Looking for a spade recommendation!

mysparrow

Hi All,

Could anyone help with this please? My boss (who is brilliant) is due to retire soon, his wife has suggested a spade as a gift.
After many searches I am now overwhelmed with spade info! I'd like to spend no more than £30 but I want to make sure it's a good one...

He's average to slim build & about 5'8 (if that helps!).

Thanks!:D

Penelope_Penguin

mysparrow wrote: »

Hi All,

Could anyone help with this please? My boss (who is brilliant) is due to retire soon, his wife has suggested a spade as a gift.
After many searches I am now overwhelmed with spade info! I'd like to spend no more than £30 but I want to make sure it's a good one...

He's average to slim build & about 5'8 (if that helps!).

Thanks!:D

Stainless steel get my vote every time They're not cheap, but the blade will last forever. There are some beautiful ones with wooden handles, too. Something like this?

Penny. x

mysparrow

Ooo, thanks! That looks lovely & a great price too, I think I might treat myself to something too so I qualify for the free delivery...
Much appreciated.

alanobrien

i would go for a good quality stainless steel one as well something like this ;

http://www.crocus.co.uk/product/_/product/tools/spades/wilkinson-sword-stainless-steel-border-spade/itemno.PR30000104/

Better still one with a steel shaft and handle if you can find one.

Farway

Agree on stainless, but go for a wooden shaft as the steel ones can be cold to the touch on a winter dig

And watch out for a "border" spade as these are deliberately narrow bladed for use in among flower borders, I assume you require a normal digging spade, like for use on allotment?

katskorner

Just a thought but have you considered a fork rather than a spade? If your boss is a keen gardener then he will get more use out of a fork as it is much easier to use than a spade for digging, planting, turning and the like. I use my fork all the time and the spade only occasionally. Spear & Jackson tools are excellent, as are Draper.

mysparrow

Thanks everyone,
He already has a fork apparently, & yes it would be a proper big boy's spade he's wanting!

Larumbelle

I've got a Spear & Jackson one and (so far as spades go) it's very good!