SPADE:
The spade needs no introduction; it's there for digging only on necessity. I did tend to use a small stainless steel border spade because I found it to be strong and light to carry, a grafter is another useful spade usually weighs a fair bit more than a border spade but if you find yourself digging on a regular basis this is the ideal tool for you, but beware you can start weighing yourself down with too many tools.I have now purchased a Bulldog Rabbitting/Premier spade(see links to this site) which is very light,strong and also comes with a 10 year guarantee.This spade is perfect it is both the above in one.
A relatively new item to my essentials is a good pair of secateurs which has proved invaluble when clearing bramble and tree roots.