This new longer handled trowel compliments the tried and tested little hand fork from Sneeboer tools of Holland.

Sneeboer tools have been around for generations but have only recently found there way to these shores as quality garden tools get harder to find.

The fork and trowel shown right are hand crafted from a special type of stainless steel and have seasoned Ash handles. I will also be testing many other Sneeboer tools including Mattocks and large digging tools.

Using hand crafted quality garden tools is a revelation and helps make your whole gardening experience more enjoyable. The tines of the fork are extra strong and the flat profile helps lift more soil.

The Ultimate trowel is longer and thinner than normal and just what you need to dig small planting holes with ease and less bending.

see the Sneeboer Ultimate Flowerbed Trowel

see the Sneeboer Stainless Steel hand fork

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 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 know this is the real Mcoy and will treasure it and take pride in the work you do with.

Sneeboer tools are now available in the UK and the range is enormous, 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 and professionals tools. They also make wonderful presents.

The fork and spade shown right are quite chunky tools but Sneeboer also have smaller and lightweight ladies forks, spades and hoes.

See the new Sneeboer Stainless Steel Digging Fork

See the Sneeboer Stainless Steel Transplanting Spade

Felco Professional Secateurs

Made in Switzerland

When you have hundreds of roses to prune it is essential that you take precautions to protect your hands from repetitive strain injury.

The Felco professional secateurs have a rotating lower handle that requires less effort and reduces ligament strain. RRP £49.99

 * If you suffer from arthritis or more serious conditions then you might want to consider ratchet pruners.

Very occasionally even Felco bring out a new product and this time its a cut and hold pruner that is great for one handed work when you need to reach or stretch or hold onto something. If you watch any TV gardening program you rarely see anyone using anything other than a Felco Secateur.

Buy the classic Felco secateur from Amzon.co.uk

buy Felco secatuers online from another discount supplier

A budget price alternative to Felco secateurs

best buy quality pruners

These Swedish made ergonomic secateurs are my personal favourite bypass secateur and at about half the price of the Swiss Felco's they are a very good option.

The ergonomic handle shape is genuinely better to use and the Bahco PG range of secateurs come in a wide range of sizes. The pair featured here and used by myself are the PG -M2-E model which is medium sized, economy version. ( no frills just built work -bit like me)

Bahco make the widest range of secateurs and cutting tools of any manufacturer and all spare parts are available which is why Bahco cutting tools are very popular with professional gardeners.

Another reason I like to recommend these secateurs is that if you lose them the low replacement cost will not be too painful.

Or buy my fredshed diamond sharpener for knives and secateurs

see www.fredshed.co.uk/specialdeals.htm

These  loppers made by Wolf Tools are the  telescopic loppers that I  recommend for serious work based on 5 years of hard work with them. They genuinely cut a  40mm branch with ease and have an easy adjustment method.

The difference between these and other telescopic loppers is that the handles are oval in section and are stronger than round section handles. Also these handles lock in position with a sliding catch with a locating pin. Inferior telescopic handles twist to lock - most of the time!

Wolf RS650T Anvil telescopic Lopper,  RRP £55

(Similar models now available form Gardena)

Whilst ratchet loppers sound like a good idea and many work well, they are prone to breaking if used incorrectly. If you are a professional gardener it is likely that you will use hired help, and they may not take the best care of your tools.

Simple and strong loppers are better for constant use by a variety of people.

The Wolf RS870 expert anvil loppers cut an amazing 50mm thanks to slider on the handle that opens the blade just that bit further and provides more leverage. RRP £70

Bahco (Sandvik)  also make top quality Loppers that are widely used by contractors and professionals

Click to buy Bahco loppers from Amazon.co.uk

Click to see prices of Wolf Loppers from Fredshed's recommended supplier

When it comes to blade quality I don't think anyone beats Bahco.

The tools are not cheap but are sensibly priced compared to other high quality brands. Also the range of Bahco pruning saws is the most extensive and offers the widest choice to the professional gardener

My favourite, for efficiency  - is the  Bahco 5128 pruning saw which comes with a leg holster. The folding laplander model has a coated blade and is more convenient to use and store.

The Pruning saw is designed to get into hard to reach areas and give an precise clean cut to help prevent disease entering the plant.

folding pruning saws are also available but I find they flex a little and do not cut as quickly as a fixed blade model.

This Bahco Bowsaw is the most destructive,  cost effective garden tools available.

