Re: Brands of garden tools?

Well, Chris, I don't think that's an unnecessary gripe - I think it's fully
justifiable!  I'd gripe, too.  IMO the main point of a garden fork is
turning soil and I use mine to work hard clay and lift rocks and all kinds
of stuff.   It even shifts large clumps (and I mean LARGE) of Miscanthus
without whining....and on the one I had before, a large clump snapped the
shaft in two.

Unlike Jaime, I prefer a good British made tool...got mine through Smith
and Hawkin but cannot bring the brand name to mind just now.  It was not
cheap, but it has done yeoman's service for more than 10 years with nary a
drop of oil or any loving care except trying to remember not to leave it
out in the rain.  It is heavy with a wood shaft and 'D' handle and flat
tines and tough as nails.  I went through several "cheaper" US made forks
before I finally bit the bullet and shelled out the cash and I'm glad I did
- it's likely to outlast me and I use it in preference to any other tool
for turning soil, especially unworked soil.  Also have a smaller version I
use to lift plants and muck around in planted borders - very handy, also
works nicely for lifting plants that have put themselves in my gravel drive
and been left too long as the tines get in between the gravel better than
the larger fork.

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
Editor:  Gardening in Shade
http://www.suite101.com/frontpage/frontpage.cfm?topicID=222
Gardening Topic Index for Suite101:
http://www.suite101.com/userfiles/79/gardening.html


----------
> From: Christopher P. Lindsey <lindsey@mallorn.com>
> Date: Saturday, May 30, 1998 9:23 PM
> 
> An unpleasant experience that I had tonight made me start thinking 
> about what brand of garden tools I prefer.  
> 
> ---- BEGIN UNNECESSARY GRIPE ----
> 
> The "unpleasant experience" involved a turning fork that I had purchased
> about 4 years back -- I use it to turn the soil in my existing beds and
> when I make new ones.  2 years ago the fiberglass handle fell apart,
> so Lowe's (the people for whom the tools are manufactured by Ames)
> replaced it.  This time the four metal prongs fell out, so I brought
> it back.  They told me that they couldn't replace it despite the lifetime
> warranty because I had been "using the tool incorrectly."  The manager
> informed me that this $30 turning fork was only meant to be used in
light,
> pre-turned soil.  After arguing some more I got a free replacement
(mostly
> because I still had my receipt), but he told me that it's the last time
> and "I'm 'tagged' in the computer now for this product."
> 
> I don't *think* that I was using the turning fork wrong.  Was I?  I
always
> use them to break up hardened soil -- otherwise I don't see the point
> in having one.  I *even* wash and oil my tools when I'm done using them.
> 
> So after that long gripe session, down to business...  :)

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PERENNIALS
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index