The Standwell Long Pattern Spade
 Download the information sheet.
| Welcome to Standwell Tools home of the Standwell Long Pattern Spade.You know how tough it is to dig over the allotment or vegetable patch. Throw away your old spade and dig from a standing position with the Standwell Long Pattern Spade, do more work, minimise bending and reduce the likelihood of back pain. v EXTRA LONG HANDLE v SPECIALLY ANGLED SOCKET v FULL WIDTH, SHORTER BLADE v LIGHTWEIGHT STAINLESS STEEL v TRADITIONAL ASH HANDLE v FOR ALLOTMENT OR GARDEN
The extra long handle and carefully designed socket & blade combination make this spade very different to other so–called long handled spades. It is so light and easy to use you will want to do more work! See the video demonstration below and read the review by John Harrison of Allotment Growing. |
Standard Technique in Previously Broken Soil
All gardeners know how to use a spade but here are some suggestions from more than ten years of experience using the Long Pattern Spade. For general operating instructions and how to break new ground see the guides below.
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Please remember to clean and dry your tool after use and from time to time wipe the blade over with lubricant. Never leave tools outside, always store safely in the dry.
The Long Pattern spade is designed for domestic use in the garden or allotment in previously broken soil. It is not a trenching tool, NEVER use it to lever up boulders or rocks, bushes, trees and the like.
Go to http://www.allotment.org.uk for comprehensive advice, equipment sales, allotment diaries, photographs, advice about growing vegetables, fruits and herbs with a forum for chatting on the plot.
Download the information sheet and operating instructions
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Standwell Long Pattern Spade.pdf Size : 8338.421 Kb Type : pdf |
Technique for Breaking New Ground Especially in Heavy Soils
I have broken new ground on several allotments with this type of spade and I strongly recommend the following technique to avoid damage to the spade.
Please note, each shaft is individually shaped for the best grip and is only about 25mm in diameter near to the top of the handle. Despite the long handle the leverage should be used only for lifting soil in broken ground. TO LEVER IN NEW GROUND NEVER USE THE FULL LENGTH OF THE SHAFT, INSTEAD PULL BACK GENTLY AT NO MORE THAN 6OOmm FROM THE TOP OF THE SOCKET.
You must avoid the temptation to prise up trees or rocks! This is a strong tool tested to BS 55 loading but you must not swing on the handle!
With normal use, this spade will give many, many years of service, the original with a shaft at least 50 years old is still going strong.
To break new ground, first remove all brambles, long grass and perenial weed.
If you are left with a turf-like surface lift the top layer by chopping
the surface into strips of blade width and length then sliding the blade
underneath. You will find the angle of the socket to the shaft makes
this tough task much easier than if you were to use a conventional
spade.
Once you have cleared a useful area, say 1.22m (4 ft.) square, adopt a
position at right angles to your final digging pattern, sink the blade
with usual force and lever back about 10 -15 degrees to disturb the
soil, hold the shaft no more than 600mm from the top of the socket. Go all over the patch at 100 mm intervals.
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Once this is done, do
the same in your normal digging pattern (usually left to right, top to
bottom), then you can lift the soil. I know this sounds rather a lot of
work but because you are stood upright throughout the process it can be
accomplished quickly and reduces strain on you and the spade. I know, I
have done it many times!
My other tip, if you are on an allotment for the first time, never do
too much at once. If the plot is typically about 7 paces across do no
more than a 1.22 m (4ft.) section on any one day. By the way, standing
around gazing at the sky and chatting is highly
recommended.
Go to http://www.allotment.org.uk for comprehensive advice, equipment sales, allotment diaries, photographs, advice about growing vegetables, fruits and herbs with a forum for chatting on the plot.
