Basic question about forks

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by bluepeter, Jul 17, 2020.

  1. bluepeter

    bluepeter Gardener

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2020
    Messages:
    32
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Salisbury
    Ratings:
    +15
    Could someone please explain to me the difference, in practical terms, between a digging fork and a border fork? Which should I buy, and why? I've seen both offered for sale, but my untrained eye can't tell the difference!

    Are any brands particularly good value or particularly bad quality?
     
  2. Clare G

    Clare G Super Gardener

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2017
    Messages:
    626
    Gender:
    Female
    Location:
    London UK
    Ratings:
    +1,707
    Border forks should be that bit smaller and lighter. As an average-sized woman I use mine for any digging too - it's a better fit for my hands and feet. A larger person may still find one useful for working in confined areas - like plant-filled borders, hence the name!

    I think hand tools are one of those purchases where you need to see and handle the goods in real life - feel whether the weight and balance as well as the quality are right for you. Time for a visit to a garden centre, perhaps? If cost is a consideration, wait until Lidl and Aldi have gardening tool special offers - as my neighbour says "Germans won't buy bad tools" and the quality of any I've bought in my local Lidl has always been sound, despite the low price.
     
    • Informative Informative x 2
    • Like Like x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • bluepeter

      bluepeter Gardener

      Joined:
      Jul 15, 2020
      Messages:
      32
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Retired
      Location:
      Salisbury
      Ratings:
      +15
      @Clare G Thank you. That's helpful. It sounds as if a border fork is the thing to buy now, then. That's much what I was thinking I'd probably want, but at least I now have some reasoning.
       
      • Friendly Friendly x 1
      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

        Joined:
        Jan 9, 2005
        Messages:
        47,702
        Gender:
        Male
        Occupation:
        Retired
        Location:
        Mid Kent
        Ratings:
        +84,327
        My personal hate, regarding fork and spades is stainless steel.
        Not worth the extra cost.

        But if you want one to last go for a good one, the real cheap ones are inclined to bend.
         
        • Like Like x 1
        • CarolineL

          CarolineL Total Gardener

          Joined:
          Jun 12, 2016
          Messages:
          1,597
          Gender:
          Female
          Occupation:
          Retired Software engineer
          Location:
          Rural Carmarthenshire
          Ratings:
          +4,304
          Or they shear - I've broken a tine more than once on border forks by trying something too big.
           
          • Like Like x 1
          • Agree Agree x 1
          • bluepeter

            bluepeter Gardener

            Joined:
            Jul 15, 2020
            Messages:
            32
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            Retired
            Location:
            Salisbury
            Ratings:
            +15
            Well, for what it's worth, I went to the garden centre this afternoon and bought a Wilkinson Sword border fork. Let's see how it copes!
             
            • Like Like x 2
            • pete

              pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

              Joined:
              Jan 9, 2005
              Messages:
              47,702
              Gender:
              Male
              Occupation:
              Retired
              Location:
              Mid Kent
              Ratings:
              +84,327
              Broke two S/S ones up till now, never again.
              If you look the nasty plastic handle has bent as well. DSC_0350.JPG
               
              • Like Like x 1
              • NigelJ

                NigelJ Total Gardener

                Joined:
                Jan 31, 2012
                Messages:
                6,042
                Gender:
                Male
                Occupation:
                Mad Scientist
                Location:
                Paignton Devon
                Ratings:
                +20,947
                I bought a Bulldog fork and spade 30 years ago, when I got my first garden. Wooden handled, one piece forged heads still going strong. Looked at stainless steel and other handle types, but they didn't feel right. They were in a sale 30% off, so I got a good pair of loppers as well.
                Since then I've added a Boarder fork, another garden spade, a wire tined grass rake and a Dutch hoe all from Bulldog had no problems with any of them. Picked the last four items up from 2nd hand stalls, spade, rake and hoe barely used about £5 each.
                 
                • Like Like x 1
                Loading...

                Share This Page

                1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                  By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                  Dismiss Notice