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  Eugene Baston March 18, 2013 at 2:46pm

  Hi

  I was reminded only on Saturday of just how good and trusty my S&J digging spade has been to me over the years. On that occasion it made easy going of bamboo culms with the associated plethora of running roots all over the bed I was digging.

  It's a long handled version too which makes it easier for a six footer! It flexs perfectly when the going gets tough - and having written all of the above I bet it will snap on me in the next outing!

  But if it does I'd go here:

  http://www.spearandjackson-online.co.uk/acatalog/Spear-and-Jackson-...

  Cheers, Eugene
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  David Cox March 18, 2013 at 2:53pm

  Try a mattock for stuborn roots. can get most stumps out in a fraction of the time, and alot easier on your back if you use it correctly.
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  Gareth Main @ Newick Landscapes March 18, 2013 at 5:01pm

  The all metal 'fencers graft' are good for hacking through roots and levering out small shrubs, that and an axe for the thicker ones.
• PRO

  Nick@Garden-Styles March 18, 2013 at 5:23pm

  Fencers Graft as Gareth said above. Great double act for digging posthole's with spoons.
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  John Baker March 18, 2013 at 5:36pm

  Try an 'Irish spade'. As an englishman i had not come across them before I moved here, but now would not use anything else...i have one traditional spade stainless steel which has been used for formal tree planting ceremonies only.
  They have a great saying here about somebody who is miserable..."He has a face like a Lurgan spade"
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  John Baker March 18, 2013 at 6:56pm

  
  I believe that traditionally they had the straight shaft, but most of those sold now have the T top. Spear and Jackson make them too. Another great bit of kit is 'the long tail shovel', known as an Irish shovel across the water and if you get one with the right weight and thickness of shaft, can be used efficiently all day for moving bulk anything.

  Should also mention graips and potato graips...wouldn't be without either.

  http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/pattersons-spade-mill/

  
  Ben Scott said:

  Although, strangely enough, I have never seen one like that in Ireland, and they are interestingly made by Bulldog, enough to confuse me anyway!

  I knew they existed but the wooden shaft has always put me off.
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  Kieran Ray March 18, 2013 at 8:41pm

  Depending on the root/surroundings we use different things.

  Fencing spade
  cable laying spade
  mattock
  the all metal contractor shovels
  fencing spike
  or if on site a digger with a narrow bucket
• PRO

  Nick @ NM Garden Services Ltd March 18, 2013 at 8:55pm

  This is the business.
  
  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-20779-10-2Kg-Ground-Buster/dp/B00850...
• PRO

  Able Gardens March 18, 2013 at 9:21pm

  Some great replies, not keen on the wooden handles, suppose its just a personal thing.

  Id not considered a fencing spade surely the handle is too long?, not sure it would be strong enough, with me putting all my weight down through it. Considered the Matlock, but im not happy weilding this about, some of my customers have kids, and often sneak up behind me with a pot of tea etc etc.

  Ben- the Newcastle draining spade looks very weak where the handle meets the blade

  Nick that Draper Ground Buster says its "A dynamic solution for when power is not available", i've plenty power! I just need a good tool.

  I wanted a versatile spade that I can do everything with, maybe im trying to do too much with 1 tool?

  P.S Kieran, not too sure my customer would appreciate me tearing through her hedgerow with a digger and narrow bucket,just to pull a shrub root and destroy everything within its vicinity/border, that had me laughing.
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  Mr Bradley Goodman March 18, 2013 at 10:00pm

  You can't go wrong with a bulldog