New spade needed

[defenderben]

Hi All
Had a day out today on really heavy boggy ground and managed to do my stainless steel (ladies/small type) spade in, I've broken its back for the last time, it now just keeps bending back on its self. It lasted 18months of hard labour so now need a new one.
Ideally something smallish do not want to drag a full size spade. Has anyone got any reccomendations on decent replacement (tis christmas) so got the wifes permission

Regards
Ben

[jim k]

if it lasted 18 months hard labour id get another

[Tony Hunt]

Get a good one like a wilkinson sword stainless. They very often have a lifetimes guarantee on them that way you can keep taking them back if they bend. Make sure you keep the packaging off them that says lifetimes guarantee. We do it all the time on tools we use on the nursery, specially things like pruning shears. Buy a cheap one you will always get trouble.

[nellie1973]

Fiskers digging border spade. £20 at B and Q. Very good and durable with one of those "leverage" handles.

I am a digging "ape" and a little heavy handed, works well for me! Not broke it yet!

[marcinch1979]

if You need something strong go for Fiskars

[Steve_T]

Use a S & Jackson stainless steel spade it's been good to me but Fiskars have a superb name.

[defenderben]

Hi all
Thanks for the info, looks like it's a new Friskars jobbie for me this Christmas. Looking online the Friskars shaft is well and truly welded to the spade head and lower down the head, which is the weak point that mine has broken on.
Being 6'4" and 18 stone I tend to be a bit heavy handed and bent the back of my last one too many times causing it to fracture and turn into a flip flop.
Season's Greetings.
Ben

[rEDFOOT]

As you are probably going to cut down any border spade you buy guaratees will be voided any way Wilkinsons do a stainless steel border spade £15 it has a good timber handle or go for a draper mini shovel they seem popular and robust, me I use a Predator Raven an excellent digging tool

[Trotboy]

I heve never understood this 'cutting down' malarky - I have a Fiskars Border Spade with a lifetime guarantee and so far it's been outstanding. Nice and light, I regularly lever out sods on pasture at almost full depth, couldn't do that with a cut down one! On ploughed it doesn't make any difference anyway.

[defenderben]

Hi All
Well that is another dead spade in record time, bought it on 27/12/11 and it snapped in half today. Luckily it was a "Joseph Bently" stainless steel jobbie with a lifetime warranty. Got my money back now looking at the spade you mentioned mr Trotboy, but B&Q have stopped stocking any Friskars spades said they have had too many broken returns??
Had to borrow my mates little s/s mini spade and that was useless.
Back on the look out again.

Ben

[dave9]

I use in my job and for detecting all the time an old (Rabbiting spade) Some people call them (Gripping spades)Mine is 50+ years old.It is light and made out of top quality (old steel)I have had a couple of wooden shafts over the years but find it spot on.You might find one in (farm sales,auction sales,second hand shops etc.For about 10-15 quid you wont be disappointed in my view,good luck

[socket]

I use the Roughneck small pointed shovel. They have a lifetime guarantee. I got one over 18months ago but it split. I got a second one for a spare, or when my better half decides to have a dig.


Anyway, my original one split across the metal shovel section.

So anyway I contacted Roughneck.

They wanted me to post the broken shovel down to them and 'might' replace said shovel. Probably cost £10 to post the £10 shovel, so I then contacted who I bought the shovel off, Screwfix, and they got me a new one in the post within 48hrs and no messing about with the broken shovel !

Can't fault that for service.

[DDazzzle]

Ben, Have a look at Bulldogtools, go to farming/spades on their website , rabbiting spades come with various handle types around £30 from farm suppliers

[Iron Mask]

Give me some suggestions for a perfect spade. I may be looking for a new product to sell. Spade should be easy enough.
What material?
What type of handle? One piece? Multi?
What width? Shape? Etc etc....
Or some pics of one you would like but the current one is too expensive. Maybe be able to do a similar one but better and cheaper.
Throw some ideas at me....

[Turbo-beal]

Ben, Have a look at Bulldogtools, go to farming/spades on their website , rabbiting spades come with various handle types around £30 from farm suppliers

That is what I use and it's the best spade I have ever used and Super strong being that it's forged steel. The only two mods I have done is smoothed the handle as it was quite rough and welded two pieces of flat bar to the spade edges as I was finding my boots getting mashed. Not the lightest spade going but will last I grantee.