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Best Fork & Spade to Gift a Gardener

bev.obrienbev.obrien Posts: 2
in Tools and techniques
Hi All,  looking for the best fork and spade to gift a gardener - i was thinking spear & Jackson or Burgon & Ball as they look lovely and also seem very sturdy but what would  all recommend ?  I'd rather pay a decent price if it's worth it.  I did have a look at bulldog but they don't look so nice to gift!

Thanks in advance.

Posts

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 11,443
    A lovely idea Bev  :)
    One thing l would say is to bear in mind the weight of both the spade and fork, they can vary tremendously. 
    It also depends on whether you are buying for a man or woman or maybe someone who can't cope with a really heavy item. I would strongly advise going to a garden centre and trying them out, preferably with the person you are buying for if at all possible. It's a really personal choice in my opinion.
    If not l use similar to these these by Kent and Stowe
    https://marshallsgarden.com/products/kent-and-stowe-garden-life-digging-spade-and-fork-duo-10907120

    Before these l had Spear and Jackson but they were years old and l'm not sure if they're still made in the UK anymore.
  • bev.obrienbev.obrien Posts: 2
    Thanks so much, it’s for capable male so weight should be ok - I love the set you linked me to and currently on my list.

    longevity and sturdiness important :)
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,293
    Since Bulldog subcontracted their forging to India there is only one spade manufacturer in the UK now, Richard Carter, and they are geared more towards contractors rather than gardeners.

    If money really is not a significant concern, take a look at Sneeboer. They are usually regarded as the premium manufacturer. I also like deWit tools.
    Rutland, England
  • LunarSeaLunarSea Posts: 1,441
    Hi Bev,
    I would also recommend Kent & Stowe. I compared several in the garden centre because I'm over six foot and was looking for a longer shaft than the old one I'd used for years. I'd particularly recommend getting stainless steel if you can afford it.
    Clay soil - Cheshire/Derbyshire border - where old gardeners wet their plants.
  • PerkiPerki Posts: 2,368
    Bulldog they are in a different league to S&J and B&B not that these a bad brands and poorly made, I have a really nice Burgon & Ball bulb planter that I've planted 1000's of bulbs with , I got S&J spades and other gear off them. I 've lost count how many spades I've got but without doubt bulldog spades are better than the other ones. 
  • westcountrycatwestcountrycat Posts: 8
    Perki,  these ones?  https://www.bulldogtools.co.uk/product-page/digging-spade  look nice, currently deciding between these and the Kent & Stowe :) 
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,058
    Bulldog for me too, have broken and bent too many other ‘top quality’ brands to mention. I have tough, stony clay soil though and am not as careful with my tools as I should be. If the recipient has lovely, loose, loamy soil they may not need something as tough and heavy duty. Their height is important regarding shaft length, so if you can, find an assistant in a GC of a similar height get them to advise you what is comfortable for them. If it’s too short it’s a killer on the back. Too long is also problematic.
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,330
    I've had a Bulldog spade and fork for many years and rate them very highly.
    I have the ones with the ash handles.
    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Chris-P-BaconChris-P-Bacon Posts: 943
    FWIW I use Kent & Stowe both in my garden and at work.. more than happy with them.
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