[Slowgrind]

I've had many different spades down the years.
I like the feel of a wooden shaft with a "D" handle, also wooden.
The cheapo plastic shafted S/S spade that I bought a couple of years ago shattered as I turned over a spit of earth. Still it only cost about six quid.
Is it worth saving for top quality tool, or just get a new one every few years?
I had a cracking Bulldog border spade for years. It cost £17.00 in about 1976 and I had it for years, until the handle broke. I think that the modern day one is about £39.00!
Did you choose your digging spade or did it choose you?
                                                                                                                               

[mumofstig]

Because I had soooo much expence the first year, I bought the one that felt 'right' to me, but out of the cheapo range   I don't think the plastic handle will last much longer, this is its third year.
So when it finally dies I will replace it with something a bit more durable (hopefully :blink:)

[andy135]

You can get replacement handles for them. but some can be tricky to get the broken bit out.
I got two hardwood handles from a local DIY store for around £4 each.

[Y.E.A.H]

I got given my spade by an old lady who could no longer use it

[pumpkinpatch]

My father gave me mine and i can certainly tell you they dont make them like they used to 

[RichardA]

my grandfather (who was a blacksmith) made one for his father (who was quite tall). I am still using it - paper thin and cuts like a knife. I never force it and never lend it. For heavy stuff I use a sneerboar long spade.
R

[Slowgrind]

My Grandfather was a blacksmith too!
I never gave a thought as to what happened to his garden tools 

[massa]

i get cheap ones that i can leave on the plot then if/when they get stolen it doesnt cost too much to replace.

[gypsy]

i get cheap ones that i can leave on the plot then if/when they get stolen it doesnt cost too much to replace.

me too.

[2peasinapod]

mine's a bit like Triggers brush
cept its only had 1 head but lots of handles
came to me as a good old un and is still an even older good un.
same with my good fork.
i do have c&c stuff I leave on the plot but if i'm doing owt propper I take the good stuff up.

[Trillium]

I used to buy cheap spades and they were bears to use. When good quality D handled ones became more affordable, I bought one on clearance and still use it. Have also bought 3 more on clearances....just in case  There's a huge difference in the effort required between good and cheap. Don't think I'd ever go back to cheap unless I had to leave it elsewhere like an allotment.

[Paul Plots]

My dad's old garden spade is like slicing butter with a hot knife as it slips into the soil... it is so worn now the depth of cut is much reduced. I use it when I work in his garden.

My son bought me a new Wilkinson Sword stainless steel spade - wooden D handle and a decent slice. It's not too wide but comfortable to use and gradually becoming used to me.... if it lasts another 20 years I reckon we will be getting on well 

[Rangerkris]

I snapped 2 Bulldog ones in my first 3 Months of getting the plot. So went and got a lifetime guarantee Joseph Bentley its was good for a few months and that broke to, when it went back to the shop the big fella at the counter had worked there as long as they had sold the equipment and said he has never seen one back in the shop broken. He swapped it over with no problems and off i went.

I wont be need the strength on my plot ever again like the last year unless i let it go for 7 years.

[HugglescoteGrower]

got to admit I'm down the cheap route, bright orange plastic handles. Digging fork, Digging spade, Border fork and Border spade all acquired from Lathams at Potter Heigham last back end for less than a tenner the lot.

feel comfortable to use, do the job. Maybe one day I'll aspire to the top shelf models, but to me they all feel much the same.

Cricket bats - now there I can tell which one fits, what feels right, but digging spades.

A spades a spade to me I'm afraid.

[Slowgrind]

We have a good boot sale at Earlestown market, a few miles from me. They often have bargains there.
I'll be there on saturday morning to see if I can nab a good hand me down.