The spade has always been one of the essential garden tools. Apart from digging, of course, it can be used for a variety of tasks. Here’s a selection of spades we’ve been trying out this month
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ULTRALIGHT DIGGING SPADE
This ultralight spade is 40% lighter than a traditional digging spade. It has a stainless steel head with a serrated edge and a soft D grip handle. Blade: 28cm (11in) long (at point) x 18cm (7in) wide. Overall length: 100cm (39in). Weight: 1.19kg (just over 2½lbs).
WILKINSON SWORD TOOLS
https://wilkinsonsword-tools.co.uk
TEL: Order on website
PRODUCT CODE: 1111308W
PRICE: £34.99
KG VERDICT
The thing you notice most about this spade first off is just how light it is. But this is not the expense of sturdiness, with its long ergonomically shaped steel shaft giving you good leverage when digging. The pointed blade enters the soil very smoothly with the serrated edge useful for slicing through deep rooted weeds, and the moderately soft handle makes for a secure and comfortable grip. Easy to clean and maintain, this is a general-purpose spade suitable for anyone who needs something lighter than more conventional spades.
STAINLESS STEEL DIGGING SPADE
This digging spade has a mirror polished, stainless steel head with a double riveted head socket to provide extra strength and a tread plate. It has a weatherproofed wooden ash handle and a tread plate. Blade length: 29cm (11½ in) long x 18cm (7in) wide. Overall length: 101.5cm (40in). Weight: 2.018kg (4½lbs)
WILKINSON SWORD TOOLS
https://wilkinsonsword-tools.co.uk
TEL: Order on website
PRODUCT CODE: 1111111W
PRICE: £34.99
KG VERDICT
An excellent, heavy-duty spade this one, suitable for digging over tougher patches of soil that have been left uncultivated but it can also be used as a general purpose spade for more pliable soils. A good one too for planting shrubs and trees. The blade’s bevelled edge facilitates entry into to the soil and because the blade is mirror polished stainless steel, it is easy to wipe clean after use. The attractive wooden handle has a smooth finish and is comfortable to handle. One for the allotment or larger veg patch rather than the small garden.
BORDER SPADE
Endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society This spade had a mirror-polished stainless steel head for rust resistance and wide treads at the top of the blade. It has an extra-long, double-riveted strapped socket whilst the handle is made from FSC certified wood and has a ‘Y’ handle. Head dimensions: 23cm (9in) long x 14cm (5½in) wide. Overall length: 98cm (38½in). Weight: 1.67kg (approx. 3½lbs).
BURGON & BALL
www.burgonandball.com
TEL: 0114 233 8262
PRODUCT CODE: N/A
PRICE: £42.99
KG VERDICT
This is a high quality border spade. The mirror polished stainless steel blade ensures easy entry into the soil with minimal soil adhesion on lifting. The wide comfort treads at the top of the blade make it easy on feet, especially useful when working with hard, compressed soil. The FSC certified hardwood handle and ‘Y’ grip, is smooth and at the same time, comfortable in the hands. With its narrow blade, this is idea for working in garden borders where space is limited. The supplier adds: “This spade has been tested to a breaking strain of 90kg; far above and beyond the British standard of 55kg.”
TRADITIONAL STAINLESS PLANTING SPADE
This planting spade has a pointed, mirror-polished, stainless steel blade, which has etched depth markings for accurate planting at 2, 4 and 6in and a serrated edge. The weatherpoofed handle is made of ash wood with a split YD wishbone hilt. Blade length 23.5cm (9¼in) long (to the point) x 18cm (7in) wide.(Overall length 91cm (36in). Weight 1.32Kg (3lbs)
SPEAR & JACKSON
www.spear-and-jackson.com
TEL: Go to website for stockists
PRODUCT CODE: 4650PS
PRICE GUIDE: £32
KG VERDICT
The pointed blade of this traditional style spade makes for easier ground penetration and the etched depth markings are a useful visual guide when planting. The serrated edge on one side the blade will cut through weeds and the generous tread on the shoulder of the blade is good for positioning the foot securely on the downward motion. The double riveted socket makes for a strong connection between the blade and the smooth wooden handle. An excellent all-purpose spade with a shorter handle.
GOLDEN SPADE
This unique spade comes in three sizes, long, standard or small. The YD handle is made of tubular steel, and the shaft of rigid steel. Suitable for a range of garden tasks such as general purpose digging, shovelling compost, and planting trees or shrubs. Standard size measurements: Blade: 34cm (13in) long (at point) x 22.8 (9in) wide. Overall length 97.2 (38in). Weight: 1.75kg (3.¾lb).
NIWAKI
www.niwaki.com
TEL: 01747 445059
PRODUCT CODE: N/A
PRICE: from £36
KG VERDICT
This Japanese spade is quite unique. Of steel construction, it’s made to last and won’t break or bend. Of particular note (apart from its gold colour), is it’s large, pointed blade. It sinks into soil very well and because the blade is so large, it offers both width and depth when digging. It’s also good for scooping up larger quantities of soil, compost, manure or sand for redistributing or spreading, or for digging holes for planting shrubs and trees. It’s also a good tool for digging up potatoes providing you take a wide berth around the plant and go in deep. The supplier notes: ‘As the paint wears off, the steel will gradually start to rust. Regular use is the best treatment!’
