Burgon & Ball Reviews 116

I got a Burgon and Ball Border spade and ladies fork as gifts and was really pleased with them. The spade in particular is fabulous as it has a pointed end so is really easy to dig into the ground. It is light and small enough to dig around plants, but it also easy to shovel mulch etc.
I have had these since 2017, and have treated them well, but the handle broke on my spade and one of the tines on my fork was bent.
I phoned the customer service and spoke with Malcolm who was really efficient. He advised me they had a lifetime guarantee, and lo and behold, there were no "wear and tear" clauses or "wrong weather to be digging" etc you expect companies to come out with. One email with photographs, and Malcolm had arranged for replacements to be sent to me!
I am absolutely thrilled with the design and usability of these products and the service offered by Burgon and Ball and notice card labels are attached with string not plastic which is even better. (I see a few people have complained about this in the comments, so they seem to have listened)

It's important for organisations who position themselves as being "environmentally aware" with FSC and RHS accreditation that they don't go and undermine it by thoughtlessly putting plastic laminated labels on their products. These aren't recyclable and would contaminate clean recycling. Bar code 5 019360 008491.

I wear knee pads in the garden mainly to protect my knees from damp which is necessary at my age. I bought a pair of Burgon and Ball knee pads two years ago which are no longer of any use as the velcro on them is rubbish. They fall off as soon as I bend my knee.

I base my comment only on my experience of this company's lawn rake.
Whilst it looks good, enjoys RHS endorsement and has a life-time guarantee it represents poor value for money. I am now on my third rake (under guarantee), the first two having broken in an identical fashion after a couple of uses. The welding of the tines appears to be very poor and fails quickly. My retailer said that I was not the only customer to return this rake with the same problem. This is really not acceptable for a tool that is priced at the expensive end of the market.
I trust that Burgon and Ball rigorously reviews returned products and is undertaking remedial action with its manufacturer.

I had quite a small purchase that was a little damaged on arrival. Their prompt response, including a refund on my return postage, as well as a quick replacement of the item and personable attitude, was excellent.

ONE TELEPHONE CALL!!!!!! This is all it took for Sophie at Reception to respond to my cry for help. I had lost the small screw securing one of the blades to my garden shears. Sophie sent me not one but THREE replacement screws. Great service above and beyond the generally expected levels of service. Thanks Sophie and Burgon and Ball, in my book you are all stars.

The Super Slice is a great idea of a tool. Unfortunately the cutting head is riveted (soft rivets) to the handle. The rivets wore through in 4 months and the cutting head fell off. B and B were very good and sent me a replacement (unfortunately not the right one but, to be fair, this was probably a misunderstanding). I will have the tool head welded to the handle which I think would be the best solution in the first place. I’ll more than likely purchase this item again but will have it welded from day one.

Lawn Shear and Secateurs.
Absolute rubbish. I've put up with this useless, poorly designed, heavy Shear for ages (well - barely used really after initial disappointment - been sitting in shed until I got it out again today) because it was so expensive.

It makes my back ache within minutes of use and is weighted/designed so that the user does the hard work rather than the tool. Awful. And handles are far too long.

Should have known from the most unhelpful attitude of the lady who answered the phone when I ordered who, when I asked how to keep it sharp, replied "we don't get involved in advice for that". They don't get involved in ergonomic design and durable quality either if my customer experience is anything to go by.
The secateurs became blunt quickly (quicker than my cheap own brand ones) and have a poor quality plastic lock too.
Not impressed and very disappointed.

I bought a long handled trowel, a garden fork and a garden spade, all from Burgon and Ball via a small gift shop on my village and only the garden spade isn’t dead. The trowel snapped off on the metal, between the actual spade and the rod when I was one-handedly trying to dig a very small thistle from very soggy and wet lawn. The fork handle cracked and snapped off completely under the minute pressure of turning soil in an established garden bed and neither of the tools had been used more than half a dozen times and were never ever left out in the weather as I have a lovely tool rack installed in my garage and rinse and hang the tools again after use. I am frustrated and frankly quite disgusted at the poor quality for the massive price! More than three times the cost of a similar hardware tool. Sadly I will now go to the hardware and buy ugly tradie tools for my garden from here on in. Obviously the B and B tools are no longer UK quality, regardless of the motto. I wish I could post pics of the two tools as the poor quality is obvious.

My neighbour managed to snap the handle of a transplanting spade a fortnight ago, it has been used six times in the past year. I offered to look for a replacement handle and contacted the manufacturer.

Their representative replied that they do not supply parts for the product (leaving her with a useless stainless steel blade) or it should be taken to the original store, RHS Wisley - about 20 mile round trip - to 'assess' what they might do.

I will look for a similar handle online, she will not be buying anything from this company again.

Purchased half moon lawn edger in 2018, unfortunately the shaft broke after little usage.
I reported the problem to Burgon & Ball on the 11th May 2021 received a reply to my email within a very short time.
A replacement was received today.
Excellent customer service, thank you very much.

Recently purchased the ground rake. I have barely had it for one month and the weldings both snapped this morning when i was racking some heavier soil. A waste of time and money. Do not buy!

Don't be misled about this company and their 'Britishness'. Only when pushed do they admit their tools are made in China!

The Burgon and Ball small ground breaking spade is extremely well made and easy to use. If you are buying garden tools I think it is really worth considering their products.

I think it is an awesome tool... my only issue is, how do you carry it safely? I’m a professional gardener and have only just acquired this tool. Although I would recommend it highly, I have to put it in my back pocket whilst using my secateurs; yep, tripped over and nearly severed myself in 2! Maybe provide a sheath! How are you meant to carry it around whilst wielding other tools??????????????

For shears very good, do not fork out for stainless steel fork, if you do, keep your guarantee nice and handy unlike myself. When I bought this product in September 2018 it was solely for aereating a customers lawn, this is my third and sadly, last time.
When I looked at it I thought it looked a bit thin at the joining between tines and the handle sheath but bought on reputation.
I will continue to buy shears which they are good at, but that is all.