Mrs Seadog is the head gardener in our house. Birthday arriving soon, so I know she would like some new tools.
Looking for good secateurs, loppers/pruners, trowel and hand fork, that sort of stuff.
I get directed to the heavy lifting, digging holes and driving the mower.
Willing to spend good money, but wary of over paying for the same old shite that dies too quickly.
What brands and where from?
Ta!
If it were me I would be happy if someone bought me a japanese pruning saw (google/ebay - no idea what a good brand is) Maybe stock up on bandages at the same time.
secateurs - FELCO - no substitute
Not telling you what to buy the woman in your life, but if gardening related, maybe something other than tools would be nicer to receive from the hubby - such as chairs, quality gloves etc. Stuff that makes it more enjoyable.
Tools are much of a muchness once into the decent price category, if you want to buy them, for a bit of a premium you can get nice gift sets such as these;
https://m.johnlewis.com/kew-gardens-3-piece-gardening-gift-set-stainless-steel/p/1363618
If you are going for tools then agree felco secateurs are the bees knees. As far as other hand tools are concerned there are a couple of dutch firms that hand forge tools, Sneeboer and DeWit. The former are available mail order from Harrod Horticultural and the latter from Crocus although I am sure other outlets are available. The De Wit tools tend to be a bit cheaper but I have no personal experience of them. The Sneeboer spade I have is excellent.
If you want UK hand made then the lazy dog tool company on the NY Moors do some beautifully made hand trowels although their main line of products are agricultural weeders for the organically inclined.
Bulldog are good for tools
I'll offer another vote for Felco kit, particularly their secateurs and folding saw.
The Felco ones look excellent, and there's even left hand versions! Makes it an almost perfect choice.
These may not sound like wonderful presents, but gardening is Mrs Seadogs top all time favourite thing, along with tea and good chocolate.... She will appreciate good kit like we all do.
@ratadog - The Sneerboer and DeWit look wonderful, it'll be hard to choose.
I have lots of secateurs including Felco, but the most used ones are my Fiskars P56, ten years old and have multiple hand positions including two handed. They give an extra few inches of reach and can cut thicker branches than most with the extra leverage they give. Also get a sharpener for the blade.