Long Handle Spade & Stirrup Hoe

One of the nice things about running this web site is that I get sent things to try out occasionally. This time I’ve been sent a new spade and a stirrup hoe.

Long Handled Spade

Long Handled Spade

Long Handled Spade

One thing all gardeners should know is that it is important to have a spade with a handle that is long enough. Too short handles mean that you never straighten up whilst digging and backache is a certainty.

Alan Waterfall of Standwell Tools sent me one of his long handled spades to try out. Now I have a long handled fork that I find invaluable for harvesting potatoes but I’ve never had a long handled spade, so I was really interested in giving this a try.

First thing I noticed was the stainless blade, nicely made with a curved top so making pressing down easy. I really can’t use spades with sharp tops and don’t understand how anyone else can either.

The wooden handle was lovely, slotting into a deep tube. You just know it’s a quality tool when you handle it. Bit like a car, you don’t need to be Clarkson to know a Rolls Royce is well made.

You don’t use it in exactly the same way as a normal spade, the idea is to avoid backache caused by bending. However, you need to keep in mind that the handle can exert a lot of leverage and you could break it.

Cleverly, Alan shows you exactly how to use it efficiently and easily on his web site. It does take a few minutes to get used to the new way of digging but it’s surprisingly easy. The best thing is you avoid bending and if you suffer with a bad back, well worth giving a try.

I’m not throwing away my old spade just yet, the long handled spade isn’t as good when it comes to moving soil into a barrow for example, but I’m fixing up hooks in the shed as the long handled spade is going to be a permanent useful tool.

More information here: Standwell Tools

Stirrup Hoe

John Harrison with Stirrup Hoe

The Stirrup Hoe

For years now I’ve had two hoes in my shed, a Dutch hoe for weeding and a draw hoe that I use for drawing a trench or earthing up. Now I must admit that, after years of practice, I rarely cut a plant off with the hoe but it does happen.

The Dutch hoe is pushed and usually accidents happen when I push too hard but the stirrup hoe is worked by pulling the blade back. This does make it easier to control I’d suggest a lot easier for someone who’s not used to hoeing.

The blade is self-sharpening too, pulling it through the soil keeps the blade with a good edge whereas I have to stop every half hour and sharpen my Dutch how.

I haven’t had chance to give it a really good trial yet but just clearing one bed makes me think my Dutch hoe is going to be retired soon.

Happily, it’s not expensive to buy the stirrup hoe, which comes either as head only or you can buy it with a handle but most good hardware shops will sell a broom handle that will do the job for a couple of pounds.

There’s more information here: Stirrup Hoes

Posted in Tools & Stuff
4 comments on “Long Handle Spade & Stirrup Hoe
  1. Conor Jamieson says:

    At last – I have been looking online for a long handled spade for ages! I used to use one as a kid, digging random holes (as kids do), in the West of Ireland years ago; my dad’s spade was bigger than me, used to jump up and down on the blade to get it into the ground! Still easier than using my current, small spade. I will definitely be checking out this link!

  2. John says:

    I was given a Sneerboer long handle spade as a leaving gift from my last job. Expensive but beautifully made and lovely to use. It is not like the one illustrated but a longer handled conventional spade. Very easy on the back.

  3. Dave Prosser says:

    I have used a long handled spade for several years now although my blade is more shovel shaped, but it is the best tool in my shed once you get used to the different muscles being used (upper arms) I find I can dig alot longer with no pressure on my back.I have heard them called a Cornish spade but I’m not if that is the correct name for them.

  4. Tom Deegan says:

    Tom Deegan

    I had a long handled spade and fork from either Aldi or Lidl. The spade was great but its handle broke so I used one of my smaller spades and did my back in, something awful. i ‘ve changed the handle now and have an even longer handle I’m sure it will be fine.
    The other thing I do to ease my back is to kneel when I dig this is the best thing when getting out couch grass becuse even with a long handled spade one has to bend to get the blasted stuff.

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