Quality of garden tools
Andy Mabbett
out to try and by a border fork and border spade, in stainless steel.
First, I visited Homebase, who sell models made by Spear & Jackson; with
a moulded plastic handle. Around the inside of these handles is a seam
(imagine cutting the handle into two symmetrical halves, top to bottom,
in the same plane as the spade's blade) and in each case it was rough,
almost sharp, and very poorly finished. I should imagine it would only
take a short period of use for that to cause discomfort, if not injury.
I then tried a nearby garden centre, whose "Yeoman" tools exhibited
exactly the same symptoms.
Why on earth do they try to sell products like this; who on Earth would
buy them, and where can I get something made with a little more care?
(cross- posted)
--
Andy Mabbett
"If they censure you, they tell you to cut it out.
If they censor you, they just cut it out."
Janet Galpin and Oliver Patterson
> out to try and by a border fork and border spade, in stainless steel.
> First, I visited Homebase, who sell models made by Spear & Jackson; with
> a moulded plastic handle. Around the inside of these handles is a seam
> (imagine cutting the handle into two symmetrical halves, top to bottom,
> in the same plane as the spade's blade) and in each case it was rough,
> almost sharp, and very poorly finished. I should imagine it would only
> take a short period of use for that to cause discomfort, if not injury.
> I then tried a nearby garden centre, whose "Yeoman" tools exhibited
> exactly the same symptoms.
> Why on earth do they try to sell products like this; who on Earth would
> buy them, and where can I get something made with a little more care?
Last season we bought a stainless steel fork and spade from Wilko,
incredibly cheaply and have been quite happy with them. I've just
been to examine the handle for the seam Andy is complaining about.
Maybe we're less discriminating but it looks smooth to me. Perhaps in
this case, cheapest is best.
Janet G. S. Lincs
Nick Maclaren
Yeoman are a cheap and reliable brand. The problem is the iniquitous
and ubiquitous use of plasting in modern tools - it is virtually
impossible to mould plastic without creating such a seam, but it
should usually be unobtrusive.
It can be trimmed down carefully with a Stanley knife or similar;
do NOT try to sand it down, as plastic doesn't respond well to that.
Regards,
Nick Maclaren,
University of Cambridge Computing Service,
New Museums Site, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QG, England.
Email: nm...@cam.ac.uk
Tel.: +44 1223 334761 Fax: +44 1223 334679
Jon Hall
In the 'good old days' stainless steel tools were made in the uk
- excellent quality hand made etc. They were not cheap.
Along came the 'multiples' and got imports from china - the ones
you've come accross. Now very few people will pay the 'proper'
price for a UK made tool. THe 'yeoman' range was bought in by the
garden wholsalers to try and compete with the multiples -
although they probably come from the same place.
You may still find a decent one made by Wilkinson Sword or Fikars
(whatever they call themselves these days !)
Good Luck
Jonathan
--
Robert Hobden
made them in the UK , they were a present but I know they cost £100 each !!!
Thought the fork had been stolen last year and tried to replace it to be
told they don't make them any more,probably can't compete with cheap imports
when cost is more important than unseen quality.No plastic on my Fork and
Spade handles all wood with metal reinforcing.Visit some car boots,you may
pick up one at a price.
Bob.
Jon Hall <10055...@CompuServe.COM> wrote in message
news:7pogsv$2ua$1...@ssauraac-i-1.production.compuserve.com...
Keven
I've found the WICKS ones OK, I go in Friday night, and by Sunday there are
broken or bent, so the next Friday I go back, I've had a new fork and spade
every week for almost a year
K
Andy Mabbett <an...@pigsonthewing.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:hcUg2vAv...@pigsonthewing.demon.co.uk...
> Further to my urg post about blisters caused by digging; I've just been
> out to try and by a border fork and border spade, in stainless steel.
>
> First, I visited Homebase, who sell models made by Spear & Jackson; with
> a moulded plastic handle. Around the inside of these handles is a seam
> (imagine cutting the handle into two symmetrical halves, top to bottom,
> in the same plane as the spade's blade) and in each case it was rough,
> almost sharp, and very poorly finished. I should imagine it would only
> take a short period of use for that to cause discomfort, if not injury.
