Digging Fork

**veggiechicken** · 26-02-2015, 01:37 PM

I like stainless steel as it cleans up easily and seems to have a better cutting edge - and its shiny, I like shiny

**rhonsal** · 26-02-2015, 01:40 PM

I got a reasonably priced wooden handled one in Wilko a few years back and it's been great - even when digging out old stumps. Stainless steel prongs which as VC says is easy to keep clean (and shiny)!

**Martin H** · 26-02-2015, 01:50 PM

I have a stainless steel digging fork too (birthday present!) and I use it much more than the spade that came with it. The fact that my heavy clay doesn't stick to it much is the clincher. The only potential slight downside is that stainless steel is a bit brittle and I've found that it's possible to break off tines if you use it to lever out buried house bricks or some such.

**Scoot** · 26-02-2015, 01:57 PM

I really need to get myself a digging fork as they're so much easier to use when separating big clumps of soil compared to a spade.

**Potstubsdustbins** · 26-02-2015, 04:10 PM

Carbon versus Stainless steel.

Stainless steel is carbon steel with chromium added to the mix. As well as making the stainless resistant to staining etc it makes it softer than pure carbon steel.

Therefore if you like your tools sharp you should choose carbon steel every time. Even though its harder it is also easier to sharpen and will hold its edge longer. The down side is that it is more brittle and will damage easier. Therefore if you are going to use your tools for rough strenuous work choose stainless.

**Penellype** · 26-02-2015, 04:16 PM

I have the ladies version of the carbon steel Wilkinson Sword digging fork which I have had for 32 years and I wouldn't have anything else. One thing I would note - mine has a D handle which is great. My attempts at digging with T handled forks usually end up with torn clothes as I get the T part stuck into pockets.

**TrialAndError** · 26-02-2015, 07:11 PM

The old one you have got used to is the best in my opinion. A prong broke off mine at the end of last year after 20 years or so of use - devastated!. I'll go for a cheapie from wyevales when i next visit.

**MarkHackwell** · 27-02-2015, 11:45 PM

Originally posted by veggiechicken View Post

I like stainless steel as it cleans up easily and seems to have a better cutting edge - and its shiny, I like shiny

What make is yours VC?

I was looking at this one as I have a �10 off voucher that needs to be used but not too sure:
Spear and Jackson Traditional Digging Fork 40" | Garden Trowels & Forks | Screwfix.com

or maybe a wilkinson sword one to match my spade

I definitely want a stainless steel one though

**veggiechicken** · 27-02-2015, 11:54 PM

I buy most of my tools from supermarkets when they're half price at the end of the season. I have a S/S border fork and digging fork from Asd@ and another one from Tesc0, plus a carbon steel fork from Wilk0s last year. Nothing special. I broke a tine on the border fork, levering out a root, otherwise they've been fine.
That Screwfix one looks OK if you can get it for �10

**DannyK** · 28-02-2015, 10:25 AM

My Spear & Jackson carbon steel fork and spade, which have wood D handles have seen 36 years' heavy service.
My late father had various stainless forks, all of which had snapped tines.

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