|
Page 1 of 1
|
[ 10 posts ] |
|
Finally, a proper spade for me
Author |
Message |
Steven
Joined: Sun Aug 10, 2008 4:02 pm Posts: 2486
|
Finally, a proper spade for me
A spade to end all spades, so to speak: To the left, a "Kraftspaten" made by IDEAL, aka Powerspade next to one of those pathetic caricatures one gets in every DIY store. A blade of stonking 5mm thickness and an all steel construction, enabling one to lever trees out of their spot, without breaking the handle (solid steel), so ideal for nursery owners and keen gardeners. Its heavy weight of 5kg makes it the tool of choice to keep running bamboos in check and to move almost any shrub or tree. With its axe-sharp blade it goes through any root like through butter. Same applies to toes probably , if you aren't wearing safety shoes with steel caps. As one can see, I didn't even manage to scratch the paint, despite having moved two larger oaks, a 5m Rhododendron and a couple of smaller shrubs, since I bought it. Now and then I came across such all steel spades for the nursery man on online shops, but most often I refused to order, because of the hefty prices. This one not only has a 10 years warranty, but also sold for under 70€ , rather inexpensive for such a good tool. IDEAL I know for years as a top notch tool maker, that still sells for reasonable prices. Let's see, if I can break this one, too.
|
Wed Jul 19, 2017 7:08 pm |
|
|
Kev Spence
Site Admin
Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2007 3:59 pm Posts: 10902 Location: Loughborough, Leics, central UK
|
Re: Finally, a proper spade for me
Looks a tough customer Steven but I am sure you could snap it moving a clump of bamboo.
|
Wed Jul 19, 2017 7:26 pm |
|
|
Stan
Joined: Wed Oct 31, 2007 5:52 pm Posts: 10687 Location: Hayward- S.F. Bay area Ca.
|
Re: Finally, a proper spade for me
Fiberglass handles are the way to go with Spades and shovels. Wooden handles are disposable by comparison.
|
Wed Jul 19, 2017 7:48 pm |
|
|
Martinnicklin
Joined: Fri Oct 05, 2012 9:06 pm Posts: 2675 Location: Telford UK
|
Re: Finally, a proper spade for me
I'm afraid Stan I am with Steven on that one. The number of trowels, spades and even movers I have lost through breakages from supposedly top brand UK manufacturers is silly. I now only buy solid metal German engineered tools and boy they are tough. Vorsprung durch Kraftspaten, as they say!
|
Wed Jul 19, 2017 9:45 pm |
|
|
Steven
Joined: Sun Aug 10, 2008 4:02 pm Posts: 2486
|
Re: Finally, a proper spade for me
Lol, wasn't that Audi?
I came across a fiberglass spade before, selling for 150€, which immediately ruled it out. All the other all steel spades for farmers and tree nurseries were about 200€, so I was quite surprised to find one being rather inexpensive. A proper spade for the craftsman with wooden handle from a good brand sells for about 40€, so mine's actually not that expensive.
I also have a dandelion weeder from the same brand, (15€) for about 10 years. The lacquer is still on it, letting it look like new. They surely make some tough stuff.
|
Thu Jul 20, 2017 8:49 am |
|
|
themes
Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2008 12:42 am Posts: 2148 Location: birmingham, UK
|
Re: Finally, a proper spade for me
Looks good. I want one. Just levering out some palms and the middle is cracked.
_________________ Regards,
Mo
|
Thu Jul 20, 2017 2:13 pm |
|
|
Paul Spracklin
Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 3:55 pm Posts: 2564 Location: North Thames delta UK
|
Re: Finally, a proper spade for me
That is a great bit of kit. I use something similar, cheaper and probably inferior but still does the job. Digging here is like quarrying sometimes, the clay sets so hard. One of these, in fact:
On my second in 30 years - I left the first one behind at a job some years back. I keep meaning to put a grinder on the edge to sharpen it up but never seem to get round to it.
_________________ visit my website - www.oasisdesigns.co.uk
|
Thu Jul 20, 2017 2:41 pm |
|
|
Stan
Joined: Wed Oct 31, 2007 5:52 pm Posts: 10687 Location: Hayward- S.F. Bay area Ca.
|
Re: Finally, a proper spade for me
My mistake- I saw without catching it's a steel handle. I thought it was fiberglass. I imagine steel as even topping fiberglass. Something you could dig a mean furrow for bulbs,THEN,lift a locomotive off its rails. My father worked for the RR,and I have his old 5' pry bar of steel. It was used to move my old steel clawfoot tub of Euphorbia ammak. Anyways..wooden handles for spades should be banned. What I like too Steven on your spade is that great edge. Never seen a garden tool like that. I wish my mattock had that slant. For some reason it was made dull. Like Paul,I always mean to grind it sharper but never get around to it...
|
Thu Jul 20, 2017 3:29 pm |
|
|
junglejason
Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2011 1:49 pm Posts: 206 Location: arthog, gwynedd, wales
|
Re: Finally, a proper spade for me
I see the Germans haven't got the hang of making proper handles yet.
_________________ Change the face of the UK, plant at least one palm a year. Jason
|
Thu Jul 20, 2017 6:09 pm |
|
|
kindredspiritkevin
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 9:02 pm Posts: 108 Location: Mid-West, Ireland.
|
Re: Finally, a proper spade for me
I use a Newcastle Drain Spade. It'll cut concrete blocks and I've been unable to break or bend the handle levering almost impossible objects out. Got mine from Wickes. I've also been unable to break a Wilkinson Sword steel spade. And I now have on order a Root Assassin spade. that apparently won't take kindly to levering but will "slice through roots". We'll see.
_________________ https://coolwatergarden.com/
|
Thu Jul 20, 2017 8:35 pm |
|
|
|
|
Page 1 of 1
|
[ 10 posts ] |
|
Who is online |
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 35 guests |
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum
|
|