Light stainless Steel Border Spade

Discussion in 'Tools And Equipment' started by wiseowl, Aug 2, 2014.

  1. wiseowl

    wiseowl Amicable and friendly Admin Staff Member

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    Good afternoon ,I have just broken my dear old trusty border spade,could anyone please recommend a strong,light stainless steal border spade,it will be used frequently,thank you:smile:
     
    wiseowl, Aug 2, 2014
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  2. pete

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

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    I've had two stainless steel forks and broke both of them, now using normal forged steel.

    Stainless steel is great for ceremonial tree planting:biggrin:
     
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      pete, Aug 2, 2014
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    • wiseowl

      wiseowl Amicable and friendly Admin Staff Member

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      Hi Pete I find that as I have 90% clay it doesn't stick to the spade ,and if you can't offer me any constructive suggestions ? talk about call a spade a spade, :lunapic 130165696578242 5: sorry just couldn't resist that my friend;)

      This is my disclaimer:old:
      No offence intended:heehee: enjoy your evening:smile:
       
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        wiseowl, Aug 2, 2014
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      • pete

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

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        I have clay with stones, I really dont think stainless steel is up to the job Woo
         
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          pete, Aug 2, 2014
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        • wiseowl

          wiseowl Amicable and friendly Admin Staff Member

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          Hi Pete OK I will go for normal forged steel thank you my friend,I will have a look on line:smile:
           
          wiseowl, Aug 2, 2014
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        • wiseowl

          wiseowl Amicable and friendly Admin Staff Member

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          Well I've certainly learnt something to day:smile:

          This hot solid forging technique makes the tool as strong as possible, and as importantly as light as possible. This is because the tool head is one piece of metal with the same crystalline structure. When metal is welded this changes and can introduce weakness in certain points

          Most forks and spades you find in shops and catalogues are not hot solid forged, they are pressed and/or welded. This is to cut costs , but results in an inferior tool.
           
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            wiseowl, Aug 2, 2014
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          • NigelJ

            NigelJ Total Gardener

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            @wiseowl
            I have Bulldog fork, boarder fork and digging spade and would recommend the brand to anyone. These are still forged in the old fashioned way and have lasted me for over 25 years. They are not cheap but you can easily pay more.
            http://www.bulldogtools.co.uk/
             
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              NigelJ, Aug 2, 2014
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            • wiseowl

              wiseowl Amicable and friendly Admin Staff Member

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              Good evening NigelJ and thank you my friend ,I will take a look at the Bulldog Brand:blue thumb::smile:
               
              wiseowl, Aug 2, 2014
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            • wiseowl

              wiseowl Amicable and friendly Admin Staff Member

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              Bulldog Forged Spade with extra long 32" handle at B/Q's £34.98:smile:
              [​IMG]
              [​IMG]
               
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              • rustyroots

                rustyroots Total Gardener

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                I have Joseph Bentley stainless and really like them. They also come with a 10 year guarantee.

                Rusty
                 
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                  rustyroots, Aug 3, 2014
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                • wiseowl

                  wiseowl Amicable and friendly Admin Staff Member

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                  Good morning Rustyroots many thanks for your invaluable post:blue thumb::smile:
                   
                  wiseowl, Aug 3, 2014
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                • Kristen

                  Kristen Under gardener

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                  I had a stainless steel spade, on clay, and thought it was the answer ... in fact I had it for many years until the blade snapped clean in two - couldn't believe it as I thought it was strong as a Ox ... obviously not.

                  Me too ...

                  Woo my answer to the clay sticking to blade is to carry a wall paper scraper in my back pocket and scrape off the sticky muck stuck to my spade every time I need to stand up straight and take a short break. Everyone around me thinks I am working really hard when in fact I'm on my break :)

                  I don't know if it is a better answer than stainless steel, but I can tell you that my spade is sharp, so it goes into the ground easily, has a thin blade (thinner than the photo you posted, that seems to have a bubbly surface??), is relatively light, and also has a right-angle edge along the top edge of the blade so it doesn't cut into the sole of my boots :)
                   
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                    Kristen, Aug 5, 2014
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                  • wiseowl

                    wiseowl Amicable and friendly Admin Staff Member

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                    Good morning Kristen and many thanks for the info my friend:smile:
                     
                    wiseowl, Aug 5, 2014
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