>
> I then tried a nearby garden centre, whose "Yeoman" tools exhibited
> exactly the same symptoms.
>
> Why on earth do they try to sell products like this; who on Earth would
> buy them, and where can I get something made with a little more care?
>
Anthony Milne
impossible to source (we have looked for three years to include such an item
in our mail order catalogue without success).
The best value for money hand tools we have found to date (although they do
not now make a stainless option) come from Bulldog. They are the last of the
English made (the foundry is in Wigan) gardening spade/fork manufacturers.
They are also now virtually the only spades and forks that are solid forged
i.e. the heads are made from one solid piece of steel therefore much
stronger than the welded together versions that come from the likes of Spear
and Jackson and Wilkinson Sword. They also come with hardwood 'D' shaped
handles that are comfortable to use.
If you are interested they are featured in our mail order catalogue (please
email me if you would like a copy) and on our web site www.queenswood.co.uk.
Tony Milne
(Managing Director - Queenswood Garden Products)
Simone
For handtools you cannot go wrong with Hortus Ornamenti - cannot find their
web address at this moment, but they have one, with the tools well illustrated.
Not cheap but comfortable even in my arthritic hands.
Andy Mabbett
<an...@pigsonthewing.demon.co.uk> writes
>I've just been
>out to try and by a border fork and border spade, in stainless steel.
Thanks to all for advice received.
I purchased a pair from Darlac, at the Birmingham Gardeners' Weekend,
yesterday. Made in China, they cost GBP 29.95 each, and have ash
handles. They do a full sized digging spade and fork (GBP 33 each), also
- and I was pleased to note that the top of the spade blade in each case
is turned through 90 degrees, to provide a "tread" to save wear and tear
on footwear.
Darlac (with whom I have no connection) do a range of other gardening
tools also, and have a mail order catalogue which can be obtained from :
Darlac Products
PO Box 996
Slough
SL3 9JF
Tel: 01753 547790
Fax: 01753 580524
Perhaps this might be added to the respective FAQs? (e-mailed to the
compilers)
paulw...@my-deja.com
http://www.hortus-ornamenti.co.uk/index.html
Having a "minor" tool obessession I had a look round. They are
hideously over-priced, and are definitely not the best I've seen.
The handles are the same "simple" shape as the cheapest tools.
If you look at old hand-tools, the handles swell back out, forming
a comfortable "waist" for your thumb and fingers.
The onion hoe has the blade "vertical" where it should lean
strongly towards the user (thus *cutting* weed roots, not dragging
soil). I own 3 vintage onion hoes, and all are at the same angle.
The daisy grunbber has a short shank, placing high
leverage in the wooden handle. Old tools had long
metal shanks.
In short, I think these tools are very shiny, very expensive,
and aimed squarely at the "luxury gift" market, not the
garden equipment market.
BugBear.
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Share what you know. Learn what you don't.
Ross Galvin
Well then you may be able to help me. Do you now where you can get what
I can only describe as an American style shovel in the UK? You know the
type they always use to dig graves in the movies, the ones with the very
long handles. I suffer from a bad back (dont we all!) and these look
ideal for heavy digging.
Any ideas
Ross
--
Email : Ross....@cambridge.simoco.com
"When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look
so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not
see the ones which open for us." --Alexander Graham Bell
paulw...@my-deja.com
Ross Galvin <ross....@cambridge.simoco.com> wrote:
> paulw...@my-deja.com wrote:
> >
> > Having a "minor" tool obessession I had a look round. They are
>
> Well then you may be able to help me. Do you now where you can get
what
> I can only describe as an American style shovel in the UK? You know
the
> type they always use to dig graves in the movies, the ones with the
very
> long handles. I suffer from a bad back (dont we all!) and these look
> ideal for heavy digging.
answer: Spear & Jackson still make them - but they're around
40 quid.
related information: do a DejaNews search for "magnificent spade"
paulw...@my-deja.com
Ross Galvin <ross....@cambridge.simoco.com> wrote:
> paulw...@my-deja.com wrote:
> >
> > Having a "minor" tool obessession I had a look round. They are
>
> Well then you may be able to help me. Do you now where you can get
what
> I can only describe as an American style shovel in the UK? You know
the
> type they always use to dig graves in the movies, the ones with the
very
> long handles. I suffer from a bad back (dont we all!) and these look
> ideal for heavy digging.
