Garden Tools - Where to get GOOD Tools?

[sweet thunder]

When I was a kid, all boys carried a pocket knife, a tube of chapstick, and a clean handkerchief. Things change.

Ted

Yup, things do change. Now women carry those things. At least I do.

[tedln]

sweet thunder,

Yes, even when I was a kid; there were always a few girls who were prepared to take charge when necessary. They were the girls who could take care of problems themselves without running to someone else for help. They always carried the same tool and first aid kit as the boys. I admired them.

I still carry all the basic tools, but I have added a small LED flashlight to my pocket kit so I can take care of things in the dark now. When I still had hair, I carried a pocket comb. Since the comb is no longer necessary, I have room for the light.

Ted

[gixxerific]

Dono,

I'm not sure what a razor knife is. I've carried a pocket knife since I was a little kid. It is probably the most essential tool I've owned. I assumed all men and boys still carry pocket knives but they don't. Seems kids in school would be charged with carrying a deadly weapon if they had one in their pocket. When I was a kid, all boys carried a pocket knife, a tube of chapstick, and a clean handkerchief. Things change.

Ted

The razor knife I am talking about a craftsman product, thought made boy others as well. You can find them at home depot, lowe's ect. It's basically a folding knife that holds a an angled razor blade. So it's a pocket knife that never goes dull just change the razor and wallah. A really [url=https://rd.ss.yahoo.com/SIG=151bt4fsm/M=500312723.0.0.0/D=shp/P=/S=96199298:GRID/G=.25/I=/A=1/R=0/J=1254659941411290.005c2073e/cid=96698018/lnt=1;_ylt=Amm4r5m48RzhDjoMpCe0.saC4rsF/**http%3A%2F%2Fm1428.ic-live.com%2F274%2F%3F19290688]indispensable tool[/url] in my life.



I may have to go check out what else they halve at Chic Lumber cause this trowel is the bomb. I have owned Do-It tool before. They have been around a while.[/img]

[The Helpful Gardener]

I love this place...

[url=https://www.hidatool.com/shop/shop.html]Hida Tool and Hardware[/url]

Hori hori knives and Japanese half sickles are tools I am very attached to; so useful in so many different jobs. Dead-heading is a breeze with a half-sickle. and the hori hori knife just goes on my belt next to the Felcos; used for a dozen different weeding tasks a day... and the saws and shears are the best steel going; last forever...

HG

[NatGreeneVeg]

I'm a big believer in the right tool for the right job. Makes life easier and a working a pleasure. Four things I can't live without on a daily basis in the garden:

1) [url=https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=safari&rls=en-us&num=100&q=atlas+nitrile+garden+gloves&aq=f&oq=&aqi=]Atlas Nitrile[/url] Garden Gloves or [url=https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=safari&rls=en-us&num=100&q=bamboo+nitrile+garden+gloves&aq=f&oq=&aqi=]Bamboo Nitrile[/url] Garden Gloves

2) [url=https://www.felcostore.com/]Felco #12 Bypass Pruner[/url] with Rotating Handle. I love to prune and these are amazing, a joy to use.

3) [url=https://images.google.com/images?hl=en&client=safari&rls=en-us&num=100&resnum=0&q=14%22%20all%20pro%20digging%20trowel&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi]14" All Pro Trowel[/url], one piece, durable has heck, stainless steel, works like a charm.

4) A Rabbiting Spade - narrow, rounded corner going down the center, blunt triangle end. Can't find a good photo that resembles mine which has a bit more of an angle down the center than normal ones and a blunt triangle for a bit more of a cutting action when you break thru the ground, with a D handle and perfect foot area to use leverage. This is hands down, my favorite, all time tool to dig with for anything I can think of. When I work in public gardens, everyone always asks about it because they can see how well it works.

More absolutes, but not on a daily basis:
[url=https://www.felcostore.com/]Felco Bypass Loppers #22[/url], [url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000950Q2/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_I=B00004SD74&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1YJY0APSBH8R39TC0S6Q]Small, lightweight 18" Fiskars[/url] Bypass Lopper, [url=https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=safari&rls=en-us&num=100&q=anvil+pruners+loppers&aq=f&oq=&aqi=]Anvil[/url] pruners and loppers for dead wood.

