Stainless digging spade

[Pickle]

 Hi folks :) ,
         I need to get myself a new digging spade so I thought about a stainless job , any thoughts on which make may be best. I want to spend about 30 quid and I want it to give me good service as my bulldog did[28 years] :(.

Pickle. ;D

[Pickle]

[markfield rover]

I like my Spear and Jackson, it might be worth seeing if' Gardening Which' has done a recent report.

[Tee Gee]

Get one with a wooden handle/ shaft.

I bought one that had a hollow shaft and it gave up after a few years.

Quite often the shaft is mild steel coated with a pvc coating.

I found that the water got in around the ferrule into the tube and rotted the tube from within.

It finally gave way at the rivet joining the stainless steel part to the tube.

Luckily I was able to have a wooden handle fitted to the spade which was perfectly OK

[tim]

I just LOVE my really oldie worldy Bentley tools.

http://www.josephbentley.co.uk/Tools1.html

Garden Centres stock them now.

[Kea]

There was a review in one of the magazines recently but I can't remember which...though I have it I can't seem to find it and they recommended several. Some one else may have the magazine and be able to tell you which was recommended. The 'orange one' was favoured by the ladies but I can't remember what it was.

 

[Kea]

Yes the Bentley ones were recommended.

[tim]

Bentley was a Which Best Buy.

Their Apprentice line is great for the Girls.

[Gazfoz]

Is it possible to spend 30 quid on a spade?

[sheddie]

Spear and Jackson stainless steel spades are pretty good. You can get one on Ebay for just under 20 quid:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Spear-Jackson-Stainless-Steel-Garden-Spade_W0QQitemZ380006237518QQihZ025QQcategoryZ29516QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD10VQQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p1638.m127

sheddie

[redimp]

I've got this S&J set:

from here:
http://www.cmsgardens.co.uk/tools.htm
I have bent one of my digging fork tines but apart from that, they are really good tools.  When I need to replace, I will get the same or the Bentley equivalents which I also really like the look and feel of.

Going to get my daughter the kid's Bentley ones which are exactly the same as the adult ones but smaller.

PS - where do I get my tine straightened out.  I am currently using an old S&J Carbon Steel one whilst my Stainless one is out of action.

[Pickle]

Some great comments and I will look at all your suggestions before I buy. Im not sure about a girly spade, though my lady will dig as I do with a full size spade. As for repairing your fork tine redclanger I took mine into the local agricultural engineers and they sorted it out for me for just a drink to the guy who straightened it.
Will let you know later what I've spent my hard earned on.

        Cheers Pickle  ;D

[Mammoth Onion]

I've a B&Q  stainless spade and have used it quite abit without any problems! It cost alot less than £30 ;D

[tim]

'Kid's' size, Clanger? Just great for the border &/or the aged!!

[redimp]

So my daughter can use them till she gets too big, then I can put them to one side for (just!! :() a couple of years before they come in handy again.  Sounds a bit like that joke about life being symmetrical. ;D

[Pickle]

Hi, ;)
     Well I've spent my dosh and bought a Vintage range stainless spade with a "D" ash handle.It seems well balanced and not over heavy,will know better as I use it ,with a ten year guarantee from Wyevale garden center.Cost £19.99 so I've saved a bit on my budget. :D
Pickle. ;D