[jpsmith]

I'm interested in knowing if you've purchased yard tools (shovels, rakes, hoes, etc) that you're particularly happy with. Where did you purchase them? What brand, model, etc? I have a hard time finding garden spades and rakes that can withstand the punishment I give them. I know it's a lot to ask of a shovel to be able to turn a previously-tilled vegetable garden without the blade actually bending backwards, or for a half-moon edger to slice the top soil without the handle snapping off where the blade is bolted through it, but I imagine there must be ones out there than can handle this much abuse!

Seriously, the garden tools available to buy at HD & Lowes are crap. Those of you that really need these tools to serve you well, where do you buy them? What brands/models should I look for?

Thanks!

 

[ratherbefishin']

Go to a real tool supply, or a good farm or garden supply and look for Union/Razorback Pro or Jackson, or even the higher end Ames brand. I believe Ames has bought out most of the others at this point. You get what you pay for:wink:

 

[gma2rjc]

The half-moon edger I have (about 10 years now) is all one solid piece of steel. I'm pretty sure I got it at Lowe's, but they might have switched to selling poorer quality edgers.

I've had good luck with Ame's(sp?) brand yard tools.

I'm not sure about brand names, I just look for tools that don't have ANY plastic parts that also look sturdy.

With tools, you usually get what you pay for.

 

[jpsmith]

Thanks for the replies. While it's true that you usually get what you pay for with tools, I just cant seem to win with garden tools. I don't know where else to buy them locally besides the big boxes, and what I've bought there has been terrible. I've bought the best (read: most expensive) they offer, and invariably they fail me. The half-moon edger came from one of those stores. The wooden handle broke at the joint with the head within 5 minutes of first use. They wouldn't take it back. The Ames spade I bought there is as flimsy as a cookie sheet. When I try to dig clay with it, the blade bends backwards. The old hand-me-down shovels I have from yesteryear can handle this stuff. I also bought one of those fiberglass-handled spades. The handle is nice and strong, as is the blade, but the joint between the two is prone to twisting.

I'll look into Union/Razorback Pro and Jackson. I wonder where I might find them locally. What constitutes a a real tool supply, or a good farm or garden supply? Does Tractor Supply or Agway count?

 

[gma2rjc]

That's too bad about your edger. It would be worth checking Tractor Supply or if you have an Ace Hardware nearby.