Another piece of landfill from a "leading" manufacturer
and sold be a "leading retailer"
Fred-in-the-sheds Guide to Garden Forks and Spades
Updated 11th December 2011
Most garden forks and spades sold today are of inferior quality and design and made in the Far East. They are made to cater for gardeners who don't want to spend much on tools. However some are made to look like quality tools to fool the public into thinking they are getting the best.
These tools will not last as long as the "old fashioned" tools that our parents and grandparents used. Luckily you can still buy top quality, solid forged British and Dutch tools and some reasonable quality tools from "the Orient" However you need to know where to look and you need some inside information to avoid the shiny fakes.
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| Another piece of landfill from a "leading" manufacturer and sold be a "leading retailer" |
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CASE STUDY - BUYING A FORK AND SPADE
If you try to buy a fork or spade you will find that they range enormously in price, for no apparent reason. Why does that shiny stainless steel spade cost less than that dull and boring painted one?
It could be because one is a poor quality duffer. But which one? I will lead you through the marketing hype to the truth about tools you buy.
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The image to the right shows the stages of a Bulldog Spade being forged from one piece of solid metal. In 2009 I visited the forge in Wigan to see how the best forks and spades are made. There is only one factory left like this in Britain and it is over 200 years old. This hot solid forging technique makes the tool as strong as possible, and as importantly as light as possible. This is because the tool head is one piece of metal with the same crystalline structure. When metal is welded this changes and can introduce weakness in certain points Most forks and spades you find in shops and catalogues are not hot solid forged, they are pressed and/or welded. This is to cut costs , but results in an inferior tool. Most Bulldog Tools are forged in Wigan UK. * (does not apply to stainless steel and some cutting tools) click here for my special page on Bulldog British made Garden Tools
HOW TO BUY BULLDOG AND CLARINGTON FORGE TOOLS ONLINE (UK)
see the Bulldog website for prices and specs - then - E-mail fred@fredshed.com HOW TO BUY BULLDOG AND CLARINGTON FORGE TOOLS ONLINE (USA) please click the banner link below
click here for my new page on forks and spades in the USA including True Temper Tools
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BUY SPARE & REPLACEMENT FORK HANDLES (that's fork handles - not four candles! ) Buy spare Metal YD handles, wooden T handles and long wooden handles for shovels Wooden handles for forks and spades break for several reasons. Firstly the wood has not been seasoned properly to save on costs. Secondly the user has tried to lever something heavy with the tool. Thirdly , the tool has been stored in a hot environment and the wood has dried out and become brittle. Also many handles on the cheaper digging tools are not fitted well and allow moisture and muck to collect and rot the wood. use the link opposite to get fork handles If you want to replace a handle or shaft on a vintage garden tools please find a local woodworker or blacksmith. Handles for old tools are very hard to find and I do not know of a supplier.
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Apart form these links I do not supply or know anyone who supplies wooden handles for garden forks and spades.
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Stainless Steel tools look nice and do slide into the ground easier, only one company makes solid forged stainless steel, hence most of the stainless tools are inherently weaker, especially forks, even though they may cost more, depending on who makes them and where you buy them.
No-one makes solid forged stainless steel forks and spades in the UK. If you see any stainless steel spade or fork labelled "manufactured in the UK" - beware this does not apply to the metal parts! I have stopped a major UK retailer making these claims. ( They were not too pleased to hear from me)
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A so called "top quality" Stainless Steel Spade sold by a Top Brand Company. This product has failed because it is made of 2 pieces welded together (badly) It came with a 10 year guarantee and was a replacement for the previous one that broke. Your time and petrol is not covered by the guarantee. The environmental cost of manufacturing product for landfill is not covered by the guarantee. The retailer will not be interested in dealing with your warranty claim and will refer you to the manufacturer to whom you will need to send the broken tool. |
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Craftsman made Stainless Steel Digging Tools As the British garden tool manufacturers have dwindled down and disappeared the Chinese manufacturers have taken over and sold us lots of shiny tools that look good but just don't last.( There are a few rare exceptions) These new tools from an old Dutch manufacturer called Sneeboer fill the gap as they are made from the finest steel and wood by a family of craftsmen with tools in their blood. When you pick up Sneeboer tool you feel the craftsmanship and take pride in the work you do with. A large range ofSneeboer tools are now available in the UK and there is a tool for every job. Jaap Sneeboer even made one for me some years back! These tools are not cheap, but neither is a Bentley and they are real enthusiasts that also make wonderful presents. The spade shown right is a rather chunky tool but Sneeboer also have smaller and lightweight ladies forks, spades and hoes. * as the forks are stainless steel and not solid forged do not buy them if you have hard or stony soil. see below
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See the Sneeboer Stainless Steel Transplanting Spade
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Non solid forged Stainless Steel Forks and Spades Stainless steel digging tools look better and are easier to slide into the ground than painted or rust covered tools. However they are NOT as strong as the boring looking solid forged tools so take care to only use them in good soil for gardening - not building work. I have used a set of these Spear and Jackson Neverbend stainless tools for many years and they are about as good as you can get - and not made in England. Now Bulldog with the help of Alan Titchmarsh have made some even better tools with soft grip handles and foot treads for more comfort and safety.
