Best Garden Tools - Shovels and Spades?

[EViS]

What are the best shovels and spades for garden and building work in terms of value for money and quality?

Spear & Jackson appear everywhere, but do they offer the best value for money and quality out of all the brands? Their range is enormous for a start!

Should I opt for a steel, timber or a more expensive polyfibre shaft?

 

[joe-90]

Considering you'll only have to buy it every 30 years I'd opt for something good. Personally I like stainless steel and timber but it's a personal thing.

 

[ladylola]

I have a spade with a very long handle. With the tip of the blade sitting on the floor the end of the handle is at shoulder height and when it first came out of the van there were a few chuckles. However, after a few of my mates had tried it out they all loved it and hogged it a bit , the length makes working so much easier.
I'd go for the stainless too although steel is fine as long as you remember to clean and oil the blade.

 

[EViS]

Would you recommend steel, wood or polyfibre shafts?

 

[ladylola]

Not really a lot in it in my opinion.
Steel tends to be colder to use in the winter.
I haven't a great experience with fibreglass except on a sledge that still broke and thus wasn't repairable.
Wood is what I tend to prefer, I find them comfortable and the tool can be repaired. Funnily enough the spade with the long handle is actually shafted with what used to be an old mine ramrod.

 

[ntb]

Bulldog are about the only remaining British manufacturer i.e. making them here rather than putting a badge on some Chinese garbage. For quality, you really want to be looking for a forged blade, not welded or pressed. You could do a lot worse than to look for old vintage British tools, most of the new stuff is far eastern crap even if it looks shiny and nice.

My spade and shovel are Elwell handed down from my grandfather and I expect they'll see me out.

 

[EViS]

I've purchased the following fork, spade and shovel. I expect them to last a life time!

1 x BULLDOG Premier Garden Fork, Ash shaft, 4 prong, Ash YD Handle 32 Inch (813mm) Shaft (BUL5704043220) @ £51.30
1 x BULLDOG Premier Digging Spade, Ash Shaft, Flat Treaded, Metal YD Handle, 28 inch (BUL5610012850) @ £38.40
1 x BULLDOG Premier Square Mouth Shovel Solid Forged, Ash Shaft, No.2 MYD Handle (BUL5202022850) @ £35.98

 

[r896neo]

the bulldog premier stuff is by a stretch the best i have found

 

[EViS]

I just couldn't decide on whether to opt for a plastic, metal or timber handle. Metal seems like the best of both worlds, despite it being another connection between the shaft and the blade.

 

[r896neo]

I use the wooden shaft ones as its easier to replace a wooden shaft or at least butcher one to fit. I must have 4/5 shovel heads in the shed.

 

[Glenbirnie]

Spear and Jackson are sh*te! Ive used them for years and broke many of their forks. Recently snapped a stainless fork, new design concept were your foot goes in the middle of the fork and the handle splits and is welded to the left and right of the fork blade not the centre as normal.

I believe Bulldog are good. Im on the look out for a good solid fork. Id only use spear and jackson for very light duty pottering about the garden and hence wont eve buy their full size spades and forks again.