On 30/06/2013 18:04, David.WE.Roberts wrote:
Just broke a stainless steel Spear and Jackson border fork.

It broke where the stainless steel handle joins the fork head.

This is the second SS fork I have broken - the other was from Screwfix
where I broke a tine.

Now I don't recall any similar failure with non-SS tools.

So I assume that SS is very good at stopping soil sticking, and also rust,
but this is at the expense of brittle steel.

Just checked and my only remaining garden fork (a really old Spear and
Jackson non-SS one) is down at the allotment.

So a purchasing opportunity, I suppose.

Anyone recommend some really robust garden tools?

Cheers

Dave R

What are you doing with them?
Trying to leaver out rocks ?

On Sun, 30 Jun 2013 18:51:39 +0100, David Hill wrote:

On 30/06/2013 18:04, David.WE.Roberts wrote:
Just broke a stainless steel Spear and Jackson border fork.

It broke where the stainless steel handle joins the fork head.

This is the second SS fork I have broken - the other was from Screwfix
where I broke a tine.

Now I don't recall any similar failure with non-SS tools.

So I assume that SS is very good at stopping soil sticking, and also
rust,
but this is at the expense of brittle steel.

Just checked and my only remaining garden fork (a really old Spear and
Jackson non-SS one) is down at the allotment.

So a purchasing opportunity, I suppose.

Anyone recommend some really robust garden tools?

Cheers

Dave R

What are you doing with them?
Trying to leaver out rocks ?

No, just trying to dig some oldish shrubs out of a very dry border.

I have come to expect to be able to lean my full weight on a spade or fork
and either something to move or the fork or spade to flex.

Before you ask, my full weight is just under 13 stone and has been a bit
higher for the last 30 years or so.

So not an unreasonable load.

Cheers

Dave R

On 30/06/2013 19:54, David.WE.Roberts wrote:
On Sun, 30 Jun 2013 18:51:39 +0100, David Hill wrote:

On 30/06/2013 18:04, David.WE.Roberts wrote:
Just broke a stainless steel Spear and Jackson border fork.

It broke where the stainless steel handle joins the fork head.

What are you doing with them?
Trying to leaver out rocks ?

No, just trying to dig some oldish shrubs out of a very dry border.

I have come to expect to be able to lean my full weight on a spade or fork
and either something to move or the fork or spade to flex.

Before you ask, my full weight is just under 13 stone and has been a bit
higher for the last 30 years or so.

So not an unreasonable load.

I would say that /is/ an unreasonable load. If you are wanting to
heave something out with that much force get a crowbar.
--
Phil Cook

On 01/07/2013 14:56, Phil Cook wrote:
On 30/06/2013 19:54, David.WE.Roberts wrote:
On Sun, 30 Jun 2013 18:51:39 +0100, David Hill wrote:

On 30/06/2013 18:04, David.WE.Roberts wrote:
Just broke a stainless steel Spear and Jackson border fork.

It broke where the stainless steel handle joins the fork head.

What are you doing with them?
Trying to leaver out rocks ?

No, just trying to dig some oldish shrubs out of a very dry border.

I have come to expect to be able to lean my full weight on a spade or
fork
and either something to move or the fork or spade to flex.

Before you ask, my full weight is just under 13 stone and has been a bit
higher for the last 30 years or so.

So not an unreasonable load.

I would say that /is/ an unreasonable load. If you are wanting to heave
something out with that much force get a crowbar.

Also use a spade to cut off the roots,.