Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Chatting => Equipment Shed => Topic started by: spader on November 22, 2009, 00:34
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Hi All
I am a newbie here. I am delighted to find this interesting forum and web community. As I am starting out, I am looking for garden tools. I have a couple of tools which are cheap, but would like to get something more sturdy and higher quality.
My question is whether it would be better to go for something brand new from shops, or go for vintage tools (spades, forks, hoes...) from yester-years. Because I saw some vintage spades and forks from 1940s and 1950s in the car boot sales, and they still looked perfect and strong and also they were in good price as well.
Are vintage tools made any better and stronger than modern ones? I would love to hear your opinions and experiences on this.
Thanks & regards
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SS tools are fine, but I read from somewhere that they cannot be sharpened unlike carbon steel ones. Indeed, when I tried to sharpen SS spades by filing them, and nothing has happened to its blade, and the file was broken. The SS spade blade is still blunt, and it is no joy using it at all.
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I would say, as a general rule of thumb, that most tools from the yester-years, are going to be very good quality.
The only modern gardening tool I've bought that I think is an exception, is the Wilkinson Sword stainless steel Swoe, which is lightweight and very strong. :)
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My vintage tools always end up being the favourites. They feel good in your hand, are well balanced and appear to stand up to heavy use better. Especially digging spades.
My reciprocating hoe is a godsend and I've not seen as good a one anywhere.
Wish I could find a trowel to replace the broken (new, SS) one.....
I hear copper tools are helpful against slugs. Aren't they a bit 'soft'? Anyone used them?
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All my tools are "vintage" ones. With shed break ins on the increase on our allotment site I refuse to pay the prices asked for brand new tools only to have them stolen. I'm fortunate enough to be on friendly terms with someone who undertakes house clearances and am always given the first refusal on any "gardening" items she might have salvaged.
I'm a firm believer that the British made tools of yesteryear where made to a higher standard than the tools of whichever country of manufacture of today and while ever I have a supplier of them I'll keep on buying, after all, when I pay £1.50 for a border fork or spade and a £1 for a rake even if they turn out to only last a season they won't exactly have broken the bank.
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I sharpen my spades with a small angle grinder with grinding disc not cutting disc, if you still want old tools I can send my dad
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I would say, as a general rule of thumb, that most tools from the yester-years, are going to be very good quality.
The only modern gardening tool I've bought that I think is an exception, is the Wilkinson Sword stainless steel Swoe, which is lightweight and very strong. :)
my favorite tool even use it to scrape out the bottom of the chicken coops,
carboot sales are good for getting older tools
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Poppies, if you want 'old' tools go and see Mark Filer at Arreton by the school. He has loads of 'old school stuff' that he buys in and then does up. He and his wife are lovely.
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I would say, as a general rule of thumb, that most tools from the yester-years, are going to be very good quality.
The only modern gardening tool I've bought that I think is an exception, is the Wilkinson Sword stainless steel Swoe, which is lightweight and very strong. :)
SS sowes are fantastic..... light, easy to use around plants, long reach between rows, quick and accurate for weeding once you have the hang of using one (and that's simple). Of all the newer style tools you could get I'd go for one of these... ;)
Saying that my father's old, well worn steel fork and spade are irreplaceable.
I also have an odd onion hoe - not seen one like it before but it is a joy to use.
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I would say a mixture is best. I still use my father's spades, forks and hoes - most of which are around 80 years old or more - but I also like my Wolf set which is easy to swap and light to carry around, and has fittings for almost any use.
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Hi Gwiz, I got the Wilkinson Sword S/S Swoe last night for £3.00! B&Q clearance!
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Hi Gwiz, I got the Wilkinson Sword S/S Swoe last night for £3.00! B&Q clearance!
Now that's what I call a bargain :D
Go back and buy another!
You won't be dissapointed. :)
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It was the last one at Widnes B&Q! :(
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Doh!
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Hi Gwiz, I got the Wilkinson Sword S/S Swoe last night for £3.00! B&Q clearance!
Now that's what I call a bargain :D
Go back and buy another!
You won't be dissapointed. :)
Hell's teeth....... that would be something to treasure at that price!!
You could sell it in 30 years time at a profit :)
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Hi all i agree with Gwiz yesteryears tools have been made very well to last i have a shed full of garden tools mostly vintage handed down by those who are no longer with us some purchased from the council re-cycle tip brought back to life with a good clean some i have put new handles in i have amongst my collection 3 scythes in good condition and still used also a SS hoe v-good :D
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learner that one you put on is called an ibis i was going to buy one last year but wasnt sure how good it would be so didnt bother
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Does anyone know where I could get a shaft/handle for a Dutch hoe? I was given a lovely big heavy steel hoe head a while ago. The handle though was home made from an old brush handle! I've seen various tools with hardwood shafts but can't find a replacement.
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this sort of thing maybe?
http://www.crocodilegolfproducts.co.uk/wooden-handle-1200mm_ProdID_67
or here:
http://myallotmentplot.co.uk/acatalog/Replacement_Handles.html
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Spot on Gwiz! Another two sites to bookmark! :D
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learner that one you put on is called an ibis i was going to buy one last year but wasnt sure how good it would be so didnt bother
Thanks for that information.... Do you know any more about the origin of this type of tool?
I find it brilliant for very close delicate weeding between onions. It has two "cutting" edges and can be swept through the soil speedily or the sharp pointed tip is great for removing weed roots from close to plants without causing damage. Helps reduce back-ache too! ;)
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I love vintage tools !!!!! i have so many ive lost count , i use old trowels for wall building , got an old scottish dykeing hammer for dykeing (very hard to find now adays) , got lots of old masons tools for stone dressing, Go for the old skool mate
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I love vintage tools !!!!! i have so many ive lost count , i use old trowels for wall building , got an old scottish dykeing hammer for dykeing (very hard to find now adays) , got lots of old masons tools for stone dressing, Go for the old skool mate
My dad has a fantastic furniture-makers tool box which he bought 2nd hand years ago. Each of the planes fits into the bottom one right next to the other. They are shapes for different finishes - all are wooden with very sharp blades. Modern equivalent of a router I guess.
The smell from inside the box is wonderful... all the woods that have been worked over the years seem to have left their fragrances behind. As well as planes there are countless other ancient looking tools. It is a snap shot of skills from the past. :)
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I love vintage tools !!!!! i have so many ive lost count , i use old trowels for wall building , got an old scottish dykeing hammer for dykeing (very hard to find now adays) , got lots of old masons tools for stone dressing, Go for the old skool mate
My dad has a fantastic furniture-makers tool box which he bought 2nd hand years ago. Each of the planes fits into the bottom one right next to the other. They are shapes for different finishes - all are wooden with very sharp blades. Modern equivalent of a router I guess.
The smell from inside the box is wonderful... all the woods that have been worked over the years seem to have left their fragrances behind. As well as planes there are countless other ancient looking tools. It is a snap shot of skills from the past. :)
See you dont get things like that these days , its all cheap screwfix rubbish , get some pics up if you can :)
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I'd love to Steven - It's something I had not thought of before.... when I have a few hours to spare I will do just that... presently I'm just a bit too busy but... come April :) :)
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Just when ever mate , it'll be good to see another retro tool box