"Howard Haigh" wrote after

Janner wrote ...
Can anybody recommend a garden fork that won't bend or snap the first
time you point it at anything larger than a dandelion?

Over the past few weeks I have gone through 4 different forks,
including one from B&Q that claimed to be 'heavy duty'. The worst was
one that I got from Asda, where all four prongs bent within a matter
of seconds of touching the soil ... I had put NO pressure on the fork
at all! A couple others came from local garden centres, and in each
case the shaft snapped (albeit doing some work this time).

I don't think I am being too tough on them (certainly not the Asda
one!). Surely I can expect a fork to withstand some use?

Thanks for any suggestions.

I have a fork made by Bulldog Tools with a wooden shaft/handle - had it
for
years and though I haven't really used it regularly it's never given any
sign of failure when used to turn over very heavy soil.

I too have the Bulldog spade and fork which are British forged (Stainless
Steel) and top quality but they don't make the SS ones anymore, got too
expensive, don't know what their range is like now, probably make in China.
Anyway, if you want quality tools look for "Forged" steel tools.
Another fork I have used for some years on heavy clay/silt on the allotments
is made by Spear and Jackson, is British made forged steel (not SS), has a
wooden shaft with a plastic shock absorbing handle. Nothing has bent or
broken despite hard use.

--
Regards
Bob Hobden
17mls W. of London.UK