Garden Tools and Shovels
When I walked into the Garden pavilion area of the National Hardware Show in the summer of 1998, I could not believe the enormous variety of different garden tools that are out there for you. You would need a very large truck to transport a single sample of each shovel, rake, spade, fork, hoe, etc. that I saw. Some were marginal quality, but most of the garden and digging tools I saw were first class.
You Rarely See Them
Retailers, hardware stores, even large home centers only dedicate so much square footage of floor area to certain items. They have to do this to make money. We - the consumers - suffer as a result. I would venture to say that if you go to your local garden tool retailer, you will see MAYBE 1 percent of the shovels, spades, tools , etc. that are available. To prove this point, I just opened the Ames Lawn and Garden Tool catalog. If I did my math correctly, they have nearly 700 products alone. Add these to the thousands of other shovels, spades, etc. out there and you could fill a large store with just shovels and spades!
The Solution
If you want to get specialized shovels, tools, etc. it takes some work. You need to get the product catalogs and then find out if the manufacturer will sell direct to you. There is a good chance that you will be directed to a local distributor who will process your order. The problem with this method is that it can take weeks to make a simple purchase. It is also a lot of work.
D Handles
When you look at shovels and spades pay attention to the handles. Some have a pole handle. These can slip in your hand if you try to rotate the shovel blade for a reason. Certain shovels that I own have D handles. These handles have a small grip that is oriented 90 degrees to the shaft that connects the handle to the shovel blade. The shaft splits as it nears the handle so the small grip has two attachment points. The D handle shovels and spades give you enormous control when digging. Newer models even have a cushioned grip to reduce impact as you drive the shovel into the soil.
Fiberglass Handles
These handles are simply fantastic. They are available in different levels of quality with the more expensive ones being thicker. Some even have a two component shaft giving even more strength. The fiberglass handles, if coupled with a strong steel blade that doesn't bend will give you a shovel that can last 100 years or more.
Currently all of my shovels have wooden handles. If you want to maintain a wooden handle you need to periodically clean it, sand it and re-coat it with urethane or a synthetic resin penetrating water repellent. These coatings keep the wood from drying out. Dried wood handles can fatigue and crack over time.
Hollow vs Solid Backs
Have you been aggravated before when the back of a shovel gets packed with wet mud? This adds weight and is tough to clean out. Certain manufacturers offer shovels with a welded plate in this area. It creates a solid back to the shovel that eliminates clumped and packed mud.
The Cadillacs
Shovels that got my attention were the stainless steel ones and the old fashioned forged spades. The thickness of the steel used in the blades makes a huge difference. I have cracked several regular spades in my time. Spend the extra money and get a better shovel. You will never regret it!
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