Quality Hand Tools

[vaca]

Hi,

I've been trying to find 'quality' tools but have been out of luck. I've been using a Spears and Jackson trowel with a plastic handle, and the handle split at the base. Bought a trowel with a wood handle and this one is bending at the join with the handle. My weeding fork's tines also bend easily. I bought a bulb planter from homebase and its' handle bent after planting about 60 seedlings.  >:(

Where do you buy quality tools (like the ones they 'used' to make)? I'm sick of sub-standard tools, some of which were not cheap. I'm now having to borrow tools from my neighbours - their tools are old and sturdy and seem to have been in use for 50 years or more. Short of scouring garage and boot sales, who is still making good tools?

Also, one of the small weeding forks I borrowed from a Jamaican neighbour, had it's flat tines twisted over 90 degrees around their axis - looked just like an ordinary hand fork, but with 4 tines instead of 3, and had much narrower tines. Since the tines were twisted, it was much easier to work with. Any idea where I could pick one of these up from? unfortunatley the person who lent it to me is 78 years old and has no idea how or when he came about it... probably 50 years ago and handed down from someone in his family  ;)

Thanks,
Vaca

[vaca]

[Georgie]

Hi Vaca.  I don't own any of these tools myself but I'm thinking of adding one or two of them to my Christmas wish list.   ;D

http://www.harrodhorticultural.com/HarrodSite/category/Garden+Tools%5FSneeboer+Hand+Tools/

G x

[Melbourne12]

Sneeboer are lovely, but quite expensive.  We use mostly Spear and Jackson "Neverbend", which has a 25 year guarantee, and although they're simple designs, they're strongly built and very serviceable.

[Chocolate]

Our local tip has a large tub with all the gardening equipment that you could need. Some of them are old but serviceable, they ask a pound for each item. It may be worth popping in to see if they've got what you need.

[tim]

Bought a Yeoman trowel & fork for Wife - nice looking & comfortable to hold.

She's not that strong at her age, & the trowel broke at the weld on its first use!!

[markyb23]

I like the Wolf hand tools.Not cheap, but, they are pretty solid and you can use different sized handles with them.

[artichoke]

I haunt  our weekly market (Battle) and have some really excellent tools of the old-fashioned kind for a pound or three, including the first longhandled edge trimmer I have ever had (£3). I actively enjoy edging the plot now - that lovely crunch as the blades slice effortlessly through the tussocks is addictive. Smooth polished (by age, not tin of something...) handles, a joy to use. No more crouching on my knees with a rusty kitchen knife (actually my favourite tool).

I avoid the stall selling tools as "antiques". I was intrigued by the shape and design of a dandelion puller, but it was £20.

[euronerd]

I'll go along with artichoke. Most of mine have now been replaced with very old ones from car boot sales or farm sales. There's something very satisfying in using these old-timers, and the fact that they're still around is enough to let you know they're not going to fail you when the pressure's on. Guarantees are all very good, but if the first one failed, then you're not going to feel very confident using its replacement.

Aside: I also have an ancient multi bladed rotating edge trimmer that you simply push along with its giant tee handle, and I haven't even got any edges. Wonderful stuff. ;D

Geoff.

[Merry Tiller]

I have a "Neverbend" stainless fork, the handle busted within 2 weeks, mind you the fork itself didn't bend. ;D Actually it was a blessing, the new handle I fitted is 4 inches longer and much more comfortable for my back 8)

[saddad]

OH got one with a lifetime guarantee, and broke it within two months, at 5'2" and under 8 stone it was hardly put under undue strain!
>:(

[vaca]

OH got one with a lifetime guarantee, and broke it within two months, at 5'2" and under 8 stone it was hardly put under undue strain!
>:(

I wonder who actually makes a claim against warranty to get a new tool... I think most of these warranties are there just for 'marketing' reasons. They full well know that their tools can't possibly last 25 years...

Anyways, thanks so much for your replies! I really like those Sneboer tools  :) :) might just have to splash out on a trowel and a two pronged fork weeder tool - looks just too inviting - shame about the price though, but I guess you get what you pay for.

thanks again,
Vaca