Gardening Tools

[Winklebury]

Hello all,

I have been thinking a lot about prepping and the inevitable long term conclusion is self sufficiency etc. To this end, growing your own is the logic end point.

Being a fairly gear orientated individual, I have a search about, and I found this article by Monty Don:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/10 ... tools.html

Following that, I have a bit of a shopping list, and then set about researching manufacturers etc. I am a fan of Gransfors, and with that in mind I want to find the equivalent of the prime manufacturer, and also their competitors, so the equivalents of Mora, Hunta-fors etc.

I found various options, Bulldog, Silverline etc.

Has anyone got any insights into the various merits of different manufacturers?

Regards,

Winks

[MissAnpassad]

Many of the modern tools aren't made for mending, so look at garage sales and so on, for older versions. When it comes to scythes, have one custom made for you, your back will be grateful. And choose a blade that is made for sharpening, many of them aren't made for that.

[preparedsurrey]

Older Spear and Jacksons tools are good and made expecting to be re handled etc

[Catweazle]

I've collected many tools through the years, and it seems to me that the good ones all have something in common - they have the makers name stamped into them. If they have "Sheffield" stamped underneath that's a bonus

[grenfell]

With regards to silverline tools , I've not met anyone with a good word to say about them and that includes myself . I have ended up with a couple , cheap but nowhere near good quality. Another decent make to look out for is Sorby.

[ForgeCorvus]

Spades and shovels should taper from the shoulders to the edge, this lightens the tool and reduces the workload.

The head should be riveted on, but the rivet shouldn't be the only thing holding it together. I've loaded a ton of sand with a shovel that hadn't been riveted (I didn't have anything suitable to use at the time), its OK as long as you remember to bounce the head back on every once in a while.

Wooden handles goes without saying.... Except on your splitting maul

Never be afraid of buying old tools if the price is right, even things that are unusable as is can become something else

Check local auctions, house clearance places, market stalls and car boots.... Never pay more then you would for a cheap new one (but you will normally get something thats much better quality).

Keep them clean & dry, oiled if you're not likely to use them for a week or so (Linseed for the wood twice a year)

[grenfell]

I'm in two minds concerning handles. Wooden are nicer and definitely warmer to use on a winters day. Steel is stronger ( although saying that I have broken one) but colder. Glass fibre types are alright unless you have an accident and damage them in which case it's an absolute pain to get the tool head off in many cases.one spade I have and use regularly is a standard spade head on a wooden handle over five feet long with steel langs riveted from the head to nearly half way up . Great for grubbing out . I also have a couple of mattock so that come in very handy and also an old British army entrenching tool , the one shaped like a small mattock. I'd hate to have to dig a trench with one but they are great for small work.
Over the years I've acquired many shovels from work , a labourer would use one , not clean the concrete from it at the end of the day and then end up getting a new one from the stores rather than clean the original. I also acquired a few wheel barrows the same way , one with a broken body , one with a broken chassis and another with a damaged tyre ends up as one whole good barrow.

[Mr R]

Draper for new, general, tools.

For gardening buy older tools from secondhand / charity shops or car boot sales. Far better quality and more sturdy than modern equipment.

[PreparedKent]

I usually buy B&Q own brand garden tools and have no trouble with them (spade, shovel, fork secateurs, etc.) the only item I've had trouble with is my branded Bosch strimmer, I hate it! Its going in the skip this year to be replaced by a beefier petrol version.

Other than the above, an opinel no 8 and the curved opinel pruner knife usually holds me in good stead (carbon steel version not INOX), they are sharper when they are rusty! lol

[HBP]

The only item I've had trouble with is my branded Bosch strimmer, I hate it! Its going in the skip this year to be replaced by a beefier petrol version

Bosch used to make very good kit if you bought the blue coloured tools. Green was for domestic market and blue was for trade use. Not sure if it's still the same.

I had a Bosch blue circular saw that lasted years of abuse and only died when I dropped it from about 4m