Buy border or full size versions
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My old S&J Neverbend stainless tools
The new Bulldog Alan Titchmarsh Stainless Steel forks and spades have foot treads on the spades and more comfortable soft grip handles. |
If you are thinking of buying some expensive tools and want some help, you can e mail me at fred@fredshed.com. Likewise if you have had an expensive tool break then I would like to know. (unless you were lifting paving slabs with it!)
BEST OF BRITISH - FRED'S GUIDE TO BUYING British Made FORKS AND SPADES
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Bulldog Premier Fork and Spade The classic British gardening tool And the only fully forged tools made in Britain
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British and Solid Forged - When Only The Best Will Do
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Bulldog made Irish Spades and Irish Shovels in a range of handle shapes and sizes
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WHAT IS REALLY BRITISH ? Wilksinson Sword - American owned - forks and spades made in far east Spear & Jackson - American owned -tools made in India or far east Caldwells - Bankrupt in 2009 - acquired by Bulldog Bulldog -YES 100% British Owned Most tools made in Wigan, some in Far East (stainless mostly)
click here for my special page on Bulldog British made Garden Tools Best Value Irish Spade
D or T handle, Made in Eire too!
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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.
Solid forged forks always cost more than spades as there is a lot more skilled work involved in making them. The Bulldog Evergreen Range are the best value of the top quality solid forged tools Please come back and use my links if you are purchasing garden tools and help me to help Bulldog keep making British tools in Britain!
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Spear & Jackson E-Series Tools A modern design with a oversize, soft feel handle. Spear & Jackson is an American owned company based in Sheffield UK.. Sadly Spear & Jackson closed their Wednesbury UK forge in 2005 so now these tools are made in India or the Far East. I really liked the large handles on these innovative tools and the stirrup design does seem to give you more impact when digging. The downside is that the tool is heavier than traditional designs and the fork in particular will not be as strong as my favourite Bulldog solid forged ones More details on the Spear & Jackson E-series Spade
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WEST COUNTRY SHOVEL Known to some people as the Cornish Spade this tool is slightly wider and flatter than the Irish Spade 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. Tried and tested over centuries, the only thing I don't like about the West country shovel is the sharp corners so make sure you wear strong boots that cover your ankles when you use it.
The Bulldog shovel is British made, the Faithful open socket shovel is the cheaper option and spare handles are available too. Sizes are approximately the same and the tools weight about 2kg.
IRISH SHOVEL Similar to the West Country Shovel but is narrower so better for digging holes.
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Irish and West Country shovels are stamped out from a thick sheet of steel and have an open socket where the handle slides in.
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more E mails about broken forks than any other tool, this is because there
are so many inferior quality tools of this type in the shops. Also to be
fair to the manufacturers some people try to use a garden fork when they
should be using a pick-axe or mattock. see www.get-digging.co.uk
If you want really strong forks and spades,my advice is to ONLY BUY FORKS THAT HAVE BEEN HOT SOLID FORGED. Also take care when buying Stainless Steel. Only one company makes solid forged stainless steel and generally speaking this metal is not as suited to making large forks, normal carbon steel is stronger, easier to forge and less likely to break in difficult conditions like heavy soil or when digging near roots. Solid forged tools are lighter AND stronger as they are made from one piece of metal. For personal advice on how to buy the right fork or spade e mail me at fred@fredshed.com |
Special spades and forks for Digging without bending
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Breaking News The obsolete Wolf Terrex Autospade has a replacement from a new company and has even been improved! After many years absence the incredible autospade has been revived and is available now for UK delivery The new version is available with carbon steel OR stainless steel spade head and has stronger springs. my prices include delivery, and a free, interchangeable, carbon steel fork head! Carbon Steel Spade £96 Stainless Spade £106 click here to buy from my page on alternative digging tools
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Non solid forged Extra Long Lightweight Forks and Spades Fiskars have made tools like this for many years and have now improved the design further with even longer handles. The oval section shaft makes this possible without introducing a weakness and they back this up with a 10 year warranty. other nice features are treads on the spade , a curve at the bottom of the shaft and a comfy grip handle. The total length 4of the tool is 1.25m so is ideal for the taller gardener.
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What's this? It's a Spork which is a fork/spade hybrid tool that was designed by my friend Robert Todd see my page on spork garden tools
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See the best forks and spades available in the USA
use the link below to find and buy other tools from Amazon in the USA and also support this site, thanks, Fred
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IF YOU FIND THIS PAGE USEFUL PLEASE CONSIDER RETURNING AND USING MY LINKS WHEN MAKING YOUR PURCHASE AS THIS HELPS TO PAY FOR MY WORK AND THE COST OF RUNNING THIS SITE.
AS WELL AS TESTING EVERYTHING I HAVE ALSO CAREFULLY SELECTED THE BEST SUPPLIERS SO YOU WON'T GET FOBBED OFF WITH CHEAP TOOLS AND BAD SERVICE.
THANKS
FRED-IN-THE-SHED
See My New Page - Fred's Top 10 Practical Gifts
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