Recommendations for Reliable Gardening Tools?

[Ruderunner]

Yard sales are a great place to get tools. And looks are deceiving. I've found the stuff that looks the worst is usually the best built. Probably because they were built to last, not just look pretty on a shelf.

Stay away from anything gimmicky or single purpose. Tools that claim to be 5 in 1 are usually good at 0. Look what this can do tools usually only do that one thing and often not well or for long.

Many of my yard care hand tools are inherited from my grandfather, meaning they're nearly as old as me, possibly older. I have a snow shovel that I used as a kid, 40 years ago. Hedge trimmers of the same vintage but they need sharpened.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

Stay away from anything gimmicky or single purpose.

I don't suppose the OP needs telling this, he's renewing after all, but there are ranges that are multiple heads to make it a rake, a hoe, a broom, some useless function dreamed up by a salesman, all on one handle. Others are just a hoe, but 'Don't need rivets or screws, just snap on.' These are tools that are dug into the ground repeatedly with the leverage of a long handle, and then pulled or pushed. Gimmicky, patent, attachment systems fall apart, though sometimes they get earth in them, and fail that way first. Best attachment, a rivet that passes through the centre of the handle, second best, and still very good, three stout screws, one on top and one each side, spread along the bottom few inches of the handle so they don't make a weak point.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

I got curious and Googled 'Best garden tools'. There are a lot of advertisements claiming theirs to be the best, but there are also reviews from magazines, of course they may be taking 'commission', but they do have a reputation to consider. One of the things that struck me is that there is not a single source, if you want a hedge cutter it might be Stihl, it might be Bosc who make the better one, or the other way round for a chainsaw or shredder. Same goes for things like shears, forks, and trowels, really you need to read the reviews on individual tools, but Google can lead you to where the reviews are look for people who have had them for a bit. If you do want secateurs though, you want Felco, last you a lifetime, I am assuming they are available over there.

 

[Meadowlark]

You cannot go wrong with Stihl.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

I have never come across other Felco tools and got curious, they make shears, loppers, wire cutters, all that sort of thing, and the lifetime guarantee is there front and centre. Seems there is a sale on, they are not cheap, the steel cable cutters are down from £759.99 to £609.99, gulp. The model of secateurs I have had for years is now about £55, I think I paid in the region of £20, a long time ago, and I reckon they will see me out and still get passed on to someone, my daughter already has a pair.

 

[tyronee]

If you're looking for reliable gardening tools, I highly recommend checking out options from us standard products. Their tools are known for being durable and designed with both functionality and comfort in mind. Whether you need pruning shears, trowels, or spades, they offer high-quality options that make gardening easier and more enjoyable. Plus, they’re committed to safety and efficiency, which is always a win.

 

[Chuck]

If you're looking for reliable gardening tools, I highly recommend checking out options from us standard products. Their tools are known for being durable and designed with both functionality and comfort in mind. Whether you need pruning shears, trowels, or spades, they offer high-quality options that make gardening easier and more enjoyable. Plus, they’re committed to safety and efficiency, which is always a win.

Read the reviews.

 

[Mike313]

I am from UK, so don't know about your brands, but after years with a heavy old steel shovel I recently got a lightweight aluminium one, cuts the work by half.
Try the search function, top right, it's the sort of question that may well have been asked before.
Meanwhile, welcome to the forum.

Do you know of a UK brand name that sells a range of aluminium tools?

 

[Oldiron]

I got one a year or two ago on Amazon, I think I paid $35 Canadian if I remember correctly. Much cheaper than the Hula hoe, but works great and I've put it through hell lol. It is the only garden tool I use on a regular basis all garden season. Other than that the only garden tools I use are my tillers and shovels.

One of my tillers is a Troy-Bilt Horse, I think it was made in the 70's or early 80's but it is built to last and will last longer than me I'd imagine lol.

Another garden tool I just thought of that I use mostly in the fall is my wood chipper. A cheap one but perfect for turning all the fall leaves and garden plants into mulch for the compost, also great for any branches or small tree's 2.5 inches and under in diameter. Also, a lot of fun tossing black walnuts in it lol.. but that is for my own weird amusement and doesn't go into the compost.

I agree about the Troy Bilt, heres one I bought new in 80

 

[smitty55]

You'll never go wrong with tools of any kind from Lee Valley tools including gardening. I'm fortunate to have an outlet store in Ottawa but they have also have a US website. https://www.leevalley.com/en-us
As for hand tools, one of my favorites for sure is a Ho Mi, it's super versatile and sturdy. https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/garden/garden-care/cultivators/10519-ho-mi-diggers

 

[PGB1]

Garant is my favorite brand of shovels, picks and mattocks. They last forever. Fiberglass handles are a must for me, who over-works shovels, mattocks and such. Garant makes really good snow shovels & pushers, too.

Yarting is an Asian brand of shears and clippers with surprisingly good quality and excellent price. They stay sharp about forever.
I have several of their shears, including the best hedge shears I've ever owned. (No-Tool extendable, padded handles, no-tool adjustable tension and no-tool take apart for sharpening for $9.00 about 6 years ago with Bonsai shears and gardening gloves included.)

Fiskars makes good shears that last and stay sharp in bypass and anvil, but they tend to be a little expensive. Wiss was always good, but I don't know if the new ones are still good since Crescent bought the company and moved manufacturing to China.

The very best garden & yard tools I've found are antique tools from my parents or grandparents. For some reason, older equals better. (Just as it does with people!)

Happy Shopping!
Paul

 

[Oliver Buckle]

Do you know of a UK brand name that sells a range of aluminium tools?

Don't know about a range, but my shovel is Wilkinson Sword.