Spork Garden Tools tested and reviewed by Fred In The Shed

Spork Gardening Tools

The Rob Todd Organic range made by DeWit of Holland

Updated 28th February 2010

Spork Garden Tools - History & Background

The Spork is a hybrid garden tool invented by Robert Todd from Oxford England in 1992.

The first Spork was made from Stainless Steel and received some good publicity and was mainly sold to garden enthusiasts at shows and by mail order. As Fredshed is based in Oxford I was soon to meet the Inventor and become involved in testing and reviewing the Spork. Reader e-mails to Fredshed constantly praised the Spork and it was evident that the tool was developing a large and enthusiastic following, including myself. In 2003 I awarded the Spork one of my coveted Golden Shed Awards in recognition of it's excellent efficiency and the Inventors hard work.

The original Sporks were made in the Far East which presented some problems and also sadly the larger shops and retailers were reluctant to stock this radical looking tool. Subsequently production ceased and the Inventor lost a substantial investment, largely spent on patents and legal protection.

During the dark years when Sporks were not available Robert Todd worked on new improved versions and production techniques. This was helped by the involvement of the Dewit family from Holland who have been making top quality tools for several generations. Thanks to Robert Todd's ingenuity and the Dewit's manufacturing skills a new range of spork tools emerged in 2006.

Inventor Robert Todd with Dutch Manufacturer Sietse DeWit

Product Examples of Spork Gardening Tools

The new Spork range is made from carbon steel with a special burnished finish that protects the metal and allows it to blacken with age like the tools our grandfathers used.

The new Spork range has hardwood handles and are made in Holland by in the DeWit family factory.

The classic Spork is this large T handled version used for digging in gardens and allotments.

It is smaller than a full size fork but larger than a border fork. The advantage of a Spork is that it is light and strong and can lift more soil than a normal fork. It is also stronger than a normal fork as the tines are joined together.

In most soil the spork works like a spade, the exception being very light and sandy soil.

The new large size digging Spork has an 80cm ash shaft and T handle

head size 247mm * 155mm wide

the ultimate garden tool

guide price £65

Buy the large, T handled digging Spork from Fred's recommended supplier

This small hand spork is a super little tool and makes an ideal present for any gardener

Model 8330 Hand Spork

Overall Length 30cm

Head 12cm * 8cm

Buy a Handspork from Fred's recommended supplier

This Mattock Spork is brilliant in hard and stony soil and is an excellent too for back pain sufferers* to use .

This Mattock Spork is light, very strong and will cut through and rake away the toughest weeds.

The head is 15cm long * 12cm wide

Total length with Ash handle = 160cm

Model 8310 Mattock Spork

ALSO KNOWN AS THE PULL SPORK

Guide Price £45

Buy Spork Garden Tools from Fred's recommended supplier

The Sprake has the Spork's superb "portcullis tines" that break into hard soil and then tear it up during cultivation.

These "portcullis tines" built into a rake make an awesome tool that clears away the most embedded weeds including brambles and saplings.

This tool is unique and the most impressive garden hand tool I have seen in many years.

Model 8340 Sprake

£62.50 RRP

Buy Spork Garden Tools from Fred's recomended supplier

Sprake rake - clearance rake and soil rake in one!

The Sprake's sharp teeth will rip out any undergrowth including brambles and nettles

Another Unique tool from a British Garden tool Inventor - Me

BUY FRED'S ONION HOE

DIRECT FROM FRED

You can buy this carbon steel version made by Bulldog Tools direct from me - the inventor for £7.95 inc postage.

The metal parts are finished in the green colour of the Bulldog Premier Range and the handle is made from smoothly varnished wood with a leather hanging strap.

Click button below to buy direct from Fred

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e-mail if you want to send a cheque

£7.95 inc UK delivery