[Deano]

Although i say long handled spades are 'the future' my ma in law, who has grown more veg than you could shake a stick at, tells me she had one about 35 years ago!!!

[Snap Dragon]

Can't quite get my head round them not having a 'handle' at the top.... the ones I've found with handles by googling are more expensive than the non handle types!

As I'm 5'10" and hubby is 6'4" we will need good tools to save our backs!

[mashauk]

Does that mean they're not suitable for me (I'm only 5'2" but still get back ache when digging!)

[Rob the rake]

Can't wait to get my raised beds done. Then I'm chucking the spade in back of the shed. I can't throw it out, it was nicked from work 2 generations ago. It's got  'istry, my spade.

[richyrich7]

Does that mean they're not suitable for me (I'm only 5'2" but still get back ache when digging!)

Nope my kids fight over mine when we all go digging as its so eay to dig with  all leverage  

Can't quite get my head round them not having a 'handle' at the top.... the ones I've found with handles by googling are more expensive than the non handle types!

I thought that when I first got hold of mine, but now it's second nature, throw it in, pull it back flick and off again is the way I do it.
I personally would  not bother paying the extra.

I'd like to have a  go with one of them super wide forks with to shafts, can't think of the name of them. Don't even know if they are available anymore.