Rosie,

A lot of your original message is copy-and-pasted from the Joe Gardener website without labelling it as a direct quotation.

However, although you just signed up a few days ago, on May 31, which in itself is a little suspicious, you have posted an impressive number of non-advertising messages, so I think we should give you the benefit of the doubt and not label you as an advertiser. Sorry about that, Rosie.

You probably know that the forums are ongoing targets for attempts at free advertising, so people are a little bit sensitive about that. And your message did happen to have several of the earmarks of a free advertisement.

But I, for one, am taking you at face value as a new and prolific participant on the Garden Web. Welcome.

MM

I wanna see a picture of this mysteriously wonderful shovel.

Mikie,

Here's a picture of a {{gwi:311833}}.

MM

wow, thanks.
One evil looking shovel. My luck...some passing cop would tazer me,, drop your weapon, Now..

Mikie,

It's the kind of shovel I imagine a Klingon would use, if Klingons gardened, which I am pretty sure they don't. OK, weeds, today is a good day to die...

MM

the kind of shovel I imagine a Klingon would use

Finally -- the duscussion takes an interesting direction!

Of course, the Romulans would use it cloaked to trick the weeds...

So why the censure of the previous comments? I don't get it. People expressed their opinion that it looked like an advertisement and that they did not like it. Someone backed up that Rosie was not spamming. All apologized. Why the censure?

I think it would have been better left alone. Others reading the thread would see what the community collectively deems acceptable. Now it looks like an advertisement type posting is ok. Poor move moderator, in my opinion.

Where to buy?

Mwieder,

Apparently you have to order by phone at the phone number given in Rosie's original message. There are apparently several models of the thing, ranging in price from $6.50 for a Kombi "trowel" up to $27 for the largest version.

As Rosie's original message said, you can request a brochure at that phone number and use the brochure as the basis for selecting which model(s) you want. Or you could just discuss the models over the phone and make your selection(s) based on verbal descriptions.

Apparently Kombi doesn't have a website and apparently they don't have any dealers or online sellers.

MM

I spoke with them. My issue is that I broke my last shovel and I need one more durable; they only offer a 1 year garuntee and make no mention of using any material stronger then a $5 Walmart shovel. :(

Mwieder,

I am not surprised that the Kombi shovels are not unusually durable. Durability is not their "claim to fame." Presumably you would buy a Kombi for its unusual cutting design.

I have broken several "ordinary" spades, usually by prying on a heavy rock or root that I encountered, and usually it was the handle that actually broke. In Fort Worth, I had an old "sharp shooter" whose wooden handle was always breaking, so I started keeping a spare handle on hand "just in case." Nowadays they make more durable handles out of fiber glass and such.

You might want to check with Sears and find out what kind of replacement policy they have on their Craftsman shovels.

I need to find a spading fork with a steel-shafted handle, because everytime I use a spading fork it seems that I encounter a rock that I pry out of the ground.

MM

They do make a full size Kombi shovel in steel for $50 plus shipping - maybe that solves your need. I need a transplanting hand shovel.

Mwieder,

There are several good ones available. Two that come to mind are Stainless Steel Round Point Shovel and Stainless Steel Transplant Spade.

MM

I have broken a few shovel shafts. I think the way the digging end is attached to the shaft is just as important as the shaft material itself. The "sleave" part of the metal end should be long and well fitted to distribute the stress.

Well, the Kombi just bent all the way at the handle as I was prying a root ball out of the soil. :(
Now if only they made a toothed trowel/hand shovel out of Carbon Steel all the way through the handle...

Rosie back again. mweider, you have that warranty, should still be in effect. My Kombi broke at the handle a couple of months ago. When I called, he told me about the warranty! For about (+/-) $15.00 he sent me the all steel as a replacement.

I wish they'd make a straight shovel with those greatly wicked cutting edges. I'm not very big, have trouble cutting through sod when I'm putting in an edge.

HTH, Rosie in Sugar Hill, GA

Hi Rosie - I called and left a message so we'll see what happens, but they don't have a steel replacement for the trowel to the best of my knowldge, so I'm still looking for a good one.
thanks!