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Gardening in Oz

Good tools?

20 years ago

Hi Aussie gardeners,

I'm looking to buy a new garden fork, and I'm looking for QUALITY. I want something well made that will last a lifetime. I seem to be the only consumer interested in the Big Q, instead of just a low price.

A recent jaunt to Bunnings highlighted the problem - one of the forks on sale had a badly cracked weld in the fork itself. Sheesh.

So can anybody recommend a good retailer (Sydney region or mail order) of quality garden tools? I'm hoping to not have to ship something over from the other side of the planet...

Thanks much,

~Greg Bell

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Comments (6)

User
20 years ago
We have had garden tools for years, there are plenty of good brands out there even in Bunnings..But then again nothing like the old tools made many years ago..This is where the Sunday Markets, Garage Sales and Deceased Estates come into it. We have a lot of Cyclone tools, and some brand of English ones that were my Dads and as I am in my 60's they would be about 70 years old. Hubby has put a new handle on only one fork in all those years..

I reckon the older it is the better it is, many people throw away garden tools because they don't know how to put a good Expensive wooden handle on, so have a look around you may pick up a garden tool for a couple of dollars even if it costs $20-$30 for a decent handle .....Cheers...MM.
lomatia
20 years ago
MM, you are absolutely right. The old tools from markets etc are far better quality than the stuff from Asia. Mind you, I suspect that my SS spade (which I really like) came from the north as well!
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goldhills
20 years ago
Most of my tools were my grandfathers and he died at 72 when I was 12yrs old. My father then used them until he moved to a smaller place and gave them to us. Many of the handles had been replaced by my grandfather (he was a timber cutter in his younger days) with timber from the bush and are still going strong.

I had trouble buying decent secauteurs (spelling). When I worked at a nursery, they recommended felco but the ones I bought for $30+ (this was 15-20yrs ago) didn't last any longer than the $2.99 ones from Kmart. I have now got a pair I bought about 5yrs ago and paid about $10 for. I think it is spear and jackson (the writing has nearly worn off) and they are still going strong.
User
20 years ago
Hi Greg,

It all comes down to the quality of the steel in the end. China does not have a particularly good reputation for good steel. Go old if you can!! With new you pretty much get what you pay for. Good steel isn't cheap.

There is an Aust. made brand of stainless steel tools called Digadoo. (www.digadoo.com.au) They are in Mittagong and online. Don't have any experience with them though.

Cheers,
Dee.
ashmeri
20 years ago
Markets, garage sales of older homes not so much the newer ones as they may have the "Up North of us" tools.
I fyou are near a farm clearance sale they have some wonderful old tools there that have lasted the times and still going strong, made from tough steel.

Nothing worse than digging with a new shiny garden fork and having the prongs bend backwards when you put your foot on the thing.
Marion
macbirch
14 years ago
Btw the genuine suggestion in the 4th reply has been noted, thanks.

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