Long Handled Tools esp. Fork/Spade

[Peter Charles Fagg]

Hello from a newbie to the forum but gardening for the past 40 odd years.  Some years ago I purchased through the classifieds in "Gardeners World" from a company calling themselves "Clic", somewhere in Kent, a long handled pointed spade which is still giving me comfortable digging.  The long handle is exceptional help in standing upright when digging and I would like to purchase a fork as well but the company appear to have ceased trading.  Any ideas amongst the members for suppliers?  Regards Peter.

[Peter Charles Fagg]

[gavin]

Dunno if this is any help?  I was looking for scythes earlier this evening and bookmarked this site http://www.get-digging.co.uk/ - mostly azadas and mattocks, but long-handled tools as well.

All best - Gavin

[derbex]

I bought my long-handled spade from Notcutts in Camberley (they've other branches as well) -it was from their 'World Heritage' range and very reasonable.

Gavin, did you find a scythe? I'm thinking of buying one. Maybe from :

http://www.thescytheshop.co.uk/

Jeremy

[gavin]

Yes - I got one a while ago, Jeremy; a standard "English-pattern" scythe.  I love using it - far and away my favourite tool :-) ;  great for clearing long grass and overgrown parts of the plot.  It's quicker than a strimmer (especially if you include the time for oil changes, fuel blockages, dirty spark-plugs, and plain bloody-minded refusal to start :-)), and MUCH, MUCH more relaxed.

But I've managed to break the tip of the blade, so I was just looking around to see what was available. 

I got mine in an "old-fashioned" ironmongers in an agricultural town (Dugdales, in Skipton - wonderful shop! :-)).

I do like the sound of these Austrian scythes - I might just hang on to my present one for a year or two while I clear the rough stuff, and then replace it completely with one of these.

All best - Gavin

[Mrs Ava]

I inherited 2 sythes....ooeer....how I haven't lost a limb! :o

[Peter Charles Fagg]

Thankyou Gavin, that is just the sort of information I need.  Judging by the other messages I do not have weeds large enough to warrant purchasing a scythe!!!!  Regards Peter