Broke another spade today

[Zeus (Joel)]

 Any ideas on a good one for the beach that will last longer than a couple of months and a good place to buy it from ?

[Tafflaff (Rob)]

Get a Black  Ada Zeus, careful though as some of them have a small blade. The black ada are solid though .

[Zeus (Joel)]

There's a few versions from what I could see. What would you reccommend for beach use ?

[Chef Geoff]

Black Ada are generally too small for beach detecting. The strain on spades used on the beach comes leverage and the sheer weight of wet sand.
If beach detecting is your thing then get the proper tools and buy a good sand scoop, I wouldn't bother with a UK made one as they are madly expensive. This link takes you to the ones I can strongly recomend;
http://www.stavrscoop.com/

[dragonsbreath(Paul)]

I use a stainless steel border spade bought from B & Q £25 cost me
has the added advantage of flat edges on top of blade to protect your boots etc.
And very strong cheers PaulB.

[Sewin]

What a coincidence re. mention of B&Q stainless spade.  I returned the one I bought in September yesterday and had a full refund.  It was rusting and the shaft was splitting.  I had emailed the manufacturer, Joseph Bentley,  regarding the faults and they showed very little concern but eventually did offer me a pair of gloves as compensation.  Not satisfied with that, I did what I should have done in the first place and went back to B&Q.
Desperate for a spade, I went to Wilkinson's and bought a cheapie that cost under a fiver with the 25% discount.  I have put a point on it with a hacksaw and it has been given full pressure on the beach for two days and so far it's OK.
Returned to Wilkinson's yesterday and got another as they are so cheap and will sculpt a different shape with hacksaw.
I appreciate that there is a lot of truth in the old saying of "buy cheap, buy twice", but the B&Q one for about 5 times the amount was not the best of investments.

[CZFisher-man]

Check this "scoop" out!



http://metaldetectingforum.com/showthread.php?t=113384

[16.5DD (richard)]

I am sorry to disagree with that type spade it is ok for clean sandy beaches but is no good for any rocks in the way.
May I suggest a wilkinson's sword power spade I broke 17 other types in about 18 months but I can safely say 3 years on my wilkinson is still battling the ground and have lifted 20 plus manholes at work so can really vouch they are worth buying. Be sure not to get the one with rivets through the bottom mind you they are pants.
The steel is born and takes one hell of a beating ask anyone I am brutal on spades so if it ain't broke by me in a year it would last most people 20.

Where available at one point in Home bargains at like £8 but think only available from B&Q now at £30 try online for one though 1st

[Chef Geoff]

I'm totally agree, I have one that's been cut down and they are brilliant. It seems as if the border version has been discontinued other than through B&Q also the same design/name/metal is now made by Fiskars not Wilkinson
Very light and very strong, I got mine from..........um?.........ur?.....Oh you know, that short chap with no hair?  Oh! I remember now, it was the face of DW himself

[daimole]

Looking for a new spade myself going to need a strong one when I get my BLISSTOOL 64XV3