Hand forks are such handy garden tools. You can use hand forks to remove weeds, prepare planting holes and tidy the soil level around border edges. We’ve put five hand forks through their paces to help you choose the right one for your garden.
We’ve tested five different garden hand forks, to help you choose one that is suitable for your garden and your budget.
The hand forks pictured are from left to right: Sophie Conran for Burgon and Ball Fork; Spear and Jackson stainless-steel weed fork; Fiskars Weed Fork Premium; Bulldog Evergreen Rubber Hand Fork; Vega Hand Fork.
Sophie Conran for Burgon and Ball Fork
The Sophie Conran for Burgon & Ball fork is a good-looking tool, and lightweight. Beautifully made, with mirror-polished stainless steel tines. The handle and tines are connected with a solid brass ferrule. Comes in a very smart gift box, making it the perfect present. The handle is waxed FSC beechwood, but I prefer a varnished handle, as the beechwood felt rather dry – this is not an issue, however, if you wear gloves. RRP £14.95.
Tel: +44 (0)1142 338262 www.burgonandball.com
Spear and Jackson Stainless-Steel Weed Fork
Spear and Jackson Neverbend stainless-steel weed fork is everything you would expect a hand fork to be. The tines are rust resistant and the handle is soft hardwood with a varnished finish. It’s not too heavy, and it was the tool that I found the most comfortable to use over a long period of time. No bells or whistles – just a good fork. I only wish it had a cord or hole in the handle so it could be hung up. Comes with a 10-year guarantee and is my Editor’s choice. RRP £12.49
Tel: 0800 7832202. www.qualitygardentools.com
The Fiskars Weed Fork Premium
The Fiskars Weed Fork Premium is the most modern looking of the bunch. It offers a FibreComp frame (that’s plastic to you and me) and what is described as a soft grip handle – the handle is not that soft, however! It is the lightest, weighing at just 124g. Unlike the standard fork tines, it has stainless-steel prongs, which might be useful if forking in borders where you want to cause little root disturbance – but I personally prefer the old-fashioned tine. It is, however, a very robust tool, with a handy hanging hole. The quality is great, but it’s a bit too different for a traditional gardener like myself – having said that, I’m sure it will be a real hit with the more modern gardening set. RRP: £12.99
Tel: +44 (0)1159 277335. www.fiskars.co.uk
Bulldog Evergreen Rubber Hand Fork
The Bulldog Evergreen Rubber Hand Fork is the largest and heaviest of the group. It is made to last, with a carbon-steel blade. The rubber handle is the perfect solution for those who often leave their tools outside – wood will splinter, so this avoids that issue. The rubber handle is non-slip and comfy. A good quality fork but I found it too heavy to use over a long period. Might be better for a male gardener with bigger, stronger hands. Great price. Price £4.97
Tel: 01279 401572. www.bulldogtools.co.uk
The Vega Hand Fork
The Vega Hand Fork is a lovely looking tool with its sturdy bronze tines. You do feel rather special gardening with such a shiny fork. The tines are sharp, durable and deter slugs and snails, so it’s just the tool for those with a collection of hostas. The tines come with a generous 25-year guarantee. You can have your tools personalised with an inscription, which is a fantastic gift idea – this is not one to lose in the border. The inside back of the fork head is hollow. I can see it getting full of soil, which might annoy some. Weighs a very comfortable 210g, and I am convinced that this would be a hit with men, though I couldn’t say why… RRP £39
Tel: 0845 3303148. www.implementations.co.uk
For more product tests from The English Garden, click here.
Products tested by Tamsin Westhorpe
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