Grandads' spade

[Elaine]

Hi all. I have just acquired my late Grandads' spade which has been lurking in my Dads' shed for donkey's years. It is a Spear & Jackson digging spade, beautiful wooden handle worn smooth as you like by my Grandads' hands. The imprinted words on the metal are hardly visible and there are also some numbers...I think I might try the old "brass rubbing" technique to see if I can see what they are. My Grandad died in 1958, aged 59, and he had the spade a long time according to my Mother. We reckon it has to be 65+ years old and I would love to find out it's precise age. If I can decipher the words and numbers, or even a close match, do you think Spear & Jackson would be able to help? Supposing they are interested, that is! Any experts on old garden implements out there who could help? Cheers.

[Clive.]

Hello Elaine,
My fathers S&J spade bought in 1942/43 is inscribed Neverbend and is the No.2 size.
Recently I have purchased s/h a similar spade which I use regularly at home....it is size No1, being a slightly narrower blade....I have a feeling that I have seen one smaller either with No.3/4 or No.1/2 or was it No.0 ??..I might have just dreamt this though .....

Clive.

[Elaine]

Hello Clive. thankyou very much! Having done the "brass rubbing" bit, it is indeed a Neverbend No 1 ! I'm so pleased to have an age for Grandad's spade. I will use it with pride. It's a really "comfy" spade, if that doesn't sound too daft!! Thanks again. Cheers.

[Cider Boys]

My favourite spade is my old Spear and Jackson Neverbend.

I just love old agricultural/horticultural tools.







Keep digging
Barney

[Compo]

I love stories like this, what is amazing is how worn the end of the spade is in Barney's pics!!! I too love old worn things they have a quality about them that other things don't. A bit like me really!!

CoMpO

[Elaine]

Hi all. My Grandads' spade is worn too. I absolutely love it. Some things just can't be improved and I'm not one for fancy new fangled gadgets and gizmos anyhow!

[CJS]

I dont know about Grandads, this is my Fathers S&J fork, which I am very proud to own. No idea of its age, but I remember Dad digging the allotment in the early 50's with a new fork he had bought. Funny how things stick in the memory, thats nearly 60 years ago now, I could take you to the spot and plot now, although I think there are houses on it now!



Potatoes in the bonfire, getting black as the ace of spades picking off the hot,hot,hot!! skin, no such thing as foil! Peas off the plant . . . and planting runner beans, two per pole, hazel poles cut from the woods close by.

My Fathers brother Les, went on to become the Chrysanthemum expert for Harpend, winning many shows. I have missed out on so much as I look back?

CJS

[oldherbaceous]

Dear CJS, some people just start different things at different times in their lives, so it's never to late to try something new.