Spade Material

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Spade Material

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quixoticgeek

Joined: 23 Dec 2008
Posts: 296
Location: Canterbury

Posted: Wed Jul 10, 13 12:43 am Post subject: Spade Material
I am in need of a new spade, and have narrowed down which one I want to get, but it comes in two versions, a Carbon Steel, and a Stainless Steel version. Does anyone have any opinions on which is better for general garden use? Thanks J

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Wed Jul 10, 13 7:17 am Post subject:
Carbon steel is more likely to rust, but will hold a sharp edge longer. Stainless wont rust, but will dull quicker. Carbon steel is probably tougher, too. A rusty spade is much harder to use.

vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21301
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd

Posted: Wed Jul 10, 13 7:31 am Post subject:
Carbon steel if you keep it clean. Stainless is good though but more expensive.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Wed Jul 10, 13 7:43 am Post subject:
Are they identical? I have a stainless spade that doesn't have flattened shoulders, it's just the edge of the blade. This means it's damages your boots if you use your foot to drive the spade in when digging.

vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21301
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd

Posted: Wed Jul 10, 13 8:23 am Post subject:
You should see BA's feet.

Dreamcatcher

Joined: 04 Apr 2013
Posts: 82
Location: Brechfa Forest

Posted: Wed Jul 10, 13 8:53 am Post subject:
I bought a stainless steel spade which snapped the first week I had it. It was probably a defect in the steel but it put me off going for another one. I exchanged it for a carbon steel type as they seem to be a lot more tougher and that is what I've used ever since.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Wed Jul 10, 13 9:00 am Post subject:
I've snapped a stainless trowel but not had a problem with my two stainless spades and I'm not the weakest person. Unless you're really levering something the I expect it would only break if it has a manufacturing defect.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46368
Location: yes

Posted: Wed Jul 10, 13 11:12 am Post subject:
old carbon steel ,give it a polish ,sharp edge and new handle if needed. i spent �40 on a stainless one that bent a footplate is nice as a slight aside a pick n shovel style entrenching tool seems perfect for the jobs too tight for a spade and too big for a trowel.bout �15 from surplus suppliers.

Behemoth

Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 19023
Location: Leeds

Posted: Wed Jul 10, 13 11:19 am Post subject:
I've had a stainless one for about 8 years now, served me well, saw most work in the first two years, now used occasionally as the fork has taken over.

quixoticgeek

Joined: 23 Dec 2008
Posts: 296
Location: Canterbury

Posted: Wed Jul 10, 13 11:46 am Post subject:

Treacodactyl wrote:

Are they identical? I have a stainless spade that doesn't have flattened shoulders, it's just the edge of the blade. This means it's damages your boots if you use your foot to drive the spade in when digging.

I believe the head and handle are identical. The two I am thinking of are:

Neverbend Carbon Steel Border spade

Neverbend Stainless Steel Border spade

I think they both have a slight shoulder so you don't entirely knacker your boots...

I am leaning towards the Stainless one.

J

Dreamcatcher

Joined: 04 Apr 2013
Posts: 82
Location: Brechfa Forest

Posted: Wed Jul 10, 13 1:17 pm Post subject:
Dont lean too hard, it might snap!!

baldybloke

Joined: 24 May 2008
Posts: 1388
Location: Wiltshire

Posted: Wed Jul 10, 13 3:00 pm Post subject:
I'm still using my grandads spade probably from the 1920's. Its well worn and sharp as a knive. Go find and old one and it will see you out.

Ty Gwyn

Joined: 22 Sep 2010
Posts: 4613
Location: Lampeter

Posted: Wed Jul 10, 13 4:03 pm Post subject:

baldybloke wrote:

I'm still using my grandads spade probably from the 1920's. Its well worn and sharp as a knive. Go find and old one and it will see you out.

Same here,

Look out for an Elwell or similar make,made to last.

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 16105

Posted: Thu Jul 11, 13 6:09 am Post subject:
We use Elwell billhooks, and I can recommend them, so the spades should also be good. I have a stainless steel spade my father had, and apart from being a bit worn because he did a lot of work on solid chalk, it is in very good condition.

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