>
>
> Ross
Bit of web hackey, and we have:
http://www.spear-and-jackson.com/shock/noshock/s&jgarden/open.html
looks as if you want a "long knob" (calm down at the back!)
and either: "west country round mouth" or "irish round mouth"
head.
Cormaic may advise further.
Enjoy!
Anthony Frost
Ross Galvin <ross....@cambridge.simoco.com> wrote:
> paulw...@my-deja.com wrote:
> >
> > Having a "minor" tool obessession I had a look round. They are
>
> Well then you may be able to help me. Do you now where you can get what
> I can only describe as an American style shovel in the UK? You know the
> type they always use to dig graves in the movies, the ones with the very
> long handles. I suffer from a bad back (dont we all!) and these look
> ideal for heavy digging.
A Cornish shovel you mean? Long handle, head like a spade in a pack of
cards? If the local garden centre doesn't stock them, try a builders
merchant. I'm fairly sure I've seen them in Ridgeons, if not Mackays
might well stock them.
They aren't really useful for heavy digging, but are excellent for
shifting loose material. They were developed for tin mining, either for
moving the gravel of alluvial deposits, or piles of ore. They are best
used in conjunction with a pick or mattock to break up whatever you are
digging.
Anthony
--
| If the gods had meant for mankind to fly, |
| they wouldn't have made the ground so hard, |
| or so far down. |
Chris Hogg
<ross....@cambridge.simoco.com> wrote:
>paulw...@my-deja.com wrote:
>>
>> Having a "minor" tool obessession I had a look round. They are
>
>Well then you may be able to help me. Do you now where you can get what
>I can only describe as an American style shovel in the UK?
We've been round this loop before, or was it in soc.culture.cornish? I
remember taking great exception to it being called an American shovel,
claiming it originated in Cornwall and it emigrated, along with the
Cornish, in the last century. This in turn prompted the repost that it
was actually Irish, and I think Celtic was where we let it rest. It's
widely used in Cornwall, but more commonly available in builders
merchants than garden centres..
--
Chris
De-* virgin for e-mail reply
Holly
Chris Hogg wrote in message <37d69a8...@news.virgin.net>...
>On Tue, 07 Sep 1999 11:57:16 +0100, Ross Galvin
><ross....@cambridge.simoco.com> wrote:
>
>>paulw...@my-deja.com wrote:
>>Well then you may be able to help me. Do you now where you can get
>>what I can only describe as an American style shovel in the UK?
>
>We've been round this loop before, or was it in soc.culture.cornish?
No, it was here. Thread entitled 'a magnificent spade' I think.
>I
>remember taking great exception to it being called an American shovel,
>claiming it originated in Cornwall and it emigrated, along with the
>Cornish, in the last century. This in turn prompted the repost that it
>was actually Irish, and I think Celtic was where we let it rest.
Yes, ISTR Celtic was acceptable to everyone :-)
Holly
nimrod
Derek Tidman
ross....@cambridge.simoco.com says...
> paulw...@my-deja.com wrote:
> >
> > Having a "minor" tool obessession I had a look round. They are
>
> type they always use to dig graves in the movies, the ones with the very
> long handles. I suffer from a bad back (dont we all!) and these look
> ideal for heavy digging.
I bought mine in B&Q some years ago I expect they still sell
them.