Felcos are by far industry standard among arborists and professional gardeners. They are built to last longer than a lifetime. You can take them apart for cleaning, and replace individual parts. They're not disposable like so many other tools these days. I keep them sharpened and in a leather sheath that has a belt clip.

Many gardeners I know love the [url=https://images.google.com/images?client=safari&rls=en-us&q=Nejiri%20Gama%20Hoe&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi]Japanese Nejiri Gama Hoe[/url], look for a stainless steel version.

[gixxerific]

How did I know it would be you Nat. If I haven't welcomed you I am now. Every post I have subscribed to you are there, and that is good cause I know you will have something good to add.

I use Atlas gloves everyday at work, I also Like the Fisker brand just about anything.

Nice to have someone nearby to be able to relate with, having virtually the same weather pattern and whatnot. Glad to have you aboard.

P.S. I have a secret for you: NO RAIN NEXT WEEK for once.

[The Helpful Gardener]

Like [url=https://www.gardenhardware.com/spjr560.html]this[/url] Nat?

I have a [url=https://www.wwmfg.com/default.asp?contentID=1099]King of Spades[/url] KS-S, the original one, that I have used and abused for years, dug big trees, pried out boulders, roots, and more, and even ran over with a pick-up once. These are the best shovels ever and I use this one ten to one, with the others in my fleet, which all wear out and break and get replaced, but not this one. My favorite, most used tool right after the Felcos (like many old pros I am still a [url=https://www.felcostore.com/order1.jsp?code=F2]#2[/url] guy after all these years.)

HG

[NatGreeneVeg]

Like [url=https://www.gardenhardware.com/spjr560.html]this[/url] Nat?

No, too round at the bottom and no angle down the center.

More like [url=https://www.wwmfg.com/img/Product_Images/Products_Small/KS-D-15_LG_SM.JPG]this[/url] (in principle) from your other link.

[The Helpful Gardener]

It's not a [url=https://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=203497599&listingid=54505051]trenching shovel[/url]is it?

HG

[NatGreeneVeg]

It's not a [url=https://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=203497599&listingid=54505051]trenching shovel[/url]is it?

HG

Oh no, I hated those until I found out what they were for, which is to get rocks out of ditches - there is no foot hold. The angle down the center on mine is more like a rounded corner, more distinct. And 2-3 of inches wider then the trenching shovel.

[pharmerphil]

Retiring gardeners & farm tool auctions .

The old stuff really is the best!! I've been looking for 3 years now for a rake I can't bend and I'm on 5'2". Still each rake I purchase at big box stores (and not cheaply) end up bent backwards in a couple weeks .

I have an old hoe from up at my cottage (shhh, no one knows it's missing...) that is FANTASTIC.

I AGREE Nes...the old stuff is the best..I have had a potato fork for so many years I can't even remember...a Farm auction special! left outside sometimes by mistake...sometimes for convenience...just keeps digging those tators...

and the rakes you mentioned...any one have a need for three or four broken rakes, some have 50% of the handle left

[NatGreeneVeg]

P.S. I have a secret for you: NO RAIN NEXT WEEK for once.

Thank goodness! I was getting pretty grumpy after two weeks of sunless sky! Thanks for the welcome. I woke up yesterday and thought it was June 2010 because of the weather!

Retiring gardeners & farm tool auctions ...The old stuff really is the best!!

Garage sales. That's where I found the spade I was talking about.

[The Helpful Gardener]

I like an [url=https://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://www.backyardstyle.com/shop/shop_image/product/697d1e28b2fbd6ab5c2279a2d6fabe3e.jpg&imgrefurl=https://www.backyardstyle.com/shop/index.php%3Fpage%3Dshop-flypage-14559&usg=__wU5V1Q2iCk6sDBbnumY_4hVmAJE=&h=455&w=455&sz=8&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=m033Dq7Jr6dsLM:&tbnh=128&tbnw=128&prev=/images%3Fq%3Daction%2Bhoe%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG]action hoe[/url]to keep the soil from becoming disurbed at depth, digging up old weed seed and ruining fungal hyphae. The deeper you cultivate, the more issues you will have later...

HG