Buying Gardening Spades and Shovels

A shovel or spade consists of the blade, collar, shaft, and sometimes a handle. Sometimes the only difference between a spade and a shovel is size. A spade tends to be smaller. Quality and durability increase with price. Ash handles tend to be stronger than other woods. Fiberglass handles tend to be lighter in weight. A short collar with a single rivet attaching it to the shaft is not as strong or lasting as a longer collar with multiple rivets.

Shovels are sized according to the dimension of the blade. Size 00 measures 7 x 9 inches. Size 0 measures 6 x 7 1/2 inches. Size 1 measures 8 1/2 x 11 inches. Size 2 measures 9 x 12 inches. There is no standardization among manufacturers, so these dimensions are approximate.

Blades are made from rolled steel or forged steel with forged steel being stronger and providing better wear. Rolled steel blades have the curve known as a frog. Sometimes the collar on the rolled steel blades is open to the wooden shaft which decreases the life of the shaft.

When the blade is flat to the ground, the angle made by the shaft is called the lift. A shovel with no lift is better suited for turning material. A shovel with more lift is better suited for picking up and moving material.

Perennial Spade
The perennial spade is a smaller size to use in the garden when you are sitting or kneeling. The short handle makes it easier to maneuver among plants. It is ideal for digging small holes in tight spaces in loose soil.

Flat Edge Spade
The flat edge spade is used to cut sod, clean up the edge of a garden bed, and lift smaller amounts of material. This spade is a good choice if the amount of work is not too large or when there is limited room to maneuver.

Round Edge Spade
The working end of this spade is long and narrow with a rounded edge. The shape is designed for digging draining trenches. The smaller spade width is also useful for reaching in when planting or lifting beyond the normal arm's length.

Pointed Edge Shovel
This is the work horse of shovels. This is the shovel of choice when sturdiness is needed to cut through heavy soils that are compacted or rocky. The shafts can be made of wood or fiberglass. The shaft can be long (up to 54 inches) or short. The shaft can be straight, angled, or curved. There may be a D-shaped handle or no handle. The handle may be wide enough to fit one hand or two hands. The back edge of the shovel may be open or have a rolled step to add foot-power to the digging. Some shovel blades feature holes that drain off water for digging in water logged soils.

Square Edge Shovel
The square edge makes this shovel good at scooping up material that needs to be moved from here to there. The shafts can be made of wood or fiberglass. The shafts can be straight or curved. The shaft comes in a variety of heights. The handles tend to be D-shaped and can be a combination of metal and wood. The handle may be wide enough to fit one hand or two hands.

The best shovel to buy is the one that fits the size of the person who will use it, the size of the job to be accomplished, and the space to work. Better quality tools is always the better investment.

Sources
Garden Tools and Blacksmith by Bob Denman, http://www.redpigtools.com/servlet/the-template/articles/Page

How to Select the Right Shovel, video featuring Bob Denman, http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-select-the-Right-Shovel-1558