--
DAT
cormaic
<ho...@NOSPAM.esatclear.ie> enriched all our lives with these words:
>Yes, ISTR Celtic was acceptable to everyone :-)
>
Yep! They're Celtic useless yokes, not American useless yokes! ;~)
--
cormaic Garden - www.tmac.clara.co.uk/cormaic/garden/garden.htm
Culcheth Paving - www.tmac.clara.co.uk/paving2.htm
Cheshire URG web-ring - www.tmac.clara.co.uk/urgring/urgring1.htm
(allegedly) Last Updated on Sept 7th 1999
cormaic CAN BE FOUND AT tmac.clara.co.uk
paulw...@my-deja.com
de...@adams.demon.co.uk wrote:
>
> I bought mine in B&Q some years ago I expect they still sell
> them.
>
I wouldn't be so sure. I'd expect a big chain like B&Q to stock
things according to market research, focus groups, and last
weeks sales results. It's far from certain they'd stock
an item that didn't sell well.
It's only old-fashioned small shops that stock items just in
case seomeone needs it.
Sally Holmes
> paulw...@my-deja.com wrote:
> Do you now where you can get what
> I can only describe as an American style shovel in the UK? You know the
> type they always use to dig graves in the movies, the ones with the very
> long handles. I suffer from a bad back (dont we all!) and these look
> ideal for heavy digging.
They have them in Costco, if you have one close/can get in. They are
supposed to be better for backs than short-handled ones.
Sally
Chris French and Helen Johnson
>In article <MPG.1240dcf09...@news.demon.co.uk>,
> de...@adams.demon.co.uk wrote:
>
>>
>> I bought mine in B&Q some years ago I expect they still sell
>> them.
>>
>
>I wouldn't be so sure. I'd expect a big chain like B&Q to stock
>things according to market research, focus groups, and last
>weeks sales results.
ISTR that the B&Q Warehouse in Leeds had these sorts of things last year
(or earlier this year?).
But the Warehouses are different beasts than yer standard sheds.
--
Chris French and Helen Johnson, Leeds
urg Suppliers and References FAQ:
http://www.spennithorne.demon.co.uk/garden/urg/urgrefs.html
Chris French and Helen Johnson
<sa...@dolmus.softnet.co.uk> writes
digging - a shovel is for shifting loose material - for which they are
fine.. For heavy digging I have a found the Wilkinson Sword spade with
the long cranked handle the best. It does have metal handle, with a
plastic/rubber coating over part of it. But it has performed well and
been abused greatly over the last couple of years.
I find it much better than the standard, wooden handled type spade we
also have - which is much to short
Ruth Marler
>>> Do you now where you can get what
>>> I can only describe as an American style shovel in the UK? You know the
>>> type they always use to dig graves in the movies, the ones with the very
>>> long handles. I suffer from a bad back (dont we all!) and these look
>>> ideal for heavy digging.
they emigrated with the many "Jacks & Jennies" that left these shores
over the last 100+ years.
--
Ruth Marler in Hampton, Middlesex, UK
ru...@lamerton.demon.co.uk
Looking for surname WIDDOWS anywhere, anytime for One Name Study
wid...@lamerton.demon.co.uk http://www.lamerton.demon.co.uk/genealog.htm
Derek Tidman
deja.com says...
> In article <MPG.1240dcf09...@news.demon.co.uk>,
> de...@adams.demon.co.uk wrote:
>
> >
> > I bought mine in B&Q some years ago I expect they still sell
> > them.
> >
>
> I wouldn't be so sure. I'd expect a big chain like B&Q to stock
> things according to market research, focus groups, and last
> an item that didn't sell well.
Have you actually looked..
> It's only old-fashioned small shops that stock items just in
> case seomeone needs it.
How would you know if you haven't looked..
--
DAT
paulw...@my-deja.com
The only point I was trying to make is that large chains have a
spectacularly rapid and ruthless approach to the items they
stock. If it stops selling they stop stocking. Fast.
Chris French and Helen Johnson
>
>The only point I was trying to make is that large chains have a
>spectacularly rapid and ruthless approach to the items they
>stock. If it stops selling they stop stocking. Fast.
Which is probably why they are big shops.......