For a few quid and a bit of effort you can prune or clear tress and shrubbery in rapid time. Its a lot easier to start than a chainsaw and makes a good back up tool if you have one.

Bahco Bowsaws come in a wide range of sizes with replacement blades costing as little as £1.

Even if you have a chainsaw you should also have a bowsaw as a backup in case of failure. Also if you are working in areas were people don't want noise or you are using unskilled labour to help you.

I have many forks and spades out on long term test with full time professional gardeners. Used properly any of the solid forged tools should last for years.

In my opinion the best you can get is a Bulldog Premier Fork and Spade. If you want an even stronger one get a "strapped" version. These are pretty rugged tools made in Wigan and might have a few rough edges that put some buyers off and I agree they dont "look" as good as Stainless steel tools.

You might be surprised to know that stainless steel forks are not as strong as carbon steel ones. Stainless steel is easier to push in and out of sticky soil but remember it is less robust than normal forged steel and may bend or break in stony ground.

see tradesecrets for BSI strength testing of forks and spades.

 see the largest range of garden forks online

There is only one factory left in the UK making solid forged Forks and Spades.

This factory is in Wigan and is owned by Bulldog Tools.

Spear & Jackson is a US Owned company with all garden tools now made in the far east

Wilkinson Sword is owned by Fiskars of Finland and has no UK manufacturing.

Caldwells is still British owned but does not have a UK forge.

Stainless steel is not always stainless or the best

I only recommend using stainless tools in good soil

When I say I test forks and spades I mean I test forks AND spades

lots of them - for many years now

For digging holes, removing deep rooted shrubs and for shovelling heaps of compost, an Irish spade is a much easier tool to use than a traditional English spade.

When it comes to shovelling and digging no-one does  it more or better than the Irish. The Irish spade is also known as the Cornish spade and they did a bit of digging too.

 If you want to save your back and get more done then try an Irish spade. The long handle gives you more reach with less bending and the ground point breaks into solid ground more easily.

  for the best available in 2 handle lengths - £27 and £28  inc postage (UK only)

e-mail fred@fredshed.com

The Mattock or (Azada in Spain) is the most commonly used horticultural tool in the world. They come in range of sizes and can be like a pick, shovel  or  fork, or both!

The Mattock is particularly useful in heavy clay soil, or stony ground where even the best  traditional fork and spade is likely to bend or break. It can also be easier to use for people with back problems as it requires less bending to use - the soil is pulled up instead of lifted.

I have found a wide range of mattocks available that can be delivered to your door from £22

e-mail fred@fredshed.com

The best Lawn Edging Shears

Lawn edging shears are simple tools that have been around for hundreds of years with few changes. I have tested dozens of pairs and gave one of my coveted Golden Shed Awards to the lightweight Aluminium handled CK legend lawn edging shears.

I think these shears arte the best because they are light, have longer handles and a better cut than any others I have used. They are made in Germany so are a bit pricey but will last a lifetime if kept oiled and adjusted regularly.

click for latest price on CK Legend Lawn Edging Shears

The best quality hedge shear

For unrivalled quality and longevity the Golden Ceka shears from Germany is hard to beat but is a very heavy tool.

If you want something with similar performance but lighter and with more size options then Bahco shears are the ones to get and are used professional gardeners worldwide.

The benchmark professional shear is the P51 shear shown below, it also comes with longer handles and budget versions too.

Being a wheelchair user for 20 years I do not claim to be an expert on modern petrol chainsaws. I have used them before I was in a wheelchair and know how scary and dangerous they can be.

In the UK there is an overwhelming consensus amongst tree surgeons that the best make is Stihl . They are powerful, reliable, come in a wide range and the spares are stocked by virtually every garden machinery dealer.

For small branch work or tidying up I like this professional quality cordless chainsaw from Makita of Japan. It is quick and easy to use and runs off 12v rechargeable batteries. The light weight, easy controls and low speed make it safer to use than a petrol chainsaw.

Cordless Electric Chainsaw and pole

Many of my readers are professional landscapers and have purchased this small battery powered chainsaw for quick and safe pruning of lower branches. the optional telescopic handle is ideal for fast pruning work without the need for ropes and ladders.

I gave the Makita/Dolmar cordless chainsaw a Golden Shed Award and have used one for 3 years.

E-mail me at fred@fredshed.com for more details or see

www.fredshed.co.uk/makitacordlesschainsaw.htm