear a spade is designed for digging soil and a shovel for moving material. However a very strong shovel can be used to dig sand and soil too, especially if it has a pointed end.

The T handled Irish Spades are one of my favourite tools and come in 2 sizes. They are superb for digging planting holes, and of course trenching. The full size version has a strapped head which is a special design that makes the strongest tool possible.

The quality and design of these tools have not changed for over 100 years and I have seen how they are made in the Wigan factory.

Bulldog Irish Spade

Handle length 36"

Head size 11.5" * 7.5"

£49 inc mainland UK delivery

out of stock

WEST COUNTRY SHOVEL

Known to some people as the Cornish Spade this tool is slightly wider but flatter than the Irish Shovel and although strictly speaking it is a shovel it can be used for digging in hard ground.

This is a large tool with a 54" wooden handle (you could cut it down easily). The head is 10.5" wide and 11.5" long.

The Round Point Irish shovel (far left) is similar to the West Country shovel featured below

This is a large tool with a 54" wooden handle (you could cut it down easily). The head is 10." wide and 13" long.

TOOLS FOR RESTORATION AND CONSERVATION PROJECTS

If you are doing a big project with lots of volunteers and need some rock solid tools I can supply you at the best possible price and give my personal attention and follow up to all orders.

I may also be able to visit your project and offer advice on other specialist tools if required.

Find the tools you want on the Bulldog website and then mail me for discount prices on multiple orders

please include the serial numbers and full description of the tool.

Bulldog UK Website

Tools for Therapeutic Horticulture?

In one of my previous careers I worked as a horticultural therapist for the NHS and wrote 2 books on equipment for disabled gardeners.

If you are involved in a Horticultural therapy project and need advice on tools and equipment please contact me on fred@fredshed.com

Fred's "Forking Amazing" Deal

If you want the toughest  traditional fork and only the best will do then this Premier strapped solid forged digging fork £56 inc delivery  is hard to beat.

It is solid forged from one piece of hot metal and strapped, which means the metal shaft extends up and around the wooden shaft and is "strapped to it by several large rivets. This gives the strongest join and has been tried and tested over many decades. It is hand made in Wigan by craftsmen in the Bulldog Forge.

The price includes delivery to mainland UK only.

Bulldog Strapped Fork 470402820

28inc YD handle - (shown next to Irish Spade)

£56 inc mainland UK delivery

(cheque or bacs)

£59 using paypal button below

out of stock

Bulldog launch new range of traditional tools in conjunction with Gardening legend Alan Titchmarsh

Combining the best of Bulldog tradition with modern designs the Bulldog Titchmarsh range encompasses the best solid forged carbon steel forks and spades (shown right) and modern lightweight Aluminium and stainless steel tools.

If you would like to buy 2 or more of  these tools please mail me with product numbers from the Bulldog website and I will give you a price, or use the links below for individual tools. I will probably be cheaper for multiple orders.

UK enquiries only please.

border size tools

full size digging tools

New Tools - but just like Granddad used to own

If you want my advice buy the brown coloured solid forged ones

they are stronger, - remember that you are buying a digging tool and not a designer handbag!

Bulldog Evergreen Forks and Spades

One range down from the Premier tools these Epoxy coated carbon steel tools have  hardwood shafts but plastic soft touch ergo handles. The metal parts are forged from one piece for strength and lightness, in Wigan UK These are similar to the Alan Titchmarsh solid forged range but don't have treads on the spades and have plastic rather than wooden D shaped handles.

                                                               Full Size                                                                     Border Size

Solid forged forks often cost more than spades as there is a lot more skilled work involved in making them

As used by Hugh Fearnly - Whittingstall

BUY FRED'S ONION HOE

DIRECT FROM FRED

This is a little tool I invented for myself about 10 years ago. It is a push-pull hoe with v shaped notches on the back that trap and pull out weeds with their roots intact.

You can order this carbon steel version made by Bulldog Tools  from me, the inventor for £28 inc postage.

The metal parts are finished in the green colour of the Bulldog Premier Range and the handle is made from the best American Ash.

Click button below to order from me

(paypal and credit cards)

e-mail if you want to send a cheque

Freds Long Handled Onion Hoe (FOH 2)

£28 inc UK delivery

Will come direct from the Bulldog Factory in Wigan

If you prefer a traditional hoe please see link below

The image to the right shows the stages of a Bulldog Spade being forged from one piece of solid metal.

This hot solid forging technique makes the tool as strong as possible, and as importantly as light as possible.

Most forks and spades you find in shops and catalogues are not hot solid forged. This is to save money, but results in an inferior tool.

Most Bulldog Tools are forged in Wigan UK. *

(does not apply to stainless steel and some cutting tools)

I was impressed with the skill and craftsmanship that goes into these tools. Hot solid forging involves more processes and expense than  just stamping and welding but the end result is a stronger tool that will outlast the rest many times and possibly outlast you!

Children's  Digging Tools!

Real Garden Tools For Children

Most garden tools sold for Children are a bit flimsy and do not last very long. Bulldog make proper mini versions of their solid forged fork and spade to suit children.

These tools are so well made that your children could pass them onto your grandchildren.

If you want a set of 4 tools as shown for £53 inc delivery to any mainland UK address

click here or on shed door to